SHRM Foundation Announces Inaugural “HR Tomorrow” Class

Ten emerging human resources professionals are members of the SHRM Foundation’s inaugural HR Tomorrow leadership program. Training programs and activities are intended for SHRM members with two to four years of human resources experience who belong to at least one of the following underrepresented groups:

• Black, Indigenous and people of color.
• Individuals affected by justice.
• LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Men.
• People with Disabilities.
• Veterans, military partners and caregivers.

Participants in the one-year program have access to all Foundation mentoring activities, a free year of SHRM professional membership, a grant to take the SHRM certification exam during the Winter 2024 cycle- 2025 and access to the SHRM learning system. They also receive funding to attend the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2024 in Chicago, SHRM INCLUSION 2024 in Denver, and the SHRM Talent Conference & Expo 2025 in Nashville.

The goal of the program is to strengthen the HR field by supporting emerging professionals from groups currently underrepresented in the HR sector to develop leadership qualities. This in turn will help them strengthen the sector with more opportunities, growth, diversity and innovation.

“The SHRM Foundation is committed to equipping students and emerging professionals with the tools and resources they need to succeed as they embark on their HR career journey,” said Foundation President Wendi Safstrom. SHRM.

After completing the program, participants will become mentors for future HR Tomorrow cohorts.

Group members

The members of the 2024-2025 class are:

Eduardo Celis

Eduardo Celis is a first-generation human resources professional from Idaho. He is an academic recruiter for the Idaho National Laboratory, a nuclear research center under the U.S. Department of Energy, based in Idaho Falls.

He holds a master’s degree in organizational learning and adult leadership as well as a bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resources management. He has also earned several certificates and is a board member of the Idaho Latino Scholarship Foundation.

HR Tomorrow’s emphasis on networking with peers and experts in the field is “invaluable,” he said.

“These relationships will provide me with diverse perspectives and ideas that will be crucial to my professional development.” I am confident that HR Tomorrow will provide me with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in my human resources career,” said Celis.

Riniya Countiss, SHRM-CP

Riniya Countiss is the Human Resources Coordinator at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences.

She holds a master’s degree in human resource management and a certificate in leadership and management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Salisbury University. In addition to her SHRM-CP, she holds several SHRM specialty designations.

Countiss is the Director of Social Media and Marketing for Maryland SHRM (MD SHRM) and is on the planning committee for the 2024 MD SHRM Conference. She is also a member of the Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland (HRASM).

“One thing I would particularly like to gain from my experience (at HR Tomorrow) is to gain the skills and knowledge needed to eventually become an HR manager,” she said. “I believe this program will provide me with connections and experiences that will adequately prepare me to take on a leadership role in the near future.”

Ali Donnelly

Ali Donnelly is a military wife who accompanied her husband on 17 trips around the world during the 25 years he was on active duty.

She worked in retail, participating in Gap Inc.’s 18-month work-study program and rising through the Gap management ranks to hold several positions at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic.

When Donnelly’s husband retired from active duty, she began a career with SRS Distribution, where she served as a Regional Recruiter and Regional Human Resources Generalist and is currently a Human Resources Business Associate.

She earned an MBA with a concentration in human resources from the University of Phoenix and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history from Fayetteville State University.

She is a licensed real estate agent and home stager and also operates a handmade silver jewelry business.

Marcos Garcia

Marcos R. Garcia is deputy director of the Workplace Equality Program at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in Washington, DC, where he directs the Corporate Equality Index, the national policy benchmarking tool LGBTQ+ inclusive social practices, practices and benefits.

Garcia consults daily with business leaders to address workplace inclusion gaps and provides training on key issues such as allyship, pronoun use, and respectful workplace interactions .

Garcia holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia University in New York.

“I look forward to learning how to develop and empower the leaders around me to succeed in the workplace,” he said of participating in HR Tomorrow.

Dennis Green, SHRM-CP

Dennis Green is an associate human resources business partner for lending operations at Figure, a financial technology services company based in Reno, Nevada.

Green was previously a human experience consultant and human resources generalist at PlayStation.

He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno. He volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Silver Dollar Court, a charitable and social organization, and is vice chair of the City of Reno Charter Committee.

Green said he was particularly interested in the leadership skills he hopes to learn through HR Tomorrow.

“I am excited to enhance my expertise in people strategy and building influence, particularly at the executive level,” he said. “Mastering the art of contributing effectively to key business discussions is essential to my professional development at this stage of my career. »

Dalton Johnson

Dalton Johnson is a Senior Human Resources Generalist for the City of Missoula, Montana.

He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Montana School of Law, a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications and nonprofit administration from the University of Montana, and a bachelor’s degree in Associate of Applied Science, Accounting and Business Technology from Helena College. His campus leadership and involvement in student government culminated in a gubernatorial appointment as a student regent on the Montana Board of Regents and an appointment as a commissioner of the Montana State Library.

“I hope (this) program can equip me with the skills to lead difficult conversations about internal and external inequities so I can ensure all voices are heard.” I look forward to the networking and mentoring opportunities,” he said.

Richelle Johnson

Richelle Johnson is the Remote Operations Manager for Earthseed Permaculture Farm & Education Center in Sonoma County, California, with responsibilities that include human resources, operations, and consulting-related duties.

She was previously a brand consultant and director of operations for consumer packaged goods companies Malai Ice Cream and BakedNYC and worked in advertising as an account manager and account supervisor for the finance, government and corporate sectors. telecommunications.

Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in communications from Florida State University in Tallahassee.

The HR Tomorrow program “will provide mentorship, networking, experiences and resources to help me transition into a human resources-focused role.” The only thing I hope to get: advice,” she said.

Matt King

Matt King is Senior Director of Organizational Development at MBX Biosciences in Carmel, Indiana.

He holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree in religious studies with a concentration in peace and conflict from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. He also studied abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

“The community, relationships and continuous improvement attracted me to the HR Tomorrow program,” said King, who works on small teams primarily in startup environments.

This program “provided me with the opportunity to not only stay up to date with best practices and trends in the HR field, but also to meet and build relationships with other HR professionals and experts,” he said. he declared. “My hope in being part of this first cohort is to successfully complete my SHRM certification and establish lasting connections with current and future HR leaders who will have a direct impact on the ever-changing world of work.” »

Seychelles Hercules Padgett

Seychelle Hercules Padgett is an HR Business Analyst (HRBA) at DKW Communications Inc., a technology company in Washington, DC

Before becoming an HRBA, she was a technical writer on government contracts for DKW; worked in training, marketing and operations for Chick-Fil-A restaurants in the DC metro area; and assisted nonprofit and for-profit organizations with their public relations and corporate social responsibility efforts.

She holds a master’s degree in human resources management and graduate certificates in project management and strategic communications from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international commerce, business administration and communications from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia.

The HR Tomorrow program will provide him with the opportunity to strengthen his personal vision of being and developing HR leaders “who are catalysts for change, employee advocates, strategic partners and guardians of justice, equity and ethical practices,” Padgett said.

Fall of the Atlantis wig

Atlantis Wigfall specializes in the integration and management of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) as an HR Coordinator at SOME (So Others Might Eat).

Prior to working at SOME, she managed HR functions at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and worked for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, DC.

Wigfall holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bowie State University in Maryland.

She is the owner and creative director of Walking Testimonee, a mentoring program for girls and women ages 16-25 that she founded almost 15 years ago. Based in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area, it focuses on developing essential life skills and promoting leadership development.

“The opportunity to develop my knowledge and leadership skills in human resources, as well as represent diversity in the industry,” attracted her to HR Tomorrow, Wigfall said.