Carroll County SHRM 2025 Presents

13^th Annual Carroll County SHRM Conference:

The People at the Center—Connect, Collaborate, Create, Celebrate

Friday, September 12 | 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Carroll Community College | Bollinger Conference Center | K Building (K100)
Offered by Carroll County SHRM in partnership with Carroll Community College

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Schedule

Event Time	Event Description
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.	Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.	Welcome & Announcements
8:45 – 10:15 a.m.	Daring to Disagree: Building Civility, Connection & Community in Divisive Times Presented by Devin Hughes
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.	Break, Networking and Vendor Visits
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.	Collaborate to Elevate : The Mindset of High-Performing Teams Presented by Naima Spencer
11:30– 12:30 p.m.	Lunch, Networking, and Vendor Visits
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.	Impactful Leadership: A Simple Path to High-Performing Teams, Presented by Stephanie Bidle
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.	Break, Networking and Vendor Visits
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.	The Positivity Effect: Powering Performance Through Feedback Presented by Kate Vendemio
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.	Break, Networking and Vendor Visits
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.	Panel Discussion: The People at the Center—Connect, Collaborate, Create, Celebrate
4:15 – 4:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks, Evaluations and Door Prizes

Registration

Course #: MGT-438-A2

$125 Carroll County Residents
$130 Out–of-County Residents
$135 Out-of-State Residents

Continental breakfast and lunch included.  

Registration is required for the conference. 

Space is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Walk-in registrations are not accepted.
Register online or call Workforce, Business & Community Education: at 410-386-8100.

Directions

For directions and a campus map, go here.
To join, visit www.carrollcountyshrm.org.

Presentations

Daring to Disagree: Building Civility, Connection & Community in Divisive Times

Presented by Devin C. Hughes
Chief Inspiration Officer

The U.S. Surgeon General recently announced that Americans are in an “epidemic of loneliness.” After everything we’ve experienced in the past few years, this probably isn’t all that shocking—though it is concerning. Beyond individual impact, this sense of loneliness and isolation profoundly affects worker performance, engagement, and productivity. So what can HR leaders at all levels do to combat this epidemic and set our people up for success in and out of the workplace? Devin will offer research-backed strategies for building a culture of civility and authentic connections, implementing best practices, and creating a work environment where people feel like they matter. He will explore our role at work and how we can develop empathy and understanding for others’ experiences. Get actionable strategies and insights on fostering a sense of belonging, recognizing employees with meaning, and investing in their development and coaching to create connections in in-person, remote, or hybrid workplaces.

Pending approval
1.5 SHRM PDCs
1.5 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours

Devin C. Hughes isn’t your average leadership speaker—unless your average speaker has a TED-worthy sense of humor, a black belt in culture transformation, and a résumé that includes everyone from Disney to the Department of Defense. An award-winning speaker, author, and globally sought-after expert on organizational culture and team dynamics, Devin helps leaders and teams do more than check the box on engagement—he shows them how to light it on fire (in the good way). He’s got a sixth sense for sniffing out stale workplaces and helping turn them into thriving, connected ecosystems where people actually want to show up. Forget the corporate fluff; Devin brings real talk, bold ideas, and a human-first approach that sticks. With a rare mix of insight, storytelling, and just the right dose of humor, he tackles big topics like civility, connection, and communication without making anyone want to check their inbox mid-session. Named one of peopleHum’s Top 200 Thought Leaders to Watch in 2024, Devin holds a BA from Colgate University and an MS from Southern New Hampshire University. His work spans Fortune 100 giants, scrappy startups, and mission-driven organizations that want more than just another PowerPoint parade. He doesn’t just talk about better workplaces—he helps build them.

Collaborate to Elevate: The Mindset of High-Performing Teams

Presented by Naima Spencer
Certified Mindset Facilitator 

In today’s fast-paced work environment, true innovation and success are driven by teams that operate with trust, adaptability, and a shared vision. Yet, limiting beliefs, poor communication, and internal roadblocks can stifle collaboration and hinder results. This session will explore how shifting mindset at both an individual and collective level can transform workplace dynamics, enhance problem-solving, and create a culture of peak performance.

Pending approval
1.0 SHRM PDCs
1.0 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours

Naima Spencer is a speaker, certified mindset coach, and co-author of Rise Above with the legendary Les Brown. She holds an MBA from Penn State and recently earned a Neuroscience for Business certificate from the Wharton School. Naima specializes in helping executives and professionals build resilience, regulate emotions, and lead with clarity under pressure. Featured in Thrive Global, Medium, and top podcasts, she shares powerful insights on mindset mastery and personal transformation. Her mission is to empower professionals to unlock their full potential, cultivate inner resilience, and create lasting success.

Impactful Leadership: A Simple Path to High-Performing Teams

Presented by Stephanie Bidle
Simplicity Secret

High-performing teams create more than successful outcomes—they create meaningful impact. Impactful Leadership: A Simple Path to High-Performing Teams, led by Leadership Development Consultant & Fulfillment Coach Stephanie Bidle, explores how leaders can cultivate a culture of clarity, connection, and influence to drive both achievement and fulfillment. This session will guide leaders in aligning their values with their leadership approach, strengthening relationships to build engaged teams, and using their influence to inspire collective success. Through intentional leadership, teams can move beyond results-driven performance to a more sustainable, purpose-driven approach that enhances both individual and organizational growth.

Pending approval
1.0 SHRM PDCs
1.0 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours

Stephanie Bidle is an energetic speaker, award-winning coach, and leadership development trainer passionate about helping individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. As founder of The Simplicity Secret and a TEDx speaker, she empowers audiences to redefine success, embrace growth, and create meaningful change. With a Master’s in Human Resources Management and certifications including SHRM-SCP and CCP, Stephanie brings practical expertise and a people-first approach to her work. Recognized as Sass Magazine’s 2024 Best Personal Development Coach, she inspires leaders and teams to build trust, foster collaboration, and drive lasting success.

The Positivity Effect: Powering Performance Through Feedback

Presented by Kate Vendemio
Founder & CEO, Mt. Vernon Consulting

Imagine a workplace where motivation runs high, collaboration flows naturally, and change feels less like a disruption and more like an exciting opportunity. In today’s dynamic workplaces, positive feedback is the key to creating such an environment. Research shows that employees who regularly receive positive feedback are 92% more likely to repeat praised actions, making it one of the most impactful—and often underused—tools for managers and leaders at all levels. For leaders facing challenges like change management, team collaboration, and trust-building, positive feedback offers a powerful yet accessible solution.

This session will break down the essential components of positive feedback, demonstrating its link to employee engagement and motivation. We’ll explore how consistent, meaningful feedback moves beyond annual reviews to create a workplace where team members feel empowered and appreciated every day. By recognizing and reinforcing positive behavior, we’ll show how this approach strengthens psychological safety, builds confidence, and nurtures a cycle of continuous improvement. Leaders will gain insights into identifying key moments for positive feedback, from major achievements to daily contributions, fostering an environment where everyone is motivated to contribute at their highest level.

Pending approval
1.0 SHRM PDCs
1.0 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours

Kate Vendemio is the Founder and CEO of Mt. Vernon Consulting, a woman-owned workforce learning and development firm based in the Washington, D.C. area. With more than 20 years of experience, she helps organizations—from federal agencies to Fortune 500 companies to mission-driven nonprofits—administer practical, engaging training that sticks. Whether leading a leadership development cohort, facilitating Everything DiSC® sessions, or teaching managers how to give better feedback, Kate is known for her direct, no-fluff approach that makes learning actionable and real. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and has consulted for organizations including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Wiley Publishing, the American Council of the Blind, and the NCAA.

Her passion for feedback started at a young age. One of Kate’s earliest memories is trying on dress shoes in a store and becoming frustrated because the salesman didn’t take her complaints about discomfort seriously. She candidly told the salesperson, “You are not very good at your job.” She’s since refined her delivery, but she’s still just as committed to honest, clear communication. Today, Kate works with leaders and teams to build a culture where feedback isn’t something to fear—it’s the fuel that drives performance, engagement, and trust.

Panel Discussion:
The People at the Center―Connect, Collaborate, Create, Celebrate

Join us for a dynamic and interactive panel discussion that brings our conference speakers back to the stage alongside engaged community members for an inspiring exploration of the 4 Cs: Connect, Collaborate, Create, and Celebrate. They’ll dive into what it truly takes to succeed in each of these key areas, sharing real-world strategies, personal insights, and practical tools that you can apply right away. This session will be packed with valuable takeaways to help you and your workplace move forward with confidence and clarity.

Pending approval
1.0 SHRM PDCs
1.0 HRCI Recertification Credit Hours