February 2026 Newsletter 
A Message from Our President
Happy February SHRM Howard County!
I hope that you’ve each stayed warm and safe during this unparalleled spate of cold weather that we’re experiencing!
Our SHRM Howard County Board conducted our Board Retreat on January 14 in the Fello office in Linthicum, MD. Fello www.fello.org generously sponsored our retreat, offering their conference and training facility for our use and providing meals and beverages for the retreat. We’re incredibly thankful to Fello, and to Bradley Welsh, Talent Experience Business Partner at Fello and our President-Elect, for facilitating this sponsorship!
In addition to connecting and reviewing all things SHRM at the national, state, and local levels, we discussed the overarching theme of ENGAGEMENT, and how we will carry this out in every aspect of our chapter.
· HR Community:
o Welcoming and plugging-in visitors and new and current members to our HR community.
o Regular communication via social media, newsletters and emails regarding upcoming chapter events and HR news. Share your work anniversaries and professional accomplishments with us, we’re happy to celebrate these with you!
o Job Opportunities: Enhanced sharing of HR job opportunities with those who are seeking a new role.
· Chapter Meetings:
o Connecting and engaging with attendees and members.
o Providing great HR-based programs and recertification credits, with follow-up resources where applicable.
o Meeting at a central location, with great amenities, and an awesome breakfast.
· Professional Development:
o Encouraging and supporting you in the attainment of SHRM certifications and recertification credits.
o Provision of Legislative Affairs updates and timely DEI resources and content.
· Committees:
o Dive deeper into community, expand your HR network and relationships, and sharpen your skillset by serving on a committee!
o We offer engagement and connection through volunteer opportunities on one of our 11 committees. It’s the best way to connect with others in our chapter!
· Conferences:
o Connecting you with conference and learning opportunities at the state and national level.
· HR Service to Our Community:
o College Relations: Providing opportunities to engage and support our community via participation in College Relations and our Mentorship Program Stay tuned for exciting plans for our Community College!
o Workforce Readiness and Development Opportunities in support of our school system (mock interviews with high school students), in support of our community’s career fairs (resume reviews) and in support of workforce development efforts to connect untapped talent with local businesses.
o HR and Community: Highlighting awareness of and providing opportunities for support of both HR and community organizations. Stay tuned for details about the Tina Pavlish Memorial Scholarship that our chapter sponsors.
· And more! Stay tuned!
Chapter Meeting Venue Change, Beginning March 19th:
We have immensely enjoyed conducting our Chapter Meetings at Cured/18th & 21st. Their staff has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of our morning meetings, plus they serve an amazing breakfast! However, our February meeting will be our last meeting (for the present) at Cured.
Beginning with our March 19th meeting, our monthly chapter meetings will be at the Maryland Innovation Center, located at 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr in Columbia, MD. And we’ll continue to enjoy an amazing breakfast (now provided by Victoria Catering)! See the related article within this newsletter, as well as the website, for more information.
Wishing you a February of personal and professional fulfillment!
April Perry
Chapter President, SHRM Howard County
Welcome your new Board of Directors!
Please join me in thanking each of our members who have committed to serve and to lead our chapter this year! We’re excited to start the year off with a fully staffed board! We’ll feature spotlights of our board members in our monthly newsletter and in our upcoming chapter meetings.
Our Board Members chair our 11 working committees. Join them in an area of interest to you – previous experience is not needed, solely a willingness to learn and to “do”. Contact Kathy Martin, our Volunteer/Nominations Chair at [email protected] or visit our Volunteer Application to learn more about our committees and how you can join!
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April Perry |
President |
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Bradley Welsh |
President-Elect |
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Kimberly Prescott |
Immediate Past President |
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Keith O’Neil |
Treasurer |
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Monica McMellon-Ajayi |
Secretary |
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Keli Wilson |
Membership Experience |
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Mindy Guisewite |
Programs |
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Nomi Schmuckler |
College Relations |
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Greta Barnes |
Sponsorship |
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Celina Figueroa |
Communications |
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Linda Robertson |
Communications |
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Aisha Jorge Massengill |
Legislative Affairs |
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Kenia Long |
Workforce Development |
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Nakesha Hill |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
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Kathy Martin |
Volunteer and Nominations |
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Colleen Carmichael |
Professional Development |
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Joanne Grant |
SHRM Foundation Champion/Be Charitable |
Chapter Happenings
SHRM Howard County: Connecting and Engaging throughout the month of January
January offered our chapter opportunities to engage and build community during our Start Strong Happy Hour event and to engage with the larger community during our Job Search Strategies Webinar.
Our Start Strong 2026 Happy Hour was held at Victoria Gastro Pub, a 2026 SHRM Howard County sponsor. Our attendees, both members and first-time chapter visitors, enjoyed the ambience of the dedicated private space that Victoria’s provided for our event. Networking, delicious appetizers and drinks, sharing and laughing were enjoyed by all! Plus, our chapter raffled a Victoria Catering gift card in the amount of $50 (Rebecca Watson was the lucky winner) and a Victoria Gastro Pub $50 gift card (lucky winner: Collen Carmichael). What a wonderful way to kickstart the year! Our next happy hour will take place in June. Stay tuned for details!
Our free Job Search Strategies Lunch and Learn Webinar took place on January 28th and was led by Nomi Schmuckler, our College Relations Board Chair and resident Job Search Strategies expert. Nomi has continually updated her Job Search Strategies to include current resources and address current challenges. Nomi goes beyond the discussion of “job hunting tips”; indeed, she provides a comprehensive framework for conducting a job search. Most attendees were not members of our chapter nor were the majority HR professionals. The webinar proved to be an engaging session, with attendees asking questions and frequently commenting on the content. One attendee commented in the Zoom chat, “This had great content! I have actionable items I will start utilizing right away. Thank you for your time and efforts putting this together and presenting this! It’s truly appreciated.” Webinar attendees will receive a copy of the presentation and the video.
We’re thankful to Nomi for her willingness to share her knowledge to help others in our community. Our chapter seeks to provide our HR members with opportunities to share their knowledge with members of our larger community. Stay tuned for the next Job Search Strategies Webinar and for other opportunities to impact our community!
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING
Using AI to Improve Human Communication
Speaker: Dan Kaplan
Date: February 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Cured/18th & 21st
10980 Grantchester Way, Suite 110
Columbia, MD 21044
About our Program:
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn't just about robots and self-driving cars. It's revolutionizing how we connect and collaborate. But how can we harness its power to enhance our communication skills and build stronger relationships?
In this engaging and interactive presentation, we will explore AI tools and technologies transforming communication, discover how AI can analyze communication patterns, identify biases, and provide personalized feedback to help you become a more effective communicator.
We will also learn how AI can break down language barriers, foster empathy, and facilitate meaningful conversations across distances; explore how AI can help resolve conflicts, improve team collaboration, and navigate difficult conversations with greater ease and confidence; and glimpse into the exciting possibilities AI holds for revolutionizing communication.
Through learning by doing, this presentation will help participants discover valuable insights and practical strategies for leveraging AI to connect, collaborate, and communicate more effectively.
MARCH MONTHLY MEETING
**note new location**
HR's Strategic Long Game: How Internal Communications Turns Burnout into Buy-In and Creates a Roadmap for Reputation Management
Speaker: Rachael Shackelford Dussuau
Date: March 19, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Maryland Innovation Center
6751 Columbia Gateway Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
About our Program:
HR professionals are expected to navigate constant unpredictability, keep the organization steady, support employees, and protect culture. If even one ball is dropped, it can all fall apart. This session explores HR’s new strategic long game: how internal communications can build organizational buy-in and support reputation management. We will focus on why a clear communications roadmap is essential to reducing unnecessary professional stress.
Participants will leave with practical strategies to:
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strengthen morale,
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reduce reactive fire drills, and
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help employees feel invested in the organization’s success, both in times of calm and during the most challenging moments of change.
News You Can Use
BIG NEWS! VENUE CHANGE COMING!
Starting at our March 19 meeting, we’re changing locations for our monthly chapter meetings. We’ll now be gathering at Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) at 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr, Columbia, MD 21046. Maryland Innovation Center serves as a premier incubator and accelerator fostering entrepreneurship, collaboration, and growth right in the heart of Howard County’s innovation ecosystem.
You’ll find us in the Platinum Meeting Room on the first floor, just past the security check-in desk. We’re excited about this change, as it allows us to accommodate more attendees and better support the continued growth and evolving needs of our chapter.
We’re also proud to share that Maryland Innovation Center will be a Sponsor of our chapter for 2026, and that food will now be provided by Victoria Catering! We know you’ll appreciate the fresh setting and enhanced meeting experience. Mark your calendar and we’ll see you there in March.
We’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to Cured 18th & 21st for graciously hosting our chapter meetings and for their continued service, partnership, and hospitality. We truly appreciate their support of SHRM Howard County.
Sponsorship Opportunities
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
We're thrilled to announce that we're now accepting sponsors for our 2026 Chapter events! This is a fantastic opportunity for companies to gain significant visibility and engage with our professional community throughout the year.
As a 2025 Annual Sponsor, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits including:
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2 Professional/Associate Memberships
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Complimentary attendance for 2 persons to every monthly chapter meeting
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Company Logo on our website and presentation slides
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5-Minute Presentation at 2 pre-determined chapter meetings
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Company Literature at meetings
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Social Media Exposure on LinkedIn, our Newsletter, and more
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Gain visibility and connect with industry leaders.
Happy Hour Sponsor - Only 1 Happy Hour Sponsorship Remaining!
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5-Minute Presentation at Happy Hour
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Company Literature at Happy Hour
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Social Media exposure throughout the month of the selected happy hour
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Review more details on our Sponsorship Page on the SHRM Howard County Website or contact our Board Member, Greta Barnes to secure your spot and make a lasting impact in 2026!
D.I.Y. - Diversity In You
Beyond the Policy - Six Actionable Steps to Foster Inclusion in the Workplace
In a volatile economic climate, workplace inclusion has evolved from a cultural ideal into a critical performance driver. Beyond simple representation, a truly inclusive environment ensures that every individual has the structures and psychological safety needed to contribute based on merit. This strategic focus directly impacts the bottom line, driving higher innovation, boosting employee retention, and strengthening overall morale. When organizations move past compliance to create spaces where employees feel seen and valued, they unlock the full potential of their diverse perspectives.
To help leaders bridge the gap between policy and practice, SHRM highlights six key steps to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace:
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Understanding the Importance of Inclusion- Inclusion begins with leaders who not only acknowledge its importance but actively model behaviors. Organizations must acknowledge the importance of inclusion and the impact it has on the work environment.
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Establish a Clear Inclusion Policy- Organizations should develop a clear policy that reflects commitment to inclusion and diversity. For example, utilizing frameworks such as SHRM’s BEAM (Belonging Enhanced by Access through Merit) ensures that inclusion efforts are rooted in fairness and equal opportunity.
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Provide Training and Resources- Organizations should provide ongoing learning and development opportunities that are focused on inclusion and diversity. Focus on practical skills such as unconscious bias mitigation, cultural intelligence, and reskilling for a changing workforce to ensure every employee has the tools to succeed.
Foster Open Communication- Encourage employees to engage in open communication about inclusion and diversity among all levels in the organization. Create structured environments, such as Inclusion Counsels or Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), where workers feel safe to voice concerns.
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Measure Progress-In order to measure progress of the inclusion initiatives key performance indicators (kpi’s) must be established. In this step HR professionals are asked to look beyond the participation rates and examine promotion parity, pay equity, and retention of underrepresented talent.
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Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity-The organization can recognize diverse perspectives through activities and events. For example, recognizing and reward inclusive behaviors in performance reviews to ensure that a sense of belonging is woven into the very fabric of the organization’s culture.
Career Corner
Check out these job opportunities and contact us to have your listing here!!
Human Resources Generalist - Baltimore MD
Howard County Government HR positions
Maryland SHRM State Council Job Resources
If you have any opportunities that you would like to have us include here, please email [email protected].
