Speakers
Cody Byrns
Cody Byrns is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, life coach, and podcast host who helps audiences transform their setbacks into one heck of a comeback!
Cody Byrns is an internationally recognized speaker and a number one best-selling author. In May of 2013, Cody’s life was drastically changed. While stopped at a red light on the highway, Cody was rear-ended by a box-truck that failed to stop. As a result, he was considered dead until first responders saw his hand move. He received many
injuries that day, including severe burns to almost 40% of his body. After years of countless surgeries and rehabilitation, Cody has chosen to not allow his scars to keep him bound in bitterness and defeat. Instead, he uses his story to uplift others.
Cody is helping people live free from the bonds of scars (physical and emotional), equipping them with the proper steps to walk out of their past hurt and defeat, and run towards their God-given potential.
As a thought leader, he speaks worldwide to provide relevant, applicable, and thought-provoking messages. Thousands of people have been impacted by Cody’s story and outlook on life. From school students to business leaders, his presentations have been received by many. Be prepared to have an experience that will motivate you to move out of bondage into a life of freedom!
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Cody founded his own non-profit burns foundation that has been able to help multiple survivors recover. To learn more about this foundation please visit TheCBFoundation.org.
Kelly Merbler
Founding Principal, The Kelly Merbler Company
Kelly Merbler is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and the founding principal of The Kelly Merbler Company, a consulting firm specializing in strengths-based employee engagement and retention programs, leadership development, and culture building.
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Kelly spent twenty-one years as a regional executive with a global staffing organization. She knows that the secret to success is not just hiring the right talent but activating that talent by identifying what people do best and aligning them in the right role for maximum impact.
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Kelly believes that everyone has the ability to be an inspired and transformational leader who empowers others to rise to their greatest potential. She sparks organizations, leaders, and teams to find their passion and purpose by operating in their strengths which leads to more fulfilling personal and professional lives.
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After the loss of her mother to dementia in 2014, Kelly discovered her passion in helping other leaders discover their purpose when she attended a leadership conference where her soon-to-be mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell was the keynote speaker. Since then, she has become a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and faculty member for The John Maxwell Team.
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Kelly’s client list includes New York State and Palm Beach County SHRM chapters, Florida State University, Converse, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Nextera Energy, Hotwire Communications, and Tenet Health among others.
Kelly received her undergraduate degree in Business and Corporate Communications from the University of Central Florida.
Michelle Tatum-Bush
Partner, FordHarrison
Michelle Tatum-Bush provides advice and handles disputes for employers in Florida and with operations throughout the US.
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Her clients represent a wide variety of industries, including construction, brokerages, medical practices, management, insurance, and not-for-profit organizations. Michelle has particular expertise in FMLA and ADA accommodations matters. She is also passionate about helping clients throughout their litigation matters, whether the cases involve discrimination and harassment in the workplace, retaliation against whistleblowers, WARN Act claims or violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in the Employment Act.
Michelle understands the challenges facing employers first hand. Prior to joining FordHarrison, Michelle was a judicial staff attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Jacksonville, Florida, where she oversaw the operation of the Criminal Division and was responsible for hiring, firing, managing, and disciplining attorneys as well as interns. Michelle also served as the Capital Judicial Staff Attorney, appointed by the criminal judiciary to attend all phases of capital murder trials to assist judges with instantaneous research and recommendations on issues that arose during hearings and trials.
Prior to joining FordHarrison, Michelle also served as a Special Master, appointed by the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit on a per case basis to preside over evidentiary hearings regarding petitions for belated appeal filed in the First District of Appeal. In this role Michelle issued written orders to the First District Court of Appeal setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding a petitioner's entitlement to a belated appeal.
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Michelle served eleven years on the Board of Directors for the University of North Florida Alumni Association, serving as its President for two years. During her time serving as Board President Michelle was honored to give graduation commencement speeches at each graduation ceremony, awarded monies raised by the Alumni Association to the first-generation scholarship fund, served as an Ex-Officio board member on UNF's Foundation Board, and was selected to be on the committee leading the Foundation in developing the University's ten-year strategic plan. Michelle remains very involved in UNF.
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Michelle also speaks frequently to groups of HR professionals, brokers and other audiences on a wide range of employment-related topics.
Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP
SHRM Membership Initiatives Director
Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, is an HR professional with over 15 years of broad-based experience in the public school and private sector in various roles and disciplines. A Miami, Florida native, Monique earned her degree in Public Administration with a specialization in HR from Barry University. Monique is also a Master Examiner and Mentor with the Florida Sterling Council Board of Examiners, visiting organizations throughout the state across all industries to
assess their leadership system and organizational performance through the National Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence model. In her volunteer role, Monique has been an active SHRM Chapter leader serving in various roles including Chapter President and District Director with HR Florida. In addition, she serves on various local non-profit boards. As a high energy, creative thinker, team builder, and problem-solver, Monique has a passion for service and
assisting others in their purpose, potential, and professional development through meaningful connections.
Louis D. Wilson
Managing Partner, FordHarrison
Louis Wilson is the Managing Partner of the Melbourne office. He regularly assists employers on a wide range of matters, from providing advice and guidance on day-to-day labor and employment law issues to representation in complex employment litigation matters.
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Louis has extensive experience assisting organizations with drafting employment contracts and non-compete agreements, developing personnel policies and practices, conducting workplace trainings and investigations, and carrying out separations and reductions-in-force. Louis also regularly represents employers in federal and state court and before administrative agencies, with a particular focus in breach of contract, discrimination, FMLA, wage/hour and whistleblower matters. Additionally, Louis has a broad range of experience representing management in traditional labor matters, including providing legal advice in connection with union organizing campaigns and representation in labor arbitration and unfair labor practice charge proceedings.
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Over the course of his legal career Louis has advised and represented clients involved in a variety of industries and sectors, including companies involved in the financial services, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, restaurant and retail industries, as well as a number of public employers and government contractors. He is a member of the firm's Global Legal Services practice group, as well as its Healthcare and Restaurant practice groups. Earlier in his career Louis was an attorney in the labor and employment practice group of a large international law firm based in New York City where he worked extensively with employers on a variety of labor and employment matters, including complex corporate restructurings and mergers and acquisitions. He also spent several years in London, England where he qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and studied UK employment law. While in law school, Louis served as an Articles Editor for the George Washington University Journal of International Law and Economics and was a member of the George Washington University Law School Moot Court Board.