NIHRA Cares

Rooted in Growth

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140480/fan_mail/new] At this year's NIHRA Annual Conference, we are celebrating what keeps us grounded, growing, and passionate in our profession. In this episode, Ed San Inocencio, Lisa Bresley & Sarah Henschen talk about what's in store for NIHRA's 20th Annual Conference.

The AI‑Ready HR Leader

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140480/fan_mail/new] HR is staring at a crossroads where AI is no longer a headline but a daily reality shaping how we recruit, support, develop, and plan our workforce. We start by celebrating new members and incoming board leaders, then move straight into a candid, practical guide to using AI with wisdom, not hype. From resume parsing and candidate matching to chat-based HR assistants, policy summaries, and risk-sensing analytics, we map the real use cases you can deploy now and the pitfalls to avoid. The heart of the conversation is governance. We dig into data privacy, bias, explainability, and the growing regulatory landscape, making it clear that employers—not vendors—own the outcomes. You’ll hear a field-tested story of automation turning eight hours of toil into 30 minutes of oversight, and why that mindset shift matters for every HR leader. We lay out guardrails you can use immediately: minimum necessary data, human in the loop for high-impact decisions, and radical transparency that earns employee trust instead of eroding it. We also tackle the human side. Most jobs won’t vanish, but tasks will change fast. Reskilling cannot be a slogan; it must be funded with time, training, and manager accountability. We frame HR’s evolving role as interpreter and architect of decision design, translating algorithmic signals into fair, defensible choices. Scenario modeling, forward-looking analytics, and AI literacy become the bridge from reaction to strategy. And we close by redefining human advantage: let AI handle the predictable while people lead with creativity, judgment, and empathy. Ready to lead the future of work with clarity and care? Follow the show, share this episode with your team, and leave a review with one action you’ll take to build better governance and trust around AI.

2025 HR INDIANA SHRM CONFERENCE

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140480/fan_mail/new] October Luncheon with Cassandra Faurote 2025 HR Indiana SHRM Conference John’s Crazy Socks – John & Mark Cronin Amy Wright – Milestone Contractors Hilary Kanyi – City of Bloomington Patricia Miller – Diversified Recruitment Services Keisha Underwood, Kittle Property Group Bethany Adams, Villanova University  Kristi Wilkerson, Brown & Brown Insurance Jandi Dean, isolved Talent Acquisition James Mitchell, Minnetrista Marcie Anderson, Quontic Bank Gerald Bush, GBKB Consulting Stephen Gray, Circle Health Partners Mike Mecklenburg, Paylocity Daysi Hopkins, Huston Electric, Inc. Scott Howard, BlueHive Lisa Bresley, One Eleven Design Chad Huffman, Marsh McLennan Agency Erin Stevens, Fortune Brands Innovations Denise McCormick, Leaders Staffing Joyita Bandyopadhyay, Limit Break Bob East, artofbeast.com Hunter Hartman, IU School of Medicine Amy, Plymouth Indiana Chelsea Schmelz, Compass Senior Living Tracy Benzinger, Zing! Recruiting Alan Smeltzer, Growing Kids Learning Center Amanda Sparks, Cook Medical Danielle Baumer, Ahaus Tool & Engineering Amy Metzger, TLC Management, LLC McKenzie Michel, McGohan Brabender Shawn Rutkowski, Holland LP Melissa Lock – Welch Packaging Heather Staggs, Indiana University Indianapolis Jason Suthimer, MAC – North Central SHRM DISRUPTHRFW.com

NIHRA Cares

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140480/fan_mail/new] Mental health is a critical issue that's often overlooked in the workplace, especially for HR professionals who are expected to support everyone else while managing their own wellbeing. • 84% of workers faced at least one mental health challenge in the past year • 65% of workers say their organization claims to care about mental health, but 45% report actions say otherwise • Untreated mental health conditions cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity • Standard EAP programs often provide only six free sessions, which is rarely enough • The stigma against HR professionals admitting they're struggling creates additional barriers • 208 million acts of workplace incivility occur daily, with 58% happening in the workplace • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Indiana children ages 10-14 NIHRA Cares is being established as a nonprofit to provide financial assistance, educational resources, and community support for HR professionals struggling with mental health. For immediate help, text 494949 to RemedyLive.com to connect with a live agent who can provide support and resources. nihracares.org [https://nihracares.org/]

Fierce Not Fear: Mastering Hard Workplace Conversations

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140480/fan_mail/new] Hard conversations at work are universally avoided, yet they're essential for maintaining healthy workplace relationships. Susan Scott's "Fierce Conversations" teaches us that every interaction shapes our relationships, making honest communication crucial for stopping workplace dysfunction. • Small issues like missing cafeteria forks can snowball into major workplace drama when no one addresses them directly • Fear prevents honest conversations – we're afraid of being seen as aggressive or creating conflict • The "nice workplace" culture can lead to serious consequences when people can't admit they're overwhelmed • Interrogating reality means seeking truth even when it's uncomfortable and challenging the status quo  • Coming out from behind yourself requires showing up authentically rather than hiding behind professional personas • Vulnerability builds trust – saying "I don't know" or "I made a mistake" demonstrates self-awareness and courage • Corporate jargon and scripted responses act as escape routes from meaningful dialogue • Being authentic feels awkward but is actually a leadership superpower Join us next time as we continue exploring the principles of fierce conversations and how they can transform your workplace relationships.