WI SHRM 2025
State Conference
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October 8-10, 2025
Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
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2025 State Conference Keynote Speakers
Thursday, October 9, 2025 – Cheri Tree
7:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. 
"Make People Matter - Unlocking the Secret
to Maximizing Human Potential"
Thursday's Keynote Sponsored by UKG
You're invited to an unforgettable keynote that will redefine how you lead your people strategy in an increasingly AI-driven, fast-evolving workplace. In “Make People Matter – Unlocking the Secret to Maximizing Human Potential,” global thought leader and Founder & CEO of Codebreaker Technologies, Cheri Tree, introduces a transformative approach rooted in the BANK methodology—an innovative people science that combines behavioral psychology, emotional intelligence, and cutting-edge AI to revolutionize connection and communication in the workplace. This experience is designed for forward-thinking HR professionals who don’t just want to adapt to the future of work but shape it by putting people first. In alignment with this year’s SHRM Conference theme, “Next Generation of Work,” centered around Innovation, Navigation, Automation, and Collaboration, this keynote delivers actionable strategies and powerful insights that will equip you to lead with authenticity and empathy—without losing pace with rapid technological change. By attending this session, you will discover how to:
- Decode personality in less than 90 seconds to dramatically improve hiring accuracy, employee engagement, and internal communication.
- Build more inclusive, values-driven teams by understanding what truly drives and motivates each individual—beyond job titles and resumes.
- Leverage Codebreaker AI to support smarter talent development while keeping empathy, trust, and belonging at the core of culture.
- Navigate generational shifts and hybrid workforces with relationship intelligence that honors individuality and fosters genuine collaboration.
- Align people with purpose—even as you deploy automation and digital tools—by ethically integrating tech and human behavior science.
BANK equips today’s HR leaders with the technology and people skills required for tomorrow’s demands, ensuring the heart of business stays human. In a world where artificial intelligence is advancing faster than ever, this keynote is your blueprint for deeper connection, faster innovation, and a workplace where people are seen, heard, and valued.
8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
"Leading in Times of Uncertainty - Building an Effective Multi-Generational Workplace"
Jeff Butler is our Friday morning keynote and will present “Leading in Times of Uncertainty - Building an Effective Multi-Generational Workplace.” Jeff will share insights gained through years of research, blending two presentations into one for WISHRM. He will share how the human psyche handles change and how you as a leader can adapt to change while also ensuring you’re not creating setbacks.
Backed by a decade of psychological research, Jeff shares insights about motivations, differences, and communication styles of the four generations all working within your organization. Through this program you’ll find specific actionable strategies to manage your cross-generational challenges and turn your multigenerational workforce into a competitive advantage.
Jeff Butler is an author and workplace strategist who explores what organizations need to do to navigate uncertainty. His experience spans over 40 industries in 4 continents on how different cultures and employees interact with each other. He studies common threads of behavior in industries such as IT professionals, underground utility workers, police officers to clothing retail chains. In addition, Jeff has also worked with various Fortune 500 companies to my and pop shops. His ideas have made it to TEDx twice, appeared in dozens of media outlets including two books on human behavior: The Authentic Workplace and The Key To The New You. Currently, he lives in Dallas, Texas as an out of place Californian.
Friday, October 10, 2025 – David Atkins
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
"One Decision Away #NoExcuses - Break Through Fear and Adversity to Play a Bigger Game in Business and Life"
Friday's Keynote Sponsored by Anthem
Have you noticed Fear, Adversity, Mindset and Excuses to name a few are often the difference makers for those that are truly successful and those that aren’t?
We all face them each and everyday, but a select few know how to overcome them.
So how do you overcome these obstacles that we all face every single day both personally and professionally?
You teach your organization a model that speaks to their inner core, mindset and thought process to breakthrough these barriers.
That’s where David comes in. The “One Decision Away” Philosophy
Objectives:
- Having a Vision - Often we think about what we truly want to achieve but we must have the Vision within ourselves, to live it, to breathe it, to read it and to focus on it so everything we do is in alignment with making our Vision become a reality.
- Our Mindset - If our mindset isn’t strong we will constantly let life’s circumstances dictate how we respond. But when we flip that upside down we learn that we cannot control what happens to us but we can control how we react. A positive focused Mindset is the most powerful tool for one’s success.
- Sense of Urgency - We often talk about the things we are going to do and accomplish. We talk about starting “tomorrow” or “someday.” It’s the start that stops most people. But the fact is tomorrow is not guaranteed and success is never convenient. It will never be the perfect time to start. It’s about creating it.
David is a retired New York State Police Captain after 22 years of service. He ran all State Police operations for the County of Westchester NY, averaging approximately 400-500,000 911 calls a year. David was the New York State Trooper of the Year in 2003 followed by New York State Police Investigator of the Year in 2007. David was also a first responder at Ground Zero on 09/11 where he spent weeks working in New York City. While working full-time with the NY State Police, David also built a million-dollar international direct sales business with Beachbody, leading a team of 1,400 people today. Through his success both in law enforcement and business, David became a Keynote Motivational Speaker presenting to groups of a few hundred people to over 20,000 people in the NFL Super Dome in New Orleans. David published his first book The Leveled Up Life, is the creator of The One Decision Away Philosophy and host of the Personal Perseverance Project Podcast. Most importantly David is a husband and a father to his three daughters.
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