Presented by West Alabama SHRM | Friday, August 14, 2026 | Synergic Center, Northport, AL

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

Leadership isn’t practiced in a textbook—it’s lived every day through difficult conversations, workplace challenges, organizational change, and the responsibility of leading people effectively.

Join West Alabama SHRM for a full day of practical learning designed to help leaders navigate the realities of today’s workplace. Sessions will explore topics including change management, workforce development, leadership development, employment law, team performance, and organizational effectiveness.

Attendees will hear from experienced leaders and subject matter experts, participate in engaging discussions, and leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply within their organizations.

WHY ATTEND?

Gain practical leadership tools you can use immediately.
Learn strategies for leading people through change.
Explore workforce and talent development trends impacting Alabama employers.
Reduce organizational risk through a better understanding of employment law and compliance issues.
Build stronger, higher-performing teams.
Network with professionals and leaders from across West Alabama.
Earn up to 7 SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs).

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Business Owners
Executives
Managers and Supervisors
HR Professionals
Emerging and Experienced Leaders
Anyone looking to strengthen their leadership skills and workplace impact

Whether you’re leading a department, an organization, or preparing for your next leadership opportunity, this conference will provide the knowledge, connections, and practical insights needed to lead with confidence.

SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES

Showcase your organization to business leaders and decision-makers from across West Alabama.

Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available for organizations looking to increase visibility, build relationships, and demonstrate their commitment to leadership and workforce development. Sponsorship packages offer valuable exposure before, during, and after the conference through event marketing, on-site engagement, and networking opportunities.

For questions or additional information, please email info@washrm.com.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS

FEATURED SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS

JOHN BENTLEY

Change Management Consultant

I Lead Me / Power 2 Transform

John Bentley helps organizations successfully navigate change by focusing on the people side of transformation. With extensive experience in leadership development and organizational effectiveness, he equips leaders with practical strategies to build trust, increase engagement, and guide teams through periods of growth and change.

MIKE PERKINS

HR & Leadership Consultant

Frontline HR & Training

With more than 30 years of experience in HR, leadership development, and workplace training, Mike Perkins and the expert consultants at Frontline HR & Training help organizations strengthen compliance, enhance leadership effectiveness and improve organizational performance. The also conduct independent workplace investigations. Mike’s practical, personal approach equips employers and their leaders with tools they can immediately apply to build stronger teams and workplace cultures.

HEATHER LEONARD

Labor & Employment Attorney

Heather Leonard, P.C.

Heather Leonard advises employers on labor and employment matters, helping organizations navigate workplace compliance, employee relations, and risk management. Her experience provides practical insight into avoiding common employment pitfalls and creating workplaces that are both legally compliant and operationally effective.

MARTIN HOUSTON

Executive Leadership Strategist

M-Powerment Training & Consulting

Coach Martin Houston, a former National Champion athlete turned corporate executive, serves as the CEO of M-Powerment Training & Consulting. In this role, he focuses on helping companies build organizational health, championship performance and sustainable execution, through Talent Optimization, Aligned Teams and Goals, Leadership Development and Culture Transformation! Let’s T.A.L.C. About It!

ALLISON MAYS

Assistant Superintendent of HR

Tuscaloosa County School System

An accomplished educator, attorney, and HR leader, Dr. Mays brings extensive experience in leadership, workforce management, and employment law. She serves as WASHRM’s Government Affairs and Legal & Employment Law Committee Chair and is passionate about helping organizations navigate today’s evolving workplace challenges.

GREG REED

Secretary of Workforce

State of Alabama

As Alabama’s first Secretary of Workforce, Greg Reed leads statewide workforce initiatives focused on talent development, labor force participation, and economic growth. Drawing on decades of leadership experience in both the private sector and state government, he works to strengthen Alabama’s workforce pipeline and support the state’s long-term economic success.

BRUCE HENDERSON

Labor & Employment Attorney

Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler, L.L.P.

A nationally recognized labor and employment attorney with more than 35 years of experience representing employers, Bruce advises organizations on workplace compliance, employee relations, labor disputes, and litigation prevention. As Chair of the 2026 WASHRM Leadership Conference, he is committed to bringing practical, high-impact learning opportunities to leaders across West Alabama.

SAM DAY

Organizational Development & Education Consultant

DCH Health System

Dr. Sam Day helps organizations grow leaders through practical training systems and executive coaching that strengthen results, relationships, and culture. With a Doctor of Strategic Leadership, Sam has supported award-recognized leadership development initiatives—including work that contributed to a training team earning four consecutive Top 10 global rankings from Training Magazine. He equips leaders to turn insight into action and build healthier, higher-performing teams.

DAVID HUGHES

Wage & Hour Litigation

Hardin & Hughes, LLP.

David Hughes is an employment law attorney who focuses on wage and hour litigation, unpaid overtime claims, workplace discrimination, and employee rights. Through his work at Hardin & Hughes, he helps employees navigate complex workplace issues while providing practical insight into compliance, risk management, and employment law challenges facing today's organizations.

BETH LANIER

Associate

Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

With more than 25 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, Beth Lanier helps organizations strengthen culture, develop leaders, and improve performance. Her career includes 17 years with Southern Company, executive HR leadership roles in both the accounting and nonprofit sectors, and nearly a decade consulting with organizations on leadership and cultural development. Beth brings practical, real-world insight that helps leaders build stronger teams and navigate workplace challenges.

VIEW THE AGENDA

2026 PRESENTERS SHEET