Our Sponsors
SHRM Volunteer Leaders are among the most dedicated, passionate, and hard-working SHRM members. Whether you are a volunteer leader for your local chapter, student chapter, or the Wisconsin State Council; the 2025 WI SHRM Volunteer Leader Conference will be a fantastic opportunity to:
This year’s WI SHRM Volunteer Leader Conference will be held on August 14th and 15th at the Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Event registration is now open! All SHRM volunteer leaders are encouraged to attend this conference to network, connect, and engage with your Wisconsin SHRM colleagues at this enriching and entertaining event. Whether you are an emerging or aspiring leader or someone who has been involved with volunteer leadership for years, you are sure to learn something new and make meaningful connections with other dedicated human resource professionals that will last long after the conference is over.
The WI SHRM Volunteer Leader Conference Committee and our chapter host, Oshkosh SHRM, are enthusiastically planning great programming, engaging events, and valuable activities for you! You will leave this conference understanding more about the vision and mission of SHRM and Wisconsin State Council SHRM, gain in-depth knowledge of our SHRM Core Leadership Areas, and learn how best to develop and maintain strong relationships and partnerships between SHRM, WI SHRM, our chapters, and our members.
Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront
Hotel & Convention Center
1 N Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Run of House: $125.99 + taxes/fees
King Corner Room: $135.99 + taxes/fees
Check-in time: 3:00 PM
Check-out time: 11:00 AM
On-Site Parking
Daily: $5.00
Cancellation Policy:
Check directly with the hotel.
Reservation Phone:
Block is under WI SHRM Volunteer Leader Conference
Hotel Block closes July 16, 2025
| Thursday, August 14, 2025 | |||||
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| 9:00 - 11:30 am | WI SHRM State Council Meeting Core Council and Local Chapter Presidents & President Elects |
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| 9:30 - 11:0 am | Vendor Booth Move In | ||||
| 11:00 - 5:30 pm | Registration Open | ||||
| 11:30 - 11:35 am | Welcome and Agenda Overview
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| 11:35 - 12:00 pm | Puzzle Activity We'll kick off our conference with an engaging networking activity! Dust off your puzzle skills - your group will be tasked with completing a puzzle (with some fun twists thrown in). The group to finish their puzzle the fastest wins. |
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| 12:00 - 12:45 pm | Networking Lunch | ||||
| 1:05 - 1:15 pm |
Volunteer Update: Annual State Conference What does it take to be a volunteer at an 1,500 person conference?! Let's find out! We will give brief in's and out's about volunteering at State Conference and the benefits that come back to you in return for your service at the largest annual conference Wisconsin SHRM puts on! |
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| 1:15 - 2:45 pm | Speed Learning and Networking Activity | 4 Rounds Choose Your Table, Move to New Tables, Learn and Share Your Wisdom! Join us for a fast-paced, interactive session designed to spark ideas, share best practices, and connect with fellow SHRM chapter leaders. Think speed dating — but for volunteer leadership! Here’s how it works:
Pick your topic. Grab a seat. Let’s talk shop. |
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| 2:45 - 3:00 pm | Break | ||||
3:00 - 4:15 PM
 Bruce Waller |
Keynote | Get Ready to ACT: Action Changes Things! with Bruce Waller Join Bruce W. Waller for a dynamic keynote session that doesn't just inspire — it activates. At the start of Day 1, you'll take part in a quick, powerful exercise designed to turn insight into impact. In just 5–10 minutes, you’ll write down one meaningful action — your “ACT” — to boost leadership, culture, or chapter engagement. Keep it visible, keep it real, and be ready to share. Because at Wisconsin SHRM, we don’t just talk leadership — we live it. One post-it. One action. Real change. |
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| 4:15 - 4:30 pm | Break | ||||
| 4:30 - 5:30 pm | WI SHRM Shark Tank Pitch. Connect. Win. What to expect:
This is your chance to spark ideas, steal (the good kind) inspiration, and have fun while helping shape the future of your chapter. Think bold. Pitch smart. ACT big. |
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| 5:30 - 8:00 pm | Evening Networking Reception | Heavy Appetizers | Refreshments After a full day of learning, get comfortable, grab your favorite beverage, and join us on the patio next to the river! You can mingle with your fellow attendees while enjoying spectacular views. Sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere! |
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| 5:00 - 5:15 pm | Closing Comments / Committee Recognition Intro to the Evening / What's Coming for Tomorrow |
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| *Times and content subject to change without notice. | |||||
| Friday, August 15, 2025 | |
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| 7:15 - 8:00 am | Breakfast | Networking |
| 8:10 - 8:15 am
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Foundation Update & SHRM Foundation Resources Latest SHRM Foundation information and a quick update on the status of fundraising during the conference! |
| 8:30 - 9:30 am
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Individual & Chapter Awards This year's award winners will be announced and celebrated! Presented by WI SHRM District Directors
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9:30 - 9:50 am
 Heather Merrick, SHRM-SCP |
SHRM Update Get the latest SHRM updates with Wisconsin's Members & Community Director, Heather Merrick, SHRM-SCP. |
| 9:50 - 10:00 am | Break |
| 10:00 - 11:00 am |
Breakouts:
Presented by WI SHRM District Directors
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| 11:00 - 11:15 am | Break |
| 11:15 - 12:00 pm
Bruce Waller |
Workshop | Day 2: Let’s Put Your ACT into Action! with Bruce Waller Day 2: Let’s Put Your ACT into Action! Here’s what to expect:
Small steps. Big change. Let’s ACT now and lead forward — together. |
12:00 - 12:15 pm
 Pam Berkovitz, SHRM-SCP Leadership Director |
Closing | Prizes | Silent Auction Winners | Sponsor Drawings Pam Berkovitz, SHRM-SCP, Leadership Director Conference closing, wrap up, silent auction winners announced and prize drawings galore! |
| *Times and content subject to change without notice. | |
Cottingham & Butler
800 Main Street Dubuque, IA 52001 Contact: Joey Backus Email: jbackus@cottinghambutler.com Phone: (262) 674-4171 Website: https://www.cottinghambutler.com/ Cottingham & Butler has a long, rich history, starting as a local insurance agency on the upper banks of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, IA and growing into one of the largest insurance brokers in the U.S. Celebrating over 125 years of insight, Cottingham & Butler is a leader in offering innovative property & casualty and employee benefit insurance solutions. Our services include:
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Gallagher Insurance
245 Executive Drive, Suite 200 Brookfield, WI 53005 Contact: Josh Bergman Email: Josh_Bergman@ajg.com Phone: Website: https://www.ajg.com We are Gallagher, a global leader in insurance, risk management and consulting services. Much more than simply an insurance broker, we are an international group of partners that provide cost-effective, client-centric, and expertise-driven risk management solutions. Our leadership team fosters a dynamic, entrepreneurial culture that has made us an innovator in creating new products and services for our clients.
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 M3 Insurance 828 John Nolen Drive Madison, WI 53713 Contact: Traci Licari Email: traci.licari@m3ins.com Phone: Website: www.m3ins.com M3 is a top 50 insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.
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Seek Careers 1160 Opportunity Drive Grafton, WI 53024 Contact: Debbie Fedel, CSP, PHR, SHRM-CP Email: dfedel@seekcareers.com Phone: Website: www.seekcareers.com SEEK Careers/Staffing, Inc. is a principle-based staffing resource dedicated to Servicing Your Success by exceeding your expectations.
SEEK’s Core Values – Integrity, Passion and Extraordinary Customer Service - are demonstrated by its teams as they provide assignment employees, vendor-on-premises consultants and direct-hire candidates. We specialize in employment placedment for direct-hire, temporary-to-hire and contract opportunities in manufacturing, light industrial, skilled trades, administrative and a host of other positions as well. |
 Edvest
525 Junction Road, Suite 6500 Madison, WI 53715 Contact: Kevin Pytleski Email: kevin.pytleski@tiaa.org Phone: Website: www.edvest.com/employer Edvest, Wisconsin's official 529 savings plan, is now available as a employee benefit. Parents appreciate anything that can make saving for their child's future simple and affordable. You can help employees save and enhance your talent retention and acquisition efforts. You can add Edvest to your company's financial wellness line up, at no cost to your company and with no reporting required. Learn more, and access free resources for Wisconsin employers at edvest.com or call 888.338.3789. |
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| By registering for this conference, you agree to share your contact information with sponsors of the event and any photographs taken may be used for publication and/or marketing purposes. |
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Pam Berkovitz, SHRM-SCP
Em: leadershipdirector@wishrm.org
Term Start: 3/24/2025
Pam has been in the human capital business for over two decades. She is an experienced staffing executive, business partner and human resources professional. Demonstrating a proven history of successfully managing and supporting leaders, recruiting teams, business development and corporate members. She works closely with executive leadership to develop strategic hiring initiatives, employee development planning, compensation strategy and organizational development plans. As the HR Director, she executes on all business & human capital strategies for Master Fleet LLC.
Having devoted over 20 years to the staffing industry, which includes entrepreneurship with her own staffing business and a distinguished role as Vice-President in an Illinois-based Commercial & IT staffing company, she transitioned to the corporate sector as an Enterprise District Manager. In this role, she led a team of 30+ individuals and managed a substantial budget exceeding $32 million. Subsequently, she embraced a dedicated human resources role, leveraging her diverse experience to contribute to the success of a dynamic mid-sized business – Master Fleet LLC. Here, she holds a pivotal leadership position, leaving a tangible imprint on talent acquisition, performance management, employee development, and overall business strategy.
Pam's commitment to the field extends beyond her professional roles. She has actively served on the Board of Directors for Green Bay Area SHRM, holding various key positions such as Past President, President, Programming Director, and Nominations Chair. Currently, she contributes to the WISHRM State Council as the SHRM Foundation Director. Additionally, she is a new member of the bay Area Workforce Development Board. A National SHRM member since 2005, Pam's dedication is underscored by her educational achievements, including an MBA in Business with an HR concentration, bachelor's degrees in both Business and Marketing, and an associate degree in Marketing Communications. Furthermore, she is recognized as a certified SHRM-CP professional.
