Supporting People and Developing Leaders: From Frontline to Executive

May 20, 2026 11:30am - 01:00pm PDT

Meeting Virtual

Organizer

SHRM Northstate

Location

Zoom

Pricing

$10 for SHRM Northstate Members

$20 for non-members

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OUR PROGRAM:

Join us for an engaging panel discussion where industry experts from Jen Allen and Sienna Daniel will delve into the critical importance of investing in leadership development across all organizational levels. Moderated by Mike Mulqueeney, VP of Business Development of Johnson & Dugan, the session will highlight the current imbalance in corporate learning and development HR  spending, which sees a significant skew towards senior leaders, leaving frontline staff under-supported.

The panel will explore the consequences of this disparity, including high frontline turnover and weak manager pipelines, and present a compelling case for rebalancing investment. Learn from real-world examples, such as the successful CVS Health pilot, and discover how strategic investments in frontline support and manager development can drive measurable returns, reduce absenteeism, and enhance customer satisfaction.

HR leaders will gain actionable insights on how to advocate for a more equitable distribution of HR L&D resources within their organizations. The discussion will emphasize the role L&D can play as a profit driver rather than a cost center, showcasing data-driven approaches and success stories to secure executive buy-in.

Looking ahead, the panel will propose a holistic, three-tiered investment model encompassing frontline support, manager development, and executive leadership. This comprehensive approach aims to create organizational stability, resilience, and sustainable performance.

Participate in a dynamic Q&A, where attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the panelists and reflect on their own company's HR led L&D strategies. Take away actionable steps to rebalance your L&D portfolio and ensure that supporting people and developing leaders is embedded as a core business strategy for long-term success.

OUR SPEAKERS:

Sienna Daniel is the Co-Founder and President of Escalate. She has nearly 20 years of experience in business management, education and workforce development. Prior to starting Escalate, Sienna was Chief Growth & Impact Officer and built the business development operation of the organization. After receiving her MBA from The Ohio State University in 2003, Sienna worked in corporate roles for a few years before deciding to follow her true passion to provide support and pathways for economic advancement for marginalized populations. Sienna’s mission has been to open doors for others as they have been opened for her. She has done that through teaching with Teach For America, leading the Ohio chapter of After-School All-Stars, her work at Generation and now, Escalate

Jen Allen is a Senior Leadership Development Partner at Careerminds (formerly Keystone Partners) with 20 years of experience spanning HR business partnership, organizational effectiveness, management consulting, and business development. A trusted advisor to senior leaders and executives, Jen specializes in leadership development, change management, and building people strategies that drive real business results.Jen has partnered with organizations across industries, from Fortune 100 companies to high-growth consulting firms, to develop employees and managers at all levels, design performance frameworks, and build leadership pipelines that stick. Her career spans roles at Western Union, Korn Ferry, and Slalom Consulting, where she led large-scale talent and organizational transformation initiatives impacting hundreds of employees.She holds an MS in Learning & Organizational Change from Northwestern University and certifications in Organizational & Leadership Coaching, Hogan Assessments, and Brené Brown's Dare to Lead. Jen also serves as Board President of Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Colorado.

OUR SPONSOR:

Johnson & Dugan Insurance Services

We make it easy –for you and your workforce.  Since 1983, Johnson & Dugan highest priority has been to make it easy for any company to expertly plan and administer their employee benefits plans.  Unlike other employee benefits consulting firms, J&D does not deliver one-size-fits-all solutions — we work with you to deliver the right mix of expertise, products, services and support based on the scope of your needs — with the flexibility necessary to adapt to your changing organization.

J&D’s staff of professionals has deep-rooted industry partnerships, valued experience and a broad service portfolio that will help you:

  • create the ideal benefits program for your company;
  • identify ways to control costs and maximize your company’s and your employees’ benefits dollars;
  • ensure that you stay in compliance along the way;
  • manage the myriad of day-to-day program tasks;
  • communicate the portfolio of plans and services to your employees and their families; and
  • stay connected with the latest technology to streamline every aspect of your program.

Find out how a partnership with Johnson & Dugan will help you align your benefits strategy to broader initiatives, reduce your HR workload and improve efficiencies company-wide. And learn how we can make it easier for you along the way.

Visit us at https://johnsondugan.com/