i.c.stars |* Milwaukee presents

iOpener/HR Roundtable 2025

From Hire to Inspire: Engaging and Retaining the Next Generation

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Join us for the inaugural iOpener/HR Roundtable, where we’ve merged two of our most impactful thought leadership events into one powerful experience. This exclusive gathering brings together Tech Leaders and their HRBP/CHRO counterparts for meaningful collaboration and connection.

Throughout this dynamic event, we’ll explore critical talent strategies including: engaging and retaining emerging talent, leveraging AI in hiring and onboarding, tapping into non-traditional talent pipelines, implementing effective upskilling/reskilling programs, and successfully managing multi-generational teams.

This is truly a can’t-miss opportunity for forward-thinking technology and HR leaders. Secure your spot today!

All-inclusive conference pass includes:

• Buffet breakfast starting at 7:30 AM
• Inspiring Keynote & Panel speakers (announcing speakers soon)
• Engaging table discussions led by our VIP table hosts
• Opportunities to connect with Cycle 18 i.c.stars interns; and alumni
• Seeing firsthand the impact that this program has on our interns lives and within our local technology community
• Two dedicated networking breaks

2025 iOpener/HR Roundtable Speakers

MC for the event- Corry Jo Biddle, Vice President Talent and Community Affairs, MMAC

Alumni Employer Panel

Taking us through each of their unique stories of the impact that their i.c.stars residents and alumni are having on their organizations, how they are changing minds and changing the way that workforce is being sourced.

Moderator – Amanda Schmidt, Human Resources Director, Generac

• William Cummings, CISO, Generac, joined by alumni Luciano Salinas
• Sarah Dollhausen Clark, Assistant Director, Talent Partnership & Pipelines, Northwestern Mutual joined by resident Luz Mercado
• Salm Hilgendorf, CIO, Fox World Travel joined by resident Olivia Veloz
• Mike Nichols, Senior IT Manager, Quad joined by resident Cam Johnson

AI Fireside Chat

• Moderator Celeste Cuffie brings 15+ years of expertise in corporate education, executive coaching, and organizational development, with a sharp focus on how technology is reshaping the workplace

• ChaChi Bot will explore how managers are using AI through the employee lifecycle
• Betsy Robinson will explore “Hire like a Human, Scale like a Machine,” sharing her organization bold leap into Agentic AI
• Doug Wetzel presents “Adapting AI: Transforming Disability to Ability,” revealing how a health scare made traditional work challenging – but opened new doors through AI

Join these Executive Leaders from both IT and HR that will be in attendance
Check back frequently as this list will grow weekly!

• Cristina Abbagnaro, Senior Human Resources Officer, Uline

• Erin Allen, Director – IT Strategy, Digital & Architecture, Sargento

• Dr. Victor Amaya, President & Executive Director, Data You Can Use

• Kelly Armstrong, President, Kenosha Innovation Center

• Genaro Baez, Director HR Operations, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, Milwaukee County

• Cordeo Barkley, Partner, Title Town Tech

• Corry Jo Bittle, Vice President, Talent and Community Affairs, MMAC

• Gary Branger, VP, Information Technology, Infinity Home Services

• Ann Britt, Director, Business Applications | SMC, Microsoft

• Patricia Cabral-Mercado, Sr. Director of Software Engineering, Northwestern Mutual

• James Cayemberg, Program Manager, IT Early Career

• Celeste Cuffie, Chief People Officer, Cream City Cyber

• Sheldon Cuffie, CEO, Cream City Cyber

• William Cummings, VP Chief Information Security Officer, Generac

• Sarah Dollhausen-Clark, Assistant Director, Talent Partnership & Pipelines, Northwestern Mutual

• Bill Eismont, CIO, Uline

• Sam England, CHRO, Potawatomi Casino Hotel

• Sandi Esquivel, Assistant Director of Software Engineering, Northwestern Mutual

• Dani Fusco, Assistant Director, Learning Experience, Northwestern Mutual

• Juan Fiallo, Technology Leader – Head of North America, Manpower Group

• Mark Fedyk, President & CEO, Jockey

• Meghan Focht, Director of Human Capital, Concurrency

• Ken Garfinkel, CIO, Broan NuTone

• Julie Geyer, CHRO, Broan NuTone

• Jodi Greenmeier, Chief People Officer, Landmark Credit Union

• Steve Hannan, CIRO, Landmark Credit Union

• Joe Herington, CIDO, Charter Manufacturing

• Tony Hetchler, Sr. Manager, Program Management – Supply Chain

• Sam Hilgendorf, CIO, Fox World Travel

• James Hischke, Director of IT, Corporate Functions, Clarios

• Kerrie Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman Digital

• Janet Jones, Assistant Director – Support Engineering, Northwestern Mutual

• Idella Kangas, Director, Economic and Employer Engagement, University of Wisconsin System

• Rashi Khosla, Founder & CEO, Mars Solutions

• Nathan Lasnoski, CTO US, SVP of Technology, Neudesic

• Kelly Leith, VP of HR, Fox World Travel

• Marni Lemberger, Regional Human Resources Manager, Generac

• Sharon Loomis, Director of HR Technology, Charter Manufacturing

• Pam Meenalochani, Director IT, Global ERP & Supply Chain Delivery, Clarios

• Justin Mendez, Technology Innovation – Product Manager, Molson Coors Beverage Company

• Josh Miller, Director of Network and End User Services, Michels

• Dale Mittlestaedt, CTO, Novus Home Mortgage

• Maura Packam, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, Quad

• Sandy Padala, CEO, Rex Academy

• Anissa Perkins, Assistant Director Leadership Development Field & Talent & Performance

• Kolina Painter, Employment Brand Leader, Michels

• Anu Pakala – Sr. Director of Software Engineering, Northwestern Mutual

• Shaggy Patel, Assistant Director, Talent Acquisition, Northwestern Mutua

• Carlee Peppy, HR Business Partner – SWV, Technology & Innovation, Rockwell Automation

• Tom Rippinger, Director, Thought Leadership Global Insights, Manpower

• Miguel Rodriguez, Sr. Recruiter, Sargento

• Rick Rodriguez, AVP Sr. Product Manager, US Bank

• Notoane Russell, Vice President – Enterprise Security Architecture, Morgan Stanley

• Candace Sanchez, Director, HIT Strategic Partnerships, Advocate Aurora Health

• Amanda Schmidt, Human Resources Director, Generac

• Julie Surrett, Senior IT Application Development Manager, Church Mutual

• Aaron Towns, Director Commercial Banking, BMO

• Kyle Utley, CTO, Landmark Credit Union

• Lori Videkovich, Sr. Director Digital Engineering, Generac

• Ron Vissers, VP IT

• Sarah Weseloh, HR Director – Learning & Development Instructor, MRA

A Huge Thank You to the iOpener/HR Roundtable 2025 Event Sponsors:

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to i.c.stars Milwaukee’s Annual Event Sponsors:

Individual & Annual Event Sponsorship Opportunities are available.   iOpener/HR Roundtable single event sponsorships range from $2,500 to $7,000 and provide a variety of benefits.    Email sales@icstars.org for more information.