DisruptHR Buffalo
About this Event
Join us on October 7 at The Barrel Factory for networking and lots of disruptive 5-minute talks by local business experts.
***DON'T HAVE PAYPAL OR EXPERIENCING ISSUES REGISTERING? SIGN UP HERE INSTEAD!***
Disrupt is an information exchange designed to energize, inform and empower executives, business leaders, and people in and around HR.
The format: Local experts will present for 5 minutes each. It's fast-paced, entertaining, and lots of fun!
Agenda
5:00 - 6:30 - Registration and networking
6:30-6:40 - Event introductions with LaTashia Martin and Carolyn Case
6:40-6:50 - Partner talks including Laura Azzarella, President at Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association (BNHRA)
6:50 - 8:10 - 5-minute presentations by local leadership, recruitment, tech and HR experts including:
- Brian Tucker, Director, Human Resources at Elior North America
- Mel Lauricella, Senior Human Resources Manager at Safran
- Jodi Rzepka, former HR Manager at Spectrum (Charter Communications)
- Carlette Bradley, Employee Experience Manager at Excellus BCBS
- Eren Ikiz, Founder at Improva Inc
- Austin Martin, Outreach Specialist at Northland Workforce Training Center
8:10 - 8:30 - Thanks and wrap up
Interested in being an event partner? .
Professionals will come together for an evening of inspiring speakers and lots of networking:
- Hear what leaders and workplace innovators are doing in 2026 to improve the workplace
- Discover innovative approaches to how companies are disrupting current practices and adding value to the business community
- Network with forward-thinking leaders, tech pros, consultants and HR people - we want to ensure we network and build connections
Past Speakers include:
- Dr. Kristy F. Tyson, President-Elect of ATD Buffalo Niagara Chapter
- Joe O'Connor, CEO & Co-Founder at Work Time Reduction
- James Potter, Head of Business Development at Hemsley Fraser
- Ari Kwiatkowski, Labor & Employment Attorney at Barclay Damon LLP
- Pauline James, Founder of Anchor HR Services
- Joshua Siegal, Fractional Chief People Officer, Advisor, Investor and Speaker
- Ginine Capozzi, L&D Consultant & Owner at KnowledgeForce Consulting LLC
- Jack Martin, President at J. Fitzgerald Group
- Chris Bjorling, President at Fidello Inc.
Partners and Sponsors
Headline Partner: The SWIM Institute
The SWIM Institute awards the Certified SWIM™ Practitioner credential to HR leaders who diagnose and change workforce behavior at scale. Strategic Workforce Insight Mapping (SWIM) is a diagnostic methodology for reading an organization as a system. It traces the behavior a leadership team is trying to correct back to the environmental factors producing it, establishes what is actually happening across the workforce, and defines what has to change for the organization's trajectory to change. The HR profession trains administration, compliance, employee relations, and coaching. Organizational change at scale is a separate discipline, and most HR executives who can do it learned it by accident of experience. This credential makes that capability teachable, assessable, and verifiable. Learn more: swim.institute
Community Partner: Wayforward
Wayforward is an advisory practice. Clients engage us directly to run the SWIM™ diagnostic inside their organization. Human Systems science and proprietary analytics map the current state of employee behavior and pinpoint the root cause relationships driving behavioral and business outcomes. The method taught in the Certified SWIM Practitioner curriculum was built in this practice with fifty different client organizations across the US, and it continues to be tested here. Learn more: wayforward.work
Community Partner: SHRM New York State
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world’s largest HR professional society representing 300,000 members in more than 165 countries. SHRM New York State is the local affiliate of SHRM that supports the 15 local chapters across New York. Their mission is to HR with EASE (Engage, Advise, Support, Educate). The 2026 SHRM New York State Conference will be held in Buffalo, NY from September 28-30, 2026. Learn more and register here.
Community Partner: NHRA Western NY
The National Human Resources Association - Western New York Affiliate (WNY NHRA) is a regional professional organization that empowers human resources professionals, supports local business growth, and enhances HR practices in Western New York. Learn more: humanresources.org/NHRA-Western-New-York
Organizing Partner: HR Gazette
HR Gazette and the HRchat Podcast publishes the latest opinion, reviews, and news for pros interested in HR Technology, Talent, DEI, Performance, Wellness, Learning, and Leadership. Learn more: hrgazette.com
Organizing Partner: VonSwy Solutions
VonSwy Solutions is a certified WMBE business growth consulting firm that helps organizations align their people, processes and technology with strategic business goals. Combining expertise in human capital strategy, organizational development and behavioral assessments, VonSwy partners with business leaders to create measurable, data-driven solutions that improve performance, strengthen teams and support sustainable growth. Learn more: vonswy.com
More About DisruptHR
DisruptHR is a community of innovative HR pros, TA execs, and leaders.
Are you tired of the same old approach to Human Resources? Are you ready to start talking about talent in a whole new way? DisruptHR is for you! This is unlike any other HR event in Buffalo.
DisruptHR is built on the belief that how we’ve approached people and talent in the past won’t be the best way to approach them in the future. DisruptHR is founded on the idea that ALL business leaders (and that includes you, HR!) need to be ready to take some risks, to stir the pot…in short, to DISRUPT.
* Registering for this event with a free ticket does not guarantee entry. Capacity is limited and this event is specifically designed for HR, Talent pros, and leaders. If you do not fit the criteria your application to attend may be rejected. Guests of sponsors, speakers and attendees with paid-for tickets will receive priority.
DATA PRIVACY & GDPR
DisruptHR Buffalo's license is held by Iceni Media Inc. and your data security is taken seriously. To inform you of future events, we would like to use the information you supply during registration and you will have the option to opt-in to this as you register. You can also opt-out at any time. To allow the sponsors of this event to continue the conversation, your registration details will be passed to them. You can opt out of their communications at any time including during registration. You can see more about the security of your data on the Privacy Policy at The HR Gazette.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 20.79
