SHRM Florida

Newswire

Community Spotlight – District 7

By Amber J. Rees, SHRM-SCP, PHR, Director District 7

Together, the Magnificent 7 is more than a district, it is a unified network committed to supporting, empowering, inspiring, and connecting HR professionals and the communities we serve.

District 7 Unite Initiative

Across SHRM Florida’s District 7 (proudly rebranded as the Magnificent 7), SHRM Pinellas, HR Tampa, and SHRM Sarasota are coming together to create meaningful impact through our District 7 Unite initiative.

This collaborative effort reflects the power of connection across our chapters, bringing together resources, relationships, and expertise to better serve our communities. Through these Unite events, we are supporting job seekers exploring their next opportunity, members of the military community in transition, students and early-career professionals entering the HR field, and employers seeking top talent.

Whether you are searching for your next role or your next great hire, District 7’s Unite initiative is designed to be a bridge, connecting people to opportunity and organizations to talent.

HR Tampa

Building Better Workplaces Through Community and Learning

At the heart of every thriving workplace is connection, between people, organizations, and the communities they serve. HR Tampa is proud to be a catalyst for that connection across the Tampa Bay area, bringing together HR professionals committed to both excellence in their field and meaningful local impact.

Serving Our Local Communities

HR Tampa believes HR extends far beyond the workplace. Through partnerships with nonprofits, schools, and community organizations, members actively support workforce development, volunteer initiatives, and local causes. These efforts don’t just strengthen our communities, they deepen our perspective as HR professionals, helping us build more inclusive, compassionate, and responsive workplaces.

Creating Opportunities to Learn and Grow

In a rapidly evolving world of work, continuous learning is essential. HR Tampa offers dynamic educational opportunities, including workshops, guest speakers, certification programs, and networking events designed to keep members informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.

A recent highlight: HR Tampa’s SHRM Certification Preparation program delivered 30 hours of instruction over 10 weeks to 14 local professionals, offering high-value learning at minimal cost (participants covered materials only). Special thanks to Dr. Patti Sullivan for leading the program, with guest facilitators Liliya Bulpuch, Gary Grayshaw, and Michele Mathews, and to Everglades University for hosting.

Members also explored how team building can be both effective and engaging. Matt May, Founder & CEO of Premier Team Building and Interactive Experiences, challenged common misconceptions and shared practical strategies to create inclusive, high-energy experiences that connect teams across personality types.

We were thrilled to welcome Monique Akanbi, SHRM Membership Initiatives Director, and Amber Rees, District Director for District #7, to our March Chapter meeting. Who invites an FBI hostage negotiator as your speaker? Scott Tillema shared powerful insights on communication, leadership, and building trust in today’s workplace. His message was a strong reminder that how we communicate directly shapes culture, connection, and organizational success.

Shaping the Future of Work in Florida

By combining community engagement with professional development, HR Tampa plays a vital role in shaping stronger workplaces across Florida. Members are not only practitioners, they are advocates and leaders driving meaningful change.

This was evident at the SHRM Florida Legislative Conference, where HR Tampa’s Legislative Committee, led by Caren Marlowe (Ogletree Deakins) and Emily Chase-Sosnoff (Jackson Lewis), traveled to Tallahassee to engage in the legislative process. Participants gained insight into key workplace issues, learned effective advocacy strategies, and met with elected officials to discuss legislation impacting Florida employers. Interested in the legislative process? Join the SHRM A-Team! https://www.shrm.org/advocacy/a-team

Together, we are building a community of professionals who not only support one another but also contribute to a stronger, more resilient workforce. Visit www.HRTampa.org to learn more about our initiatives, upcoming programs, and how you can be a part of something extraordinary. #HRTPA26

SHRM Pinellas

SHRM Pinellas kicked off the year with incredible energy, driving strong member engagement and delivering high-impact professional development opportunities for HR professionals across the region.

Our Q1 chapter meetings featured a dynamic lineup of speakers tackling some of today’s most relevant workplace challenges. In January, Alan Bernstein led a thought-provoking session on Civility in the Workplace, equipping attendees with practical strategies to navigate difficult conversations and foster more respectful, productive environments.

In February, Jennifer Currence challenged members to elevate their impact with Creating a Bold HR Strategy, encouraging HR professionals to move beyond transactional work and step fully into their role as strategic business partners.

March wrapped the quarter with Tony Moore’s Creating Order from Chaos, offering powerful insights on leadership, prioritization, and maintaining focus in an increasingly complex and fast-paced workplace.

Beyond our monthly programs, SHRM Pinellas continued to strengthen community connections through SuncoastHR Unite, HR Unscripted, Socials and community events creating meaningful spaces for HR professionals to connect, collaborate, give back and grow together across the Pinellas community.

We’re just getting started. We’re excited for our annual HR Conference, Flourish, where HR professionals from across the region will come together for a full day of learning, networking, and inspiration. With engaging speakers, timely topics, and valuable opportunities to connect with peers and industry partners, Flourish has shaped up to be a must-attend event.

SHRM Sarasota

SHRM SRQ is building meaningful momentum in 2026, expanding partnerships, elevating programming, and deepening community impact.

We are proud to strengthen our military engagement through a new partnership with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), with guidance from Jessica Holloman, ESGR Liaison to SHRM Florida. ESGR will also be recognized as a Kind Sponsor at our Annual Conference.

To support emerging and transitioning HR professionals, we launched a free, quarterly HR 101 virtual series. Our first session drew 27 participants, signaling strong demand for accessible, foundational learning.

We also introduced a Book Club for recertification credit, kicking off with Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity, hosted by Communications Director Cassie Friedman, with nine engaged participants.

A major milestone this year is the launch of our Workforce Readiness program, led by Carrie Wilks, a newly established role. Carrie successfully led our March District 7 Unite event with 27 attendees and is driving forward initiatives to support HR professionals re-entering the workforce.

Looking ahead, SHRM SRQ will host its 2nd Annual Leadership Foundation on October 2, 2026, led by Legislative Chair Alice Veliz. Building on the success of last year’s event, which welcomed over 50 professionals, this program continues to grow as a leadership cornerstone.

Our Annual Conference, chaired by Patrick Alexander, takes place May 7, 2026. The day will open with high energy from keynote James Ferguson, known for transforming workplace culture through “Confetti Culture,” and close with Mitch Momazov, who brings dynamic, hands-on engagement. Featured sessions include:

Beyond programming, SHRM SRQ continues to invest in the community. We are partnering with Children’s First to support families through mock interviews and bilingual employer panels, and working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to prepare youth for the workforce. We also collaborated with New College of Florida during Career Opportunities in Business Week, serving as panelists for students exploring career pathways.

By Amber J. Rees, SHRM-SCP, PHR, Director, District 7

Amber is an influential HR leader with 18+ years of experience at GLE Associates, Inc., where she spearheads transformative people initiatives aligned with the organization’s strategic goals. As Director of People Operations, she partners closely with senior leadership to drive effective workforce strategies and operational excellence. Known for her disciplined, solutions-focused approach to HR planning, Amber thrives in fast-paced environments and successfully implements initiatives that support business growth while improving efficiency and controlling costs.

A proven communicator and strategic partner, Amber balances organizational objectives with employee needs across the full employee lifecycle. Her expertise spans talent acquisition, retention, succession planning, job design, performance management, leadership development, and organizational change. She is passionate about building strong workplace cultures and aligning people strategies with business outcomes.

Amber is actively involved in the HR profession and SHRM. She previously served as President of SHRM Pinellas (formerly SuncoastHR) and held multiple leadership roles including President-Elect, Treasurer, Conference Director, Webmaster/communications and Membership/Hospitality Chair. She currently serves on the chapter’s Leader Legacy Council and has been an affiliated member since 2016. At the state level, Amber serves as a District Director for  SHRM Florida. In recognition of her leadership and impact, she was named the 2023 HR Florida Professional of the Year and was a Small Organization Nominee for Tampa Bay HR Person of the Year in 2019.

Amber holds a Master of Science in Human Resources and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Saint Petersburg College. She also earned a Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of South Florida and holds both the SHRM-SCP and PHR professional certifications.

Interestingly, Amber’s career path includes experience in a completely different field. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging (Echocardiography) and was previously credentialed as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer. This diverse background reflects her adaptability and ability to excel across disciplines.

Outside of work, Amber enjoys spending time on the beach, being outdoors, biking to local breweries, and making memories with family and friends.