March Virtual: Employee Engagement

Elizabeth is the North American Head of Strategic Benefits. She is a dynamic senior-level lead in benefits and wellbeing with 20 years of experience in benefits program design, development, and strategic implementation. She has amassed extensive knowledge of relevant regulations and legislation related to employee benefits. Elizabeth is focused on meeting organizational goals and staying ahead of the curve by thinking objectively and globally. She maintains clear communication with her team and is adept at troubleshooting while effectively managing relationships at all levels of the organization.

Rochelle is the Sr. Director, Talent & Organization Development at Under Armour, Inc. (UA) one of the largest and most progressive athletic footwear and apparel companies in the world.  Under Armour is based in Baltimore, MD.  At UA, Rochelle is responsible for Global Leadership Development,  Talent and Succession Planning, Executive Coaching and Assessments, Organizational Effectiveness, Engagement, Performance Management, Onboarding and all Functional L&D.  In this role she is responsible for creating and implementing the Global Talent Development strategy, creating UA Core Competency and Leadership Expectations Model, developing teammate core and functional skills, leading executive talent and succession planning reviews, developing the org effectiveness philosophy tools & resources to lead efforts to build high performing teams and support change management efforts.  She also serves as an internal OD consultant to Sr. Leaders and supports driving a winning culture.  

Rochelle is very active in her community.  She is currently a board member for Transforming Lives Community Development Corporation (TLCDC) and Board Co-Chair for Maryland Mentors.   She served for 10 years as the Ministry Leader for the New Psalmist Baptist Church Leadership Development Institute a 10,000 member church community. Rochelle is married to Bryan Simmons a Baltimore native and she enjoys running, reading, sewing and traveling in her free time.  She attended Hampton University in Hampton, VA for her Bachelors where she studied Business Management and Marketing.  She completed two post graduate programs at Johns Hopkins University for Change Management and Women in Leadership and received her Master’s of Science in Organization Development from American University in Washington, DC.  Her greatest joys are traveling with her husband, spending time with family and helping others discover their “aha” moments that influence change to become the best version of themselves.

Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza is a freelance journalist and From Day One contributing editor who writes about work, the job market, and women’s experiences in the workplace. Her work has appeared in the BBC, The Washington Post, Quartz at Work, Fast Company, and Digiday’s Worklife.

With a solid background in HR transformation, my journey has been about enhancing service delivery through technological innovation and operational efficiency. At Amtrak, the focus is on the full spectrum of hire to retire technology, ensuring a seamless employee experience.

In prior roles, we have revamped HR operations and broken down silos, resulting in significant gains in efficiency. By partnering with cross-functional leaders, we've established robust standard operating procedures for data management, aligning with compliance and mitigating risk, while fostering a high-performing team culture that values mentorship and collaboration.

Rebecca Tinsley is passionate about helping companies unlock the true potential they have within – their talent. With a background as a trained scientist, she has successfully transitioned from research and development to helping leaders craft and implement strategies that elevate the employee experience. As Vice President of People Enablement, Rebecca is driven by the opportunity to bridge the gap between talent and the organization, fostering stronger connections and impactful growth. Her expertise spans culture, engagement, well-being, strategic organizational planning, and leadership development. Rebecca’s team designs and delivers programs throughout
the entire employee journey that empower employees to thrive and be their best selves. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys quality time with her family, serving at her church, volunteering in her community, and traveling the world—having visited all seven continents.

Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. She is a contributing columnist for Harvard Business Review and her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

Rebecca frequently appears on national television and radio and as a moderator at conferences. Originally from Maine, she's a graduate of Wesleyan University. She lives in Boston’s South End with her family.

Amina Lobban is Head of Culture, Engagement & HR Business Excellence, Global Manufacturing, Supply & Quality at Takeda. She is an experienced strategic business leader with a career spanning over 20 years across different countries, industries, and functional areas, including HR, business operations, program management, governance and regulations, budgeting, and integration.

At her core, Amina is passionate about creating community and fostering connections among people. She does this not only through her role at Takeda, but through her volunteer work. Amina is the Global and U.S. Region Lead of Takeda's Gender Parity Network ERG, a Strategic Advisor to the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Ambassador Program, serves on the Leadership Council of The Boston Club, and is a Board Member of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. Amina was named a 2022 HBA Rising Star at Takeda and a 2024 INvolve Future Leader Role Model in recognition of her leadership and impact.

Adam Weber is an executive coach who helps leaders manage pressure, sift through competing inputs, and assert meaningful change while leading as their authentic selves.

Adam knows the challenges of leadership firsthand. He’s co-founded and successfully exited two tech companies—Emplify, an employee engagement platform, and Bluebridge, a mobile app platform. With over 15 years of C-level experience in leadership and culture, Adam brings practical insights and deep expertise to his coaching practice.

He is the best-selling author of Lead Like a Human and has been recognized as a “Top Voice” by LinkedIn and a “Rising Star” by Business Insider. His expertise has been featured in HR Executive Magazine, Forbes, and Fast Company.

Adam holds a master’s degree in organizational communication from Ball State University. He lives in Zionsville, Indiana, with his wife, two sons, and their dog, Poppy. In his free time, he’s an avid pickleball player.

Derek Greenacre's diverse experience in the insurance sector showcases a well-rounded skill set. His expertise in claims handling, global operations management, specialty underwriting, talent acquisition, and learning and development highlights his versatility within the industry. One of his notable achievements is the creation of a best-in-class underwriter training program, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the skills of professionals in the field.

Derek's focus on the employee value proposition demonstrates a keen interest in the human aspect of the business. His role in talent acquisition at Markel North America, where he oversaw the hiring of 1400 people annually, showcases his understanding of talent challenges and commitment to developing inclusive talent pipelines. His innovative solutions for attracting and retaining talent, especially individuals historically underrepresented in the industry, indicate a forward-thinking approach to addressing industry-wide diversity and inclusion issues.

In his current role as Head of Talent Management and Employee Experience, Derek continues to leverage his technical, business, and leadership abilities. By bridging the gap between HR and business functions, he aims to create a more consultative and proactive environment. This approach is essential for developing and implementing an industry-leading talent attraction and retention strategy that aligns with the company's goals.

Jason Simmonds is the Global Head of Employee Experience at Morgan Stanley. Upon joining Morgan Stanley in 2021, Jason served as the Global Head of Strategy & Engagement for Corporate Services; followed by Chief of Staff to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

Jason has extensive experience in strategy consulting advising companies on organizational transformation, change management, and strategic communications. Jason spent six years at Monitor Deloitte, leading projects across a number of sectors, including: financial services, public sector, and defense.

Jason earned a Master’s Degree in International Economics from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a Bachelor Degree from Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service.

Zach Smith is the Chief Activation Officer + Co-Founder of Activate 180. He has been a trusted voice in mindset, career optimization, and leadership coaching for over 10 years. Zach has coached thousands of employees across mid-market and enterprise-level organizations, aligning their careers with true calling and passion to create total life fulfillment.

Before becoming an award-winning coach, Zach spent more than 10 years in senior marketing and client relationship management roles for well-known, international consumer beverage brands. Zach trained with the Erikson International Coaching, graduating from their highest-level course. He is a sought-after keynote speaker who regularly appears before audiences at industry conferences and events.

Zach currently resides in San Diego, California with his partner Rachel. He has a passion for an active lifestyle, photography, art, travel, and sports like rock climbing, snowboarding, and yoga. Zach received a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Jackie Dube has over 2 decades of human resources and talent optimization experience. She has dedicated her career to the belief that the heart of any successful business lies in its people. Currently serving as the Chief People Officer at the Predictive Index, she applies a mix of analytical rigor and human centric strategy to build high-impact, high performing teams. She is a staunch advocate for proactive people management focusing on driving results by equipping companies with the tools to attract, retain and develop top talent - all within the framework of an inspiring, fun and vibrant company culture. A graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, as well as Psychology, she relishes the opportunity to cultivate the full potential of every employee she works with. 

Having started as a recruiter in October of 2017, and scaled the organization's talent acquisition function as PI grew from 70 employees in 2017 to where they are today (210 employees). He is incredibly proud of the culture AND results at PI, and believes being excellent at both is not just possible, but essential. He's responsible for making it easier for teams and managers to do the right thing in all things people-related. Prior to working at PI, he worked in education, and in an education advocacy non-profit. In his current role, he manages a team of 4 who cover recruitment, employee experience, and benefits/compliance/payroll. He attended the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and would sing you the fight song if you asked nicely. He is based in Providence, RI.

Liz leads Employee Experience for Mattel, the world’s most iconic global toy and family entertainment company, based in El Segundo, California, where she empowers a culture of purpose, passion and play. She’s a team leader, program/experience designer, thought partner across People & Culture and the business, and certified coach bringing innovative programs that enable employees to be their best whole selves at work and at home. She also leads global onboarding, listening strategy, workplace experience, and coaching programs, including external partnerships and delivering group coaching experiences around balance, burnout, and thriving as a working parent.

Liz holds an ACC-level coaching certification with the ICF, a master’s degree from Purdue University, and is currently pursuing certification in sound healing. Outside of work, Liz spends most of her time with her husband and three young children at their home in Carmel, Indiana, playing pickleball, running soundbaths, and writing fiction.

Fatma Ghedira is a facilitator, somatic practitioner and community builder with the mission of creating more connection and safety in the world. Fatma is currently Head of Community at ThinkHuman, a leadership development boutique firm creating and facilitating heart-centered learning experiences. In the past 10 years, Fatma worked with renowned organizations, leaders and artists building bridges between the Southern and Western hemispheres. As to her credentials, Fatma holds two master degrees; one in Forensic Psychology ,a second in Social and Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a yoga, sound therapy, lie detection, conflict resolution and body language training certifications

Kat is an HR Leader based in Los Angeles with a career that has been focused in high-growth entertainment & tech startups. Her expertise in fast-paced, evolving environments has helped organizations attract top talent and navigate the complexities of rapid expansion. She currently serves as a Senior HR Manager at Create Music Group.

Aaron is the Founder & CEO of Carver Edison, a leading financial technology company helping forward-thinking employers solve the affordability crisis for their employees. Carver Edison’s patented technology, Cashless Participation®, eliminates the upfront cost of participating in employee stock plans—enabling employers to build employee wealth, improve retention, and enhance well-being. Today, Carver Edison supports $2.7 billion of authorized compensation on its platform, with users in more than 30 countries. Since launching, Carver Edison has been recognized for its impact on financial empowerment and workplace equity. Aaron’s has been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider, and he was named a Rising FinTech Star by Banking Tech Awards USA. Prior to founding Carver Edison, Aaron was the first investment professional at Edgehill Endowment Partners, an institutional investment firm managing the endowments of non-profits. During his tenure, Edgehill’s assets grew from $150 million to over $4 billion. Aaron holds a B.S. in Business Management with a dual concentration in finance and economics from Babson College. A native New Yorker and product of the NYC public school system, he is also a former baseball player, self-taught full-stack programmer, and avid traveler. He holds FINRA Series 24, 7, and 63 licenses.

Joy Fajardo is passionate about creating meaningful connections and nurturing thriving workplace cultures. With a robust background in marketing, brand strategy, and customer experience, she brings a distinctive blend of expertise to every endeavor.

As a Brand Experience Manager, Joy understands that a company’s brand isn’t just external—it’s deeply rooted in its internal culture. She specializes in helping organizations align their internal brand with their values, ensuring that employees experience the same authenticity, engagement, and purpose as external audiences. By implementing people-first strategies, she enhances internal communication, fosters engagement, and transforms workplace culture.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Joy is dedicated to making a positive difference in her community. A proud advocate for child nutrition in her native Philippines, she combines empathy, creativity, and determination to build better workplaces and uplift communities.