Palm Beach County SHRM: Driving Innovation, Engagement and Impact in 2026

Palm Beach County SHRM entered 2026 with a clear goal: to create meaningful experiences that support members, local leaders, and the broader business community.  While rooted in the HR profession, the chapters impact extends beyond HR by fostering learning, leadership development, and professional connections throughout Palm Beach County.

A major highlight this year was the annual conference, held May 20 at the Hilton Airport in West Palm Beach.  The event drew more than 260 attendees and over 20 sponsors, making it one of the chapter’s most successful and profitable conferences.  Under the leadership of Chapter President Tracy Ellison and President-Elect Jenilsa Castillo, the conference was redesigned into a one-day, high impact experience focused on engagement, practical learning, and meaningful networking.

New elements included a live on-site podcast hosted by Lee Cage Jr. of 15 Minutes With and a closing cocktail social that encouraged attendees to continue conversations in a relaxed setting.  The speaker lineup was intentionally selected to challenge perspectives and provide actionable insights, with many breakout sessions delivering keynote-level value.

Throughout the year, the chapter offered a mix of learning opportunities designed for busy professionals, including lunch-and-learn webinars, chapter dinner meetings, and New Member Orientations.  A new real-time feedback process allows the chapter to gather insights immediately after events and continuously improve programming.

Membership growth remains a priority under Membership Director Katie Colon.  One successful initiative, Coffee and Conversations, provides casual networking opportunities for nonmembers to meet current members and learn about the chapter in an informal setting.

The chapter also strengthened its focus on well-being through the introduction of a Wellness Chair role.  Wellness initiatives included a chapter 5KI, Tai Ji sessions at the conference, and ongoing efforts to integrate wellness into chapter activities.

The chapter continues to focus on professional development with SHRM Certification study groups and certification scholarships.

The success of Palm Beach County SHRM is driven by its dedicated leadership team, committee members, and volunteers.

SHRM Martin County Celebrates a Season of Growth, Education and Community Impact

SHRM Martin County continues to strengthen its impact throughout the Treasure Coast by delivering meaningful educational programming, investing in future professionals, and enhancing the chapter’s presence in the community.

One of the chapter’s most successful events this year was its Legal Conference, held on May 21, which brough together 50 local HR professionals and business leaders for a day of learning, networking, and practical insights.  Attendees heard from five distinguished speakers who addressed some of the most pressing workplace issues facing organizations today.

Conference topics included:

• 2026 Benefits, Legislative and Litigation Update
• Employment Law Update: What Will Get You Sued in 2026
• Employee Activism & Trust: Navigating Social Issues in Employee Relations
• Drug & Alcohol Program Education, Including Reasonable Suspicion
• Deep Dive into Costly Employment Law Mistakes for HR Professionals to Understand and Avoid,

The conference received positive feedback for its timely and highly relevant content, providing attendees with valuable knowledge they can immediately apply within their organizations.

A special thank you goes to Vice President of Programs, Cheryl Duncan, whose leadership and dedication made this event a tremendous success.  Through thoughtful planning and coordination, Cheryl delivered an exceptional educational experience that reflected the chapter’s commitment to professional excellence.

Beyond professional development, SHRM Martin County continues to invest in the next generation of leaders.  This year, the chapter awarded scholarships to three local high school seniors.  College Relations Chair Christine Georges proudly represented the chapter at each school’s scholarship awards ceremony, presenting the scholarships in person and sharing information about the human resources profession.  These scholarship presentations provide a meaningful opportunity for the chapter to engage with the community, support educational achievement, and encourage students as they begin the next chapter of their academic and professional journeys.

The chapter also achieved a major organizational milestone with the completion of its rebranding initiative and launch of a new website.  Officially transitioning to SHRM Martin County, the chapter now has a refreshed identity that better reflects its mission and service area.  This accomplishment would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of Website Chair and Secretary Gina Calla.  The website project required countless hours of planning, design, content development and implementation.  Gina’s dedication, attention to detail, and positive attitude helped bring the vision to life, creating a modern and engaging online presence for members and the broader community.

As SHRM Martin County looks ahead, these achievements reflect the chapter’s ongoing commitment to providing valuable education, supporting future leaders, and creating meaningful connections throughout the business community.  Through the dedication of its volunteers and board members, the chapter continues to grow, evolve, and make a lasting impact across Martin County and beyond,