Concurrent Session

As Director of Government Affairs and Corporate Citizenship, Deriece K. Harrington represents PepsiCo before state and local governments in the Mid-Atlantic and key national organizations. In her role, she engages with community and government officials on key regulatory and legislative issues impacting the company. While developing and maintaining key relationships with stakeholders in her region and around the country. Prior to her role at PepsiCo, she served as the Deputy Executive Director of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, where she managed the day-to-day operations of the Caucus and critical relationships with corporate and nonprofit partners and legislative members from around the country. As a political science graduate of Morgan State University, she began her career as the Executive Director for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. (LBCM). She was instrumental in implementing the Caucus’ agenda while operating as an intermediary between its constituents and community partners. Her tenure at the LBCM led her to gain her Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy and Management and her work with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. As the Chamber’s Vice President of Government Affairs, she advocated on behalf of their members in the areas of employment law, energy, environment, transportation, and tax. Over the years, Deriece has participated in several leadership fellowship programs, including the American Young Professional Leadership Exchange Program (2022 Canada Exchange), and the Council of State Governments Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy to name a few. She has also won numerous awards like the Daily Record’s Leading Women in Maryland, Top 40 under 40 in Prince George’s County by the Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund and a 2018 Rising Star by the Living Classrooms Foundation. In 2021, she was named one of the Top 40 under 40 Very Important Professionals by The Daily Record. Deriece currently serves on several community and national boards and committees, including A Wider Circle, the Women and Girls Foundation, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, and the Missing Pink Breast Cancer Alliance. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In her “free time,” Deriece enjoys listening to audiobooks, watching home improvement shows, and traveling with her family. Deriece is a native of Jamaica, New York, and currently resides in Southern Maryland with her husband and daughters.

Jason Kanter is the HR and Labor Policy Executive on IBM’s Government and Regulatory Affairs team, focusing on issues related to the use of AI in employment, labor and employment rules, and employee benefits such as paid leave, health care, and retirement programs. Prior to joining IBM, Jason worked on Capitol Hill for 15 years. Most recently, he worked as a professional staff member on the Democratic staff of the Ways and Means Committee’s Worker and Family Support Subcommittee, where he played a key role in the effort to create a national paid leave program and the enactment of the historic expansion and enhancement of unemployment insurance due to COVID-19. He has also worked as a policy advisor on the Joint Economic Committee, at the Congressional Affairs Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, and in the offices of U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). In these positions, Jason worked on a range of economic and workforce policy and legislative issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and government from Connecticut College and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, where he was an Irving B. Harris fellow. A proud native of Swampscott, MA, Jason currently resides in Alexandria, VA, with his wife and two young children.

Lynne is Senior Leave Management Legal and Compliance Counsel at Voya Financial. In this role she advises on regulatory and compliance matters applicable to leave management and accommodations. As an employment attorney, Lynne has many years of experience counseling management and Human Resources professionals on all aspects of workplace issues including the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Paid Family and Medical Leave laws and general employment policies and procedures. Prior to her current role, Lynne held roles as senior counsel for a software company advising on compliance for the absence and accommodations products and as a labor and employment attorney for a major corporation. Lynne frequently speaks at industry conferences about legal and compliance issues related to absence management. She has also written extensively on FMLA, ADA, PFML and related areas of leave management. Lynne received her undergraduate degree from American University and her law degree from Suffolk University Law School.

Scott Woods is a Vice President of Policy & Research at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), where he manages a broad portfolio that focuses on improving patient access and affordability for medicines across public programs and the commercial market, driving down costs in the supply chain, and health equity issues. He is the founding executive sponsor of the PRIDE Umbrella, PhRMA’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group.

Prior to joining PhRMA in 2020, Scott was an Assistant Vice President of State Affairs at the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), where provided strategic legislative and regulatory advocacy for PCMA and its member companies in states across the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Southeast and before various state-based intergovernmental groups, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and various attorneys general organizations. Earlier in his career, he held policy positions at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Avalere Health.

Scott holds a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University, a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law, and is currently pursuing an M.S.Ed. in School and Mental Health Counseling at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. He and his husband, Ryan, live in Washington, D.C.

James Gelfand became president and CEO of The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) in April 2023, having previously served as its senior and then executive vice president for eight years. He was promoted to the position of president in June 2022. James oversees all aspects of the association’s activities, which focus on programs that shape federal and state health and retirement benefit policies, and that impact ERIC member companies’ ability to operate under federal ERISA protection from a patchwork of conflicting state and local laws. He has brought prominence to ERIC among federal and state lawmakers, thought leaders, and major companies in the U.S. and globally. James provides strategic leadership to ERIC’s legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; membership and partnerships; and communications and operations, to achieve ERIC’s mission and implement the directives of ERIC’s Board of Directors. James first joined ERIC in 2005, when he was appointed a policy research associate, then health policy research manager for more than two years. He next led health policy efforts at the U.S Chamber of Commerce and served on Capitol Hill as counsel to Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) on the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee, and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) on the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee. James also served as an associate project director for Luntz Global Partners, where he helped spearhead the firm’s political practice during the 2014 election, and then led the federal affairs team at the March of Dimes Foundation, where he successfully advanced policies critical to the health of women and children. James has been recognized as a top industry lobbyist by both the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics and The Hill. Since 2018 he has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Arlington, VA-based Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA). MMHLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the mental health of mothers in the United States, with a focus on national policy and health equity. MMHLA is a staunch advocate for improved mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum. James earned his J.D. at George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Legal Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and son. 

Darrell is a distinguished labor and employment attorney known for his expertise in compliance with national and local labor laws, management best practices, and adapting to legal changes driven by technology and remote work. He provides specialized training to management teams on critical topics, including employee performance, internal investigations, leave laws, and sexual harassment.

With a broad industry focus including healthcare, hospitality, media, and higher education, Darrell excels in business compliance, investigations, labor relations, and trade secrets. His extensive career includes leadership roles at major law firms, serving as a Commissioner with the New York State Civil Service Commission, and working with the National Labor Relations Board.

Darrell’s education includes a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Charles Evans Hughes Fellow and served as Writing and Research Editor for the Human Rights Review. He also holds a B.A. from Fordham University.

A prominent figure in professional circles, Darrell has contributed to founding and leading organizations like the Minority Corporate Counsel Association and the National Employment Law Council. His leadership is recognized through numerous accolades, including listings in The Best Lawyers in America and Crain’s New York Business.

Jack is an accomplished trial lawyer and legal strategist who guides clients through complex challenges, including high-profile and sensitive litigation and government investigations. While serving as Managing Partner of the Tysons Office of McGuireWoods LLP, Jack focuses his practice on civil litigation, regulatory enforcement, and congressional investigations for clients in the defense, technology, federal contracting, higher and K-12 education, and other business sectors.  

Jack has handled a range of complex litigation, investigations, and enforcement matters, including representing clients in congressional investigations. His extensive experience in litigation, investigations, and strategic counseling is particularly deep with respect to defense industry clients and other businesses operating in the federal sector, including emerging companies for which he provides support for continued growth.  

One of Jack’s principal practice areas involves conducting internal investigations and providing counsel on matters pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion, assisting several companies in development and implementation of initiatives in these areas. Jack was one of five civilian members who served on an independent review panel that investigated the command climate and culture at Fort Hood and within the Department of the Army as they related to sexual assault, harassment and crime. After releasing their report, Jack testified before the House Armed Services Committee.  

Jack also provides particularly valuable counsel to companies through growth, particularly in heavily regulated industries, guiding them through legal and regulatory compliance as they transition out of small business status and through graduation from the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program into viable competitive enterprises. He also assists companies with the seating and engagement of fiduciary and advisory boards.  

As a graduate of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point and a U. S. Army Ranger, Jack served on active duty in the U. S. Army and continued his service in the U. S. Army Reserve while earning his J. D. at Pepperdine University School of Law. He served as a law clerk for U. S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. after earlier clerking for Alito at the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.  

An ordained minister, Mr. White has pastored congregations in Savannah, Georgia and San Francisco, California. His commitment to community is further exemplified in his service as Chairman of the Board of the Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation and on the Boards of James Madison University, the Pepperdine University School of Law, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the National Military Families Association, and the American Red Cross Services to Armed Forces Council. Mr. White resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia with his wife and children. 

Anuradha Hebbar is renowned as a trusted advisor to CEOs on inclusion and diversity, bringing over 25 years of strategic leadership in transforming organizations across global, Fortune 500, mid-size, and private equity-backed companies. A seasoned business leader and human capital executive, she has partnered with top executives to embed inclusive practices that drive transformational change, shaping iconic brands such as Major League Baseball, Penske, Millennium Trust Company, Urovant Sciences, Bank of America, and Clariant. Her exceptional commitment to fostering inclusive cultures has earned her prestigious accolades, including being named Chicago United’s “Business Leader of Color 2021,” a 2021 Crain’s “Notable Executive in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” a “2016 Top 100 under 50 Executive Leader” by Diversity MBA, and a “2015 Diversity Leader” by Profiles in Diversity Journal.

Alex Hastings advises companies of all sizes that interact with US federal, state, and local government agencies. He focuses his practice on counseling government contractors in the defense, technology, life sciences, and commercial sectors. Alex has a deep background advising clients in complex government contract M&A deals and routinely guides his clients in regulatory matters facing companies that provide goods or services to government agencies, accept government funding, or otherwise collaborate with government entities.

Craig Leen is a partner at K&L Gates in Washington, DC, in the firm's Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice, and he co-leads the firm’s OFCCP and Affirmative Action Compliance area of focus. His depth of experience spans across federal, state, and local government, as well as the private sector.

Craig previously served as the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), a federal civil rights enforcement agency at the U.S. Department of Labor. In this role, Craig reported directly to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Labor; overseeing approximately 450 employees and a budget of over $105 million, with a mission to ensure compliance by federal contractors with equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination obligations.

During his tenure, OFCCP experienced record years in both enforcement recoveries and compliance assistance, with Craig overseeing three rulemakings and issuance of several technical assistance guides to help employers comply with the law. Likewise, as an agency head at the U.S. DOL, Craig worked directly with numerous other federal agencies, including the Wage & Hour Division (WHD), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the Civil Rights and Federal Programs Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Craig is also a Professor of Government Lawyering and Professorial Lecturer in Law at The George Washington University Law School, and he serves on numerous boards and committees, including as Chair of the Civil & Human Rights Committee of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Co-Chair of the DC Family Support Council, and Vice Chair of the DC Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights. He also serves on the Advisory Board and AI Ethics Council of Eightfold, the Board and Executive Committee of Disability Belongs, and the Advisory Committee of Disability:IN DC Metro.

Craig was previously City Attorney of the City of Coral Gables, and earlier in his career served as Chief of the Appeals Section and then Chief of the Federal Litigation Section at the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office. Craig also was a federal law clerk for the Honorable Robert E. Keeton, District Judge of the District of Massachusetts. Craig is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. 

Stephen Malone is Head of Global Employment Law at Peloton, leading the company's US & UK employment law team from its NYC headquarters. His remit includes advice & counsel, litigation, labor strategy, employee compensation and benefits, and talent negotiations and contracts. Stephen is also a current member of the Thomson Reuters Practical Law Employment Law Advisory Board. He completed undergraduate studies at Northwestern University and law school at the University of Virginia. 

Mary Helen Beard graduated from the Vanderbilt School of Law where she was a founding member and editor of The Journal of Entertainment Law & Practice.  The cited decision of Johnson v. Metro Davidson County School System, 108 F. Supp. 2d 906 (M.D. 2000) is a result of her work in the Vanderbilt Legal Clinic. Ms. Beard began her legal career with the former Weintraub & Stock, P.C. (now Fisher Phillips) and later became an associate attorney at FordHarrison.  She held the positions of Senior Attorney/Employment Litigation with FedEx Express Corporation and Senior Counsel/Labor and Employment with FedEx Corporation, being a business partner and counsel to the most senior executives at the parent company as well as three corporate subsidiaries.  Ms. Beard was the  Senior HR Counsel for HCA Healthcare, where she advised the Chief Human Resources Officer and her senior executive team.  Mary then served as Senior Technology Counsel with HCA Healthcare, excited to merge her over two decades of labor and employment with knowledge of the ever-evolving Technology and Artificial Intelligence legal landscape.  Mary is currently the inaugural Vice-President of Employment and Litigation at Ardent Health where she he will partner with human resources teams and department leaders to provide legal guidance, advise on the development of system policies and procedures, and review and negotiate various legal transactions.

Whether as outside counsel and corporate counsel, Mary has placed a specific emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion within the corporate ranks. Mary recently earned recognition at the Nashville Business Journal’s Leaders in Diversity Awards in the Outstanding Community Voice category. This inaugural Leaders in Diversity class is made up of individuals and companies who are leading the charge to advance diversity and inclusion practices within the Nashville Business Community. Mary was also awarded Nashville Business Journal Best of the Bar Award, being recognized by her fellow lawyers in Nashville for her contributions to her clients and the legal profession.

Committed to making a positive impact in her community, Mary has shared her many talents and leadership expertise with countless professional, civic, and charitable organizations. Mary served as the Tennessee Bar Association Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer. She is also a former co-chair of its’ Labor and Employment Executive Council and the Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee.  She is a Past President of the Napier-Looby Bar Association and the Ben F. Jones Bar Association, both of which are affiliate chapters of the National Bar Association. She is a Fellow of the Nashville Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association and Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Ms. Beard is a former chair and co-chair of the Tennessee Judicial Nominating Commission.  Additionally, Mary serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sexual Assault Center. She serves as a deacon and trustee for Watson Grove Baptist Church. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Parthenon (TN) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. She is an Athena Traditional Award Nominee.

She was awarded the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 Award. She received the Presidential Award from the National Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association.  She has received the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

In her spare time, Mary immensely enjoys  domestic and international travel,  interior decorating, reading, exercising,  community service, and serving as an armchair coach and quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

Carena Lemons, is an attorney with over 21 years of experience practicing law. Carena served on the Board of Directors for Durham Orange Women Attorneys (DOWA) and the Greater Raleigh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She is a former member of the 14th Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee where she investigated bar grievances in her district. Carena currently serves on the Sports and Entertainment Law Council for the North Carolina Bar Association. She focuses her law practice, The Lemons Law Firm, PLLC, on employment law and entertainment law as a litigator and legal advisor. Carena enjoys serving as a volunteer for the North Carolina Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) which she teaches CLEs on mental health and assists lawyers that are dealing with mental health issues. She is also creator and host of a television talk show, an actress, a minister and sings on the praise team at her church. She is married and has two amazing daughters. 

Elizabeth B. Bradley has over fifteen years of experience representing employers and federal contractors in litigation and mediation matters before state and federal agencies and courts, as well as counseling and training private, public, and non-profit employers in all aspects of employment law.

In addition, Ms. Bradley has extensive knowledge and experience in counseling federal contractors in matters relating to OFCCP. She has represented U.S. corporations in successfully defending against OFCCP’s review of the contractor’s utilization rates and compensation practices. Ms. Bradley also has experience in advising employers on wage and hour compliance under federal and state laws; litigating discrimination and retaliation claims advanced under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and comparable state and local statutes; conducting internal investigations involving discrimination complaints; performing wage and hour compliance reviews; and drafting and negotiating employment agreements including non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.

Ms. Bradley has a broad-based practice counseling and representing employers on compliance with federal and state workplace laws and regulations and designing and implementing sound employment practices and policies. Ms. Bradley has broad experience in conducting effective investigations of workplace claims and grievances, including misconduct, discrimination, retaliation, harassment and other claims employers typically face. She has been called upon by clients to conduct corporate internal investigations on sensitive employment matters, including allegations of serious misconduct and sexual harassment charges involving executive personnel. In addition to conducting workplace investigations, Ms. Bradley provides guidance and legal advice to clients handling their investigations in-house. Ms. Bradley has drafted investigation policies and procedures, and sexual harassment and other EEO policies for employers and has counseled employers about their responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other EEO laws.

Prior to joining FortneyScott, Ms. Bradley represented and counseled employers in labor and employment law matters in private practice. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ronald L. Buckwalter on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Ms. Bradley is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, as well as in various federal courts.

Meet Dr. Drew Fockler, the charismatic captain of the classroom and champion of change! As a University Professor specializing in HR and Leadership studies, Drew doesn't just teach; he ignites a revolution! With a magnetic personality and a knack for making complex concepts come alive, Drew empowers students to become tomorrow's trailblazers. But beyond the textbooks, Drew is a Change Champion extraordinaire, leading the charge for innovation and progress. Whether spearheading diversity initiatives or challenging traditional paradigms, Drew is at the forefront of reshaping the future of work. With passion as their compass and knowledge as their weapon, Dr. Drew Fockler is paving the way to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow!

Vitale Buford Hardin, CEO of Vitale & Company, is a leading expert on perfectionism's impact on corporate culture and individual performance. She works with a wide range of organizations, helping leaders overcome perfectionism and cultivate authenticity, resilience, and effective communication. A pioneer of thought leadership, Vitale has led studies revealing that 85% of workplaces foster perfectionism, affecting 86% of leaders. Overcoming her own struggles with perfectionism and addiction, she became a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and iPEC-certified executive coach. With 15 years of corporate experience, she offers custom trainings, strategic advisory, and performance coaching to help her clients thrive.