about us
Take a look at our events—where HR professionals come together to CONNECT, LEARN AND GROW!
These highlights capture the energy and spirit of the NYC SHRM community.
who we are
New York City SHRM, founded in 1948, is the first and longest-standing affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), proudly holding Chapter #0001. For over 75 years, we’ve been a leading voice for HR and people-focused professions in New York City —fostering connection, advancing careers, and shaping the future of the workplace.
As a volunteer-run organization, our strength comes from the dedication of local HR leaders who give their time to support the profession and our members. We are also supported by our management company, Jaffe Management, which helps ensure our programs and operations run seamlessly.
Today, New York City SHRM is one of the largest local SHRM chapters in the nation and most active, known for our innovative programming, conferences, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and a strong tradition of leadership at both the local, state, and national levels. Through professional development opportunities, networking events, and community partnerships, we empower HR professionals to thrive and make a lasting impact on their organizations and people they serve.
our mission
To continue to foster a dynamic community of HR professionals that delivers impactful programs, promotes professional growth, and builds meaningful connections to strengthen people and organizations.
Our Commitment to DEi
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a welcoming chapter culture where diverse perspectives drive innovation. We actively promote DEI within our chapter, workplaces, and communities through our programming, partnerships, and leadership.
our vision
As New York City’s foremost HR association, we inspire and empower practitioners, organizations, and communities through connection, learning, and growth.
past presidents
We proudly recognize our founders and past presidents whose vision and dedication have shaped our chapter over the decades:
founders:
- Lazarus (Larry) Brieger
- Harry Sherman
- Leonard Smith
Board of Directors & Chapter Leadership
New York City SHRM’s Board is made up of a diverse group of accomplished People Professionals who share one common goal: serving our members. Our Board members are passionate about connecting with you, supporting your involvement, and ensuring our chapter continues to deliver value.
Get to know the dedicated leaders behind New York City SHRM — the people who make our association the trusted resource for HR insight, connection, and community in the fast-paced New York market.
Assistant Chief People Officer
NJSEA
Ken Meyer
SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Immediate Past President
SHRM Member Since 2004
Principal
KWM HR Consulting LLC Director
Fredo Alban
Vice President, Conferences
SHRM Member Since 2024
Sr. Operations and HR Manager
STAMP Event Co.
Pamela Brown
CHRO
VP, Marketing & Communications
SHRM Member Since 2024
Head of People & Culture
Crunch Fitness
Samantha DiMercurio
Vice President, Sponsorship
SHRM Member Since 2019
Employee Health and Benefits Consultant
Marsh McLennan Agency
Cassandra Walker
Vice President, Membership
SHRM Member Since 2021
William Ninehan
EDS, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, SPHR
Vice President, Programming
SHRM Member Since 2015
Director, NYIT SOM
Dept of HR & Law
Stuart Friedman
Board Secretary
SHRM Member Since 2015
Chief Talent Officer
HR Talent Alliance
Arnum Wapples
Director/Board Member
SHRM Member Since 2015
Corporate Benefits Advisor
LegalShield
Edwidge Constant
Director/Board Member
SHRM Member Since 2022
Sr. HR & Operations Manager
Barst & Mukamal LLP
Kara C. Yates
Director/Board Member
SHRM Member Since 2019
Senior HR Consultant
Justworks
Arisa Lawrence
Director/Board Member
SHRM Member Since 2022
HR Generalist
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Dr Lisa-Mone Lamontagne
Director/Board Member
SHRM Member Since 2024
Head of HR & Commercial Business Partner, US
Trustpilot
Andrea Goldman
ESQ
Director/Board Member (Executive Network, Governance)
SHRM Member Since 2015
Director, Human Resources
Community Service Society of New York
Celeste Schubert
President-Elect/Board Member
SHRM Member Since 2015
Human Resources Consultant
SHRM-CP, PHR
Aetos Alternatives Management, LP
Managing Director, Head of Human Resources
Marina Manrique
Assistant Treasurer
SHRM Member Since 2017
Director, HR Business Partner & HR Operations
Omnicon Production
Sr. Director of Finance & HR
ASSOCIATION FOR BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE THERAPIES, INC.
committees
To maximize the value of your New York City SHRM membership and strengthen your leadership skills, we encourage you to get involved with our chapter committees. These committees are the driving force behind our organization—welcoming new members, managing revenue-generating events, and creating innovative programming and services that support professional growth.
With 21 committees organized across key areas—including Programs, Membership, Member Services, Communications, Marketing & Sponsorship, Annual Conference, and Annual Awards -there’s a place for every interest and passion. Dedicated volunteers are always invited to CONNECT – LEARN – GROW by contributing their time and talent to NYC SHRM committees.
nyc shrm committees
marketing & communications Committee
The Marketing and PR Committee supports operational marketing efforts for Special Interest Group (SIG) and cornerstone events throughout the year. Exploring new and exciting methods in conjunction with the other communication committees is the primary goal as we continue to increase visibility for each and every event, making NYC SHRM the most visible HR organization in New York City.
Pamela J. Brown
VP, Marketing & Communications
Rae’Gene Valgean
Chair
- Member Profile
- LinkedIn Profile
Nicholas Luczyszyn
Co-Chair
- Member Profile
- LinkedIn Profile
member engagement Committee
The Member Engagement Committee Team coordinates with the leaders of the committees and Special Interest Groups of NYC SHRM to recognize our exceptional volunteers. Certificates of appreciation are awarded to the select members who have made significant contributions towards the continued success of the HR community. We consider our volunteers to be the backbone of our chapter and honor these recipients at the annual chapter meeting with this token of our gratitude.
Leeza Torres
chair
Mahy Helal
Co-Chair
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee provides strategy, tools, and resources for program producers to help ensure world-class, diverse and cutting-edge programs. There are over 40 programs offered throughout the year that provide New York City SHRM members, and non-members, of all levels the opportunity to:
- Network with other Human Resources professionals and leaders in the industry
- Build a solid foundation in HR practices and principles
- Become a strategic partner, and
- Identify practical solutions to overcome challenges at your firm
Programs such as our Annual Legal Updates, Strategic Management Conference, Speaker Select Series and HR Management Conferences are just a few of the events that are produced on a regular basis to meet our objectives.
Cassandra Walker
VP of Membership
Edwidge Constant
chair
Sansaptak De
Co-Chair
mentoring Committee
The Mentoring Program is a fundamental expression of New York City SHRM’s overall commitment to each member’s personal growth and professional development. This awesome program provides the opportunity to apply your real-life wisdom and the benefit of your point-of-view to workplace and personal situations. Regardless of age or career tenure, New York City SHRM believes that all members have something to offer each other. If you are interested in participating on this committee or becoming a mentor/mentee, don’t hesitate to connect with us.
Cathy Diana
chair
Penny McNerney
Co-Chair
orientation Committee
The Orientation Committee is responsible for introducing members to the expanse of New York City SHRM’s offerings. New York City SHRM is a large organization with many opportunities for growth and involvement. It’s important for new and current members to understand the prospects available to them, and Orientation is the best way to discover these possibilities all at once. New York City SHRM member orientations occur every odd numbered month with dates, times, and locations announced via email and on the website. We welcome you to become part of our Orientation Committee!
Arnum Wapples
chair
Edwidge Constant
Co-Chair
- Member Profile
- LinkedIn Profile
Programming Committee
The Programs Committee provides strategy, tools, and resources for program producers to help ensure world-class, diverse and cutting-edge programs. There are over 40 programs offered throughout the year that provide New York City SHRM members, and non-members of all levels the opportunity to:
- Network with other Human Resources professionals and leaders in the industry
- Build a solid foundation in HR practices and principles
- Become a strategic partner, and
- Identify practical solutions to overcome challenges at your firm
Programs such as our Annual Legal Updates, Strategic Management Conferences, Speaker Select Series and HR Management Conferences are just a few of the events that are produced on a regular basis to meet our objectives.
Bill Ninehan
vp of programs
Ingrid Thorp
chair
Kara Yates
Co-Chair
sherman award Committee
The Sherman Award Committee coordinates the annual awarding of the NYC- SHRM Sherman Award to a deserving student of HR Management.
The award honors the memory of Harry Sherman, the first President of our chapter and a major supporter of Human Resources education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The award recognizes a student for their outstanding work within both their local student chapter and NYC-SHRM.
In February of each year, Student Chapter Faculty Advisors will be contacted and provided with the criteria for the nomination and selection process in order to ensure we receive all nominations for consideration by April 15th.
The winner will be announced in May and invited to the Annual Chapter Meeting & Breakfast in June to receive a check of $1,000 and a Certificate of Appreciation. The winner and their accomplishments will be highlighted in the NYC-SHRM Blog.
SHRM Foundation Committee
The SHRM Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit affiliate of SHRM. A leading funder of HR research grants, the Foundation produces publications and educational resources to advance the HR profession. Generous tax deductible donations make the SHRM Foundation’s work possible. The SHRM Foundation Committee educates members about the Foundation’s work and encourages support for the Foundation’s work with tax-deductible donations. The SHRM Foundation awards $100,000 annually in scholarships SHRM members pursuing degrees in HR-related fields or SPHR, GPHR, PHR or California certification.
Ingrid Thorp
Chair
sponsorship Committee
Marketing and Sponsorship is tasked with raising financial support for our chapter events and overall organization. We do this by engaging our valued partners to provide funds or other resources in return for getting positive publicity and exposure to our members.
Samantha DiMercurio
VP of Sponsorship
Erica Sturdefant
Chair
Marina Manrique
Co-Chair
- Member Profile
- LinkedIn Profile
special interest groups
Career Transition
The Career Transition SIG – Special Interest Group is a place to discuss how professionals can manage their careers as pandemic life somehow abides in the U.S. and the economy changes. In this scenario, many individuals are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time.
Formerly called In-Transition SIG, our goal is to welcome not only those currently in transition, but also those who are looking to switch and find a new position, new career, or simply a new path in their lives.
Stuart Friedman
Chair
Janet Forte
Co-Chair
Emerging Professionals
The Emerging Professionals SIG provides educational and networking opportunities for the next generation of HR leaders. Though the focus is on emerging professionals, the Emerging Professional SIG works to enhance communication and promote information sharing among all generations.
The Emerging Professional SIG leverages national resources from SHRM’s EPAC ( Emerging Professional Advisory Council), and local resources from a variety of HR professional and social networks in the New York City-metro area.
The Emerging Professional SIG partners with other SIGs to host professional and social events, and sponsors programs for the NYC HR community.
The Emerging Professional SIG welcomes members of all ages and levels—whether a recent HR grad looking to soak up as much knowledge as possible, or an experienced HR professional looking to mentor a new one.
Johanny Jacobson
Co-Chair
Tamara Litrich
Chair
Employee & Labor Relations
The Employee and Labor Relations SIG provides a forum to discuss and share topical information on issues related to employee and labor relations. The SIG provides a variety of programs with speakers or round table discussions on current “hot” topics and best practices in the employee and labor relations field.
Employee and Labor Relations SIG participants include HR Professionals at the beginning, middle and senior levels of professional development. The purpose of this SIG’S programs is to educate HR professionals regarding current legislative changes on the Local, State and Federal level.
This SIG provides programs on current legal trends and offers best practices for HR professionals.
Linda Carlozzi Esq.
Chair
Laura Victorelli
Co-Chair
Executive Network SIG
The NYC SHRM Executive Network SIG is an exclusive, members only group of the highest level of Human Resources professionals. It includes those individuals who set the strategy for their entire company or division and is comprised of those executives with titles including Director, Senior Director, Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Human Capital Officer, Chief People Officer and the like. Our meetings are held at times in-person and at times virtually.
Overseeing all functions of HR, we are committed to learning about new trends, compliance, sharing best practices, and exchanging ideas with our colleagues, We meet on a monthly basis, and our meetings feature a mixture of roundtable discussions and guest speakers that facilitate exploring the topics that are most important to our current work, share information about vendors, and other important knowledge that supports the work that we are doing. Special features of our SIG are the in-person networking where relationships are nurtured and email exchanges between meetings, when a colleague emails the group to share ideas or request information to assist them with special situations that crop up.
Our group is as good as the participation of its members. Therefore, with becoming a member, you are agreeing to participate in meetings both in person and/or virtually and be actively involved in the above activities. If this sounds like something that you feel will enrich your practice as a Human Resources Executive, then please complete the attached application including providing your resume for consideration.
Andrea L. Goldman, Esq.
Chair
Dina Wald-Margolis, PHR, SHRM-CP
Co-Chair
Global HR
The Global HR SIG hears from experts in the field about best practices and hot topics regarding all aspects of Global HR. Presentations range from cross-cultural topics and global mobility best practices to immigration reform and worldwide employment law.
Steve Safier
Chair
Alexis Feldman
Co-chair
Inclusivity At Work (DEI)
The Inclusivity at work SIG promotes the best workplace diversity and inclusion practices and management principles. It advocates respect for workforce differences including, but not limited to, gender, age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, military or veteran status, parental and pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and religious beliefs and practices.
The Diversity and Inclusion SIG’s activities, events and educational programs focus on enhancing a workplace where employees are treated fairly, are encouraged to contribute to the organization’s success, and have equal opportunity for personal growth and advancement.
Janine Ting Jansen
Chair
Tereen Llewelyn-Miller
Co-Chair
Legal & Legislative
The Legal & Legislative SIG produces both an All-Day Conference and an Annual Legal Update Meeting to address the latest legislative and legal developments of interest to the HR community.
Mission: To keep HR professionals informed and prepared by providing timely insights into the latest legislative and legal developments. Through our signature Annual Legal Update and All-Day Conference, as well as ongoing programming, we equip members with practical knowledge to navigate compliance challenges and advocate effectively within their organizations.
Jennifer Pleva
Chair
Tania Mistretta
Co-Chair
Managers Forum
The New York City SHRM Managers’ Forum meets on a regular basis throughout the year and provides a platform for the exchange of information and ideas on current issues and developments facing HR professionals. Meetings often feature guest speakers in areas such as wage & hour compliance, employee relations, professional development, and other topics of interest to the Forum. Additionally, the group serves as a network of professionals who assist each other on a virtually on-demand basis with work issues members may be confronting. Members are currently employed (or in transition) in an HR Generalist role.
Please complete a Managers’ Forum application here.
Mahy Helal
Co-Chair
- Member Profile
- LinkedIn Profile
Melissa Attebery
chair
Not-for-Profit
The Not-for-Profit SIG develops innovative programs with subject-matter experts that provide effective best practices to the not-for-profit sector, focusing on the special issues that these organizations encounter. HR can customize the practices and practical guidance from the programs to reflect their specific concerns and interests for strategic managerial strategies and action.
Elyse Warner-Lyons
chair
Rob Farfan
Co-Chair
Organizational Development & Change Management
Are organization changes a constant for HR? The Organization Development and Change Management SIG provides a forum for HR practitioners to exchange tools and techniques for designing new organization structures, teams, roles, and capabilities as well as effectively managing the people side of change and transformation to achieve desired outcomes.
Dr. Lisa-Mone Lamontagne
Chair
Howard Rhine
Co-Chair
Professional Development
Learn and grow with the dynamic Professional Development SIG. Enhance your knowledge and skills through various programs determined to make you a better strategic business partner and “earn a seat at the table.” Past program topics have included: Presentation and Public Speaking, Determining your Emotional Intelligence, Interviewing on Both Sides of the Table, and It’s Time to Tweet. Have fun while gaining new knowledge and perfecting your brand!
Arlene C. Newman MBA
Chair
Rajan Lai
Co-Chair
talent acquisition
The Talent Acquisition SIG is a dynamic group of T/A Professionals that meets monthly to discuss best practices in the world of recruiting. Members are Corporate T/A practitioners and Talent Acquisition people from recruiting firms. Our meetings involve a thorough exchange of ideas and concepts of current and futuristic recruiting trends, as well as focus on best practices in hiring. We hold numerous joint committee meetings annually to enhance relations with various other SIGs and to foster better understanding between various HR disciplines.
Allen Geller
chair
Jaimee S. Alfieri
Co-Chair
total rewards
The Total Rewards SIG presents subject matter experts in the field to share best practices, trends and hot topics regarding all aspects of Total Rewards. Presentations range from compensation and benefits topics, total rewards best practices, financial/health wellness to new regulations and legislation impacting employer programs.
Joanne Alicea
Chair
Tracey Thompson
Co-Chair
Women’s Initiatives
The Women’s Initiatives SIG programs focus on ways to educate, advocate and advance both women and men in their professions. A primary objective of this SIG is to ensure that all members and guests have access to education and skills needed to flourish and grow professionally. The Women’s Initiatives SIG events promote career development, strategic networking, effective communication strategies, work-life balance, mentoring, and much more.
Janet Riesel
Chair
Madeline Melenedez
Co-Chair
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a committee
Your membership is more than access — it’s an opportunity to lead, collaborate, and make an impact. Whether you’re interested in programming, events, communications, or member services, there’s a committee that matches your skills and passion.
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let's connect
We’d love to hear from you.
Whether you have questions, ideas, or need support, our team is here to help. Send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Partners
We thank our partners for their collaboration and support.
Together, we unlock opportunities, drive growth, and deliver mutual success.
