CenTex SHRM upcoming events

May Luncheon - Defining Psychological Safety & Human-Centered Leadership (13 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

Clarena Tobon

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

This session opens with a high-energy, movement-based icebreaker designed to foster instant connection and psychological safety. Participants will see a slide with a range of music genres (e.g., hip hop, country, jazz, R&B, classical). They’ll move around the room to find others who share a similar taste in music and form small “music crews.” Each group will create a fun name for themselves—and they can choose to either share the name or perform a quick intro (totally optional and pressure-free).

We’ll then repeat the activity with food preferences, allowing for new connections and deeper engagement. The goal is simple but powerful: to show how connection can be built through shared interests—and how psychological safety often begins with low-stakes, human moments. This sets the tone for the rest of the session on human-centered leadership.

SPEAKER BIO

Clarena Tobon is a speaker, facilitator, and resilience advocate who helps individuals and communities rise with courage, connection, and clarity. A nonprofit leader and grief-informed storyteller, she draws from her lived experiences to create spaces of healing and empowerment. Clarena serves as Interim Co-Executive Director at ASHwell, where she champions health equity, emotional literacy, and community-centered impact.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.

June Luncheon (VIRTUAL) - Upskilling as Preventive Maintenance: Building Capability, Engagement, and Retention in a VUCA World (10 Jun 2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

MATT EICHMANN

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

This session will help HR professionals and business leaders reframe upskilling as a preventive maintenance strategy, one that improves engagement, reduces turnover and builds internal capability in an increasingly volatile and uncertain environment. The discussion will be practical, applicable across industries and grounded in real operating experience.

Setting the Context: Why Upskilling Matters Now
The Business Cost of Under-Upskilling
Upskilling as Preventive Maintenance
Role-Based Upskilling Framework
Assessing and Developing Capability at Each Level
Practical Takeaways for HR and Business Owners

SPEAKER BIO

Matt Eichmann is the founder of Catalyst Point Leadership Advisors, where he helps organizations build leadership capability that drives results.

With more than 25 years of experience across commercial, industrial, and operational environments, Matt has led global teams as a Business General Manager, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer, and earlier as a Marine Corps Officer. Throughout his career, he saw a consistent challenge: capable people are often promoted into leadership roles without being prepared for the shift.

His work is grounded in three core beliefs: clarity beats complexity, trust is operational, and performance improves when friction is removed. Today, Matt partners with HR leaders, executives, and owner-led businesses to develop leaders who think clearly, communicate effectively, and take purposeful action—turning better leadership into measurable performance.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.

July Luncheon (VIRTUAL) - Let’s Bring the L-Word Back into the Workplace (and No, I Don’t Mean Layoffs) (8 Jul 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

Lisa Blanton

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

In today’s workplaces, stress is high, trust is fragile, and leaders are expected to sustain engagement while navigating difficult conversations and minimizing risk. Yet one of the most powerful leadership capabilities has quietly disappeared from our professional vocabulary: love.

In this interactive 60-minute session, HR professionals will explore how bringing the “L-word” back into the workplace—defined not as romance, but as intentional humanity, curiosity, and care—strengthens engagement and retention while also functioning as a proactive risk management strategy. Drawing from executive leadership experience and personal insight into what it means to feel safe at work, the speaker illustrates how authenticity, language, and presence shape psychological safety. Participants will examine how everyday leadership behaviors influence employee engagement, retention, and employee relations outcomes. Through guided reflection and practical application, attendees will learn how to help leaders shift conversations from judgment to curiosity, reducing people-related risks that contribute to disengagement, turnover, and escalated employee relations. Virtual Experience Highlights: Not a webinar—this is an interactive virtual session using breakout rooms, chat, and facilitated dialogue to keep participants actively engaged.

Objective 1

Identify leadership behaviors that increase or reduce people-related risk impacting engagement, retention, and employee relations.

Objective 2

Apply practical tools to shift workplace conversations from judgment to curiosity, strengthening psychological safety and trust.

Objective 3

Coach leaders to use intentional language and presence to proactively prevent disengagement, turnover, and escalation of employee relations issues.

SPEAKER BIO

Lisa Blanton, MBA, SHRM-SCP, is a senior executive leader, speaker, and business advisor with more than 30 years of experience as a COO, CFO, and CHRO across entrepreneurial and multi-site organizations. She specializes in helping HR professionals and leaders reduce people-related risk by strengthening leadership behaviors, communication, and psychological safety. As Founder and CEO of Austin Alliance Group, Lisa currently serves as Texas SHRM Co-Director of Certification. She brings both executive leadership experience and lived insight into workplace safety and authenticity, and will be accompanied by her trained service dog, Chloe, during the session. Lisa is also a Certified Virtual Master Presenter, recognized for delivering highly engaging, interactive virtual experiences that foster connection, learning, and meaningful participation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.

August Luncheon - Would You Follow You? (12 Aug 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

MELINDA STALLINGS

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

COMING SOON

SPEAKER BIO

COMING SOON

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.

September Luncheon - Info Coming Soon (9 Sep 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

COMING SOON

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

COMING SOON

SPEAKER BIO

COMING SOON

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.

October Luncheon - Where Are All the Great Leaders? And what you can do to help! (14 Oct 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

Dr. Lucas Loafman

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

The desire for effective leadership has seemingly been growing across society for several years. In August 2025, U.S. News & World Report published troubling results from a Harris Poll conducted on public views of leadership. First, 60%+ of Americans didn’t see leaders they wanted to emulate in public service, health care, education, or business. Second, and most troubling for organizations, is that “72% of adults agree that the U.S. is experiencing a business leadership crisis.” Additionally, well-known authors such as Stephen M.R. Covey and John C. Maxwell have focused on leadership deficiencies in their most recent books. Given significant quantitative evidence and expert opinion that paint a poor picture of leadership across society, what can we do about it?

This presentation will initially focus on defining leadership and, more importantly, distinguishing it from management. Unfortunately, the two terms are often incorrectly used interchangeably. Leadership is a function of management, but not all managers are good leaders. Otherwise, this discussion wouldn’t be necessary. Then, we’ll examine what organizations can do to improve the state of leadership. Some options that may come to mind are surprisingly limited, yet others are simple and cost-effective.

SPEAKER BIO

Professor Loafman graduated with a BBA in Management from Abilene Christian University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Business Administration from Texas Tech University. He’s completed twenty-one years as a full-time faculty member and eighteen years at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, where he is a tenured Professor of Management. He served for almost 10 years in various administrative roles, including as Chair of the Management and Marketing Department, Associate Dean, and twice as Interim Dean of the College of Business Administration. Among many publications on law and education, he’s published two articles in the prestigious American Business Law Journal (ABLJ) and another in the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy. He is a past President of the Employment Law Section of the Academy of Legal Studies in Business and active in community service, having served on the Board of Directors of the Killeen ISD Education Foundation, Bell County Sportsman's Club, Slice of Heaven Educational Farm, and was the Merit Badge Coordinator for the Chisholm Trail District of the Boy Scouts of America. He continues to do numerous community service activities with First Baptist Church of Salado.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.

November Luncheon - Employer Branding That Works: Building Authentic Connections for Talent Success (4 Nov 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

SPEAKER

ALEX HER

PRESENTATION SUMMARY

Employer branding isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a strategic advantage. In today’s competitive talent market, organizations of all sizes need to stand out authentically. This session will explore practical ways to create and communicate a compelling employer brand that resonates with diverse audiences, including veterans and underrepresented groups. We’ll cover how recruitment marketing and inclusive messaging can strengthen your talent pipeline and drive business success—without falling into token gestures.

Key Takeaways:

Understand what employer branding is and why it matters for organizations of any size.
Learn how to connect recruitment marketing with diversity initiatives to attract a broader talent pool.
Discover strategies for authentic representation beyond “check-the-box” posts for cultural moments.
Gain tips for measuring impact using data-driven approaches that show real business value.
Explore how smaller organizations can compete with big brands by leveraging employer branding effectively."

SPEAKER BIO

Alex is a global employer brand storyteller, currently residing in Austin, TX, and enjoys all things employer branding, recruitment marketing, and candidate experience. Outside of work, he's also a founder of CommonThread (global community for EB/Comms/Candidate Experience), does public speaking, and provides mentoring advice to fellow practitioners. When he's not working he enjoys traveling, being with family, music, karaoke, movies, podcasts, and mentoring others.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit our "Sponsor" page for details and benefits! CLICK HERE

USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES

Attendance and participation in CenTex SHRM events constitute an agreement by the attendee to CenTex SHRM's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, and/or electronic reproductions. Images and videos may be used on the CenTex SHRM’s website, social media and for other marketing purposes. Attendees waive, release and forever discharge CenTex SHRM from and against claims or actions arising out of or resulting from any use of attendee’s image. For questions or concerns regarding the use of your image, please contact centexshrm@gmail.com.