About Our Breakout Session Speakers

Sheri Shannon is a Certified Financial Coach and the driving force behind the University of Illinois Community Credit Union’s award-winning Partnership Program as its Assistant Vice President. With an unwavering passion for expanding access to financial education, Sheri has forged strategic alliances with business leaders to deliver vital financial health resources to their employees. Her innovative leadership has earned the program widespread recognition for its transformative impact on the community. Sheri is driven by the belief that financial literacy is the cornerstone of a brighter future for all, and she tirelessly works to empower individuals through education and support.

In today’s fast-paced world, financial stress is a significant concern for many employees, impacting their productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. During this session, we will explore the critical importance of investing in employee financial health as a strategic approach to fostering a thriving workforce. We will delve into the benefits of offering a financial wellness program and share practical strategies for implementation. Attend this session to discover how prioritizing financial health can transform stress into success, creating a more resilient and motivated team.

Annie Monyok is the Founder and CEO of Monyok Leadership, where she helps organizations build smart strategies, strong teams, and standout brands. With a background in HR and a sharp eye for practical solutions, Annie brings clarity, momentum, and a business partner mindset to every client.

An ICF-certified leadership coach with 1,300+ hours under her belt, Annie leads fast-paced, practical sessions designed to spark real change. No snoozefests—just hands-on activities, candid conversations, and creative tools to tackle conflict, build culture, and get unstuck.

HR professionals are no strangers to workplace drama—personality clashes, simmering tensions, and teams that can’t seem to function without friction. But how do we move from referee to resolution? Toxic Teams & Drama Queens is a high-energy, strategy-packed session designed to give HR professionals the tools to navigate conflict with confidence.

David Lubben is a member of Davis & Campbell, emphasizing both employment litigation and commercial litigation in his practice. David has a robust practice representing businesses in tort and contract litigation and commercial disputes. He also represents employers in all aspects of employment disputes, including protecting proprietary information, litigating non-competition agreements, complying with safety and health regulations, advocating on benefits disputes. He regularly handles both class action and individual plaintiff lawsuits in state and federal courts in Illinois and other states.

With over a decade of dedicated experience in human resources, organizational development, and strategic leadership, Jill Moss is a distinguished expert in HR ethics and organizational integrity.

Outside her role as COO in the financial services industry, Jill partners with ChangeBridge Consulting, where she shares her wealth of knowledge in human resource management, organizational development, organizational change, and conflict resolution. She has been named a Top 100 COO and featured in the 20 Under 40 list, reflecting a commitment to excellence and ethical standards. Her graduate work in Industrial and Organizational Psychology combines academic skill with practical expertise to address complex ethical issues in the workplace.

Jill is passionate about helping organizations cultivate thriving work cultures where employees are genuinely excited to come to work and find deep purpose in what they do.

An experienced and skilled trial attorney, John is the lead trial counsel of the firm’s Employment Litigation group.  John has tried cases in both state and federal court, including several federal jury trials. He represents both private businesses and governmental agencies at trial, mostly defending against claims of employment discrimination and civil rights violations. In addition to trying cases, John has extensive experience in all facets of litigation, from initial intake and discovery through summary judgment. John also has extensive experience in handling litigation with federal and state agencies, including the EEOC, the IDHR, OSHA, and the IDOL. John understands that the proper handling of a case from filing through dismissal or trial is often an arduous and nerve-wracking process for a business. To that end, he works with his clients on their cases from beginning to end, whether that be through trial, summary judgment, or settlement. John understands that in litigation, one size does not fit all, and that the specific facts and needs of his clients will dictate the direction of litigation.

During this presentation, Attorney John Hayes will discuss an overview of the new laws and legal developments that are affecting ALL Illinois employers in 2025 and beyond.  Included in this discussion will be the following:

• Latest Developments from Trump 2.0
• New U.S. Supreme Court Case Law Impacting HR
• New Laws and Priority Legislation from Springfield for 2025 and Beyond
• Overview of Federal Developments at the NLRB, US DOL, EEOC
• Artificial Intelligence and Legal Considerations for HR
• And More…

After attending this live presentation, you will be able to

• Identify what employers need to focus on to minimize risks related to key Labor & Employment developments unique to Illinois.
• Determine if your current policies and procedures are compliant with new state and federal legal developments.
• Describe the importance of legal considerations involving artificial intelligence.

Derek is currently the Director of HR Systems, Training, and Communication at Illinois State University. During his time at ISU he has been responsible for continuity of HR technology, learning and development for campus, and staff recruiting and orientation.

Before joining Illinois State University, Derek had experience as a professional recruiter at the global staffing firm TEKSystems. He is a two-time Illinois State University alum, having received both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from ISU. He teaches courses at Illinois State University and Illinois Central College in message design, public speaking, and business information systems. He is also a board member of the Bloomington/Normal Human Resources Council and an active member of the Higher Education User Group for Oracle Technologies and the College and University Professionals Association.

Becky Gabany has dedicated her career to community engagement and facilitating positive change. With a Master’s degree in Human Services and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Becky has more than a decade of experience in healthcare focused on community engagement and promoting equitable access to resources. She holds a certificate as a Healing Ambassador, rooted in Restorative Justice approaches, as well as being a Level 1 Trauma Informed Practitioner. She also holds both the Certified Diversity Professional and Executive designations through the Institute for Diversity Certification. Equipped with this knowledge, she established ChangeBridge Consulting, a firm focused on equitable capacity-building to help support changemakers throughout the country. 

Becky is currently co-chairing the DEI Committee for the National Association for Community and Restorative Justice. She was a member of the 2024 Forefront Illinois Racial Equity Cohort and the national U.S. Rise to Health Coalition. She has presented at statewide and national conferences, facilitating more than 50 workshops in the last year. 

Learning Objectives

1. Understand Key Concepts and Challenges Facing LGBTQ+ Employees in the Workplace

• Identify common barriers to inclusion, understand terminology (i.e., sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.), and recognize the impact of bias that can impact LGBTQ+ employee well-being and retention.

2. Develop Inclusive HR Policies and Practices that Support LGBTQ+ Equity

• Learn how to assess current HR policies and implement inclusive strategies – such as inclusive benefits, non-discrimination policies, and gender-affirming practices – to create equitable environments for LGBTQ+ employees.

3. Strengthen Allyship Skills to Foster a Culture of Belonging

• Explore practical allyship behaviors (i.e., using inclusive language, addressing microaggressions, advocating for inclusive practices) and create action steps to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion within organizations.