CNY SHRM Annual All Day HR Conference
From The Dugout To The Big Leagues:
Building High Impact HR and People Systems
May 21, 2026

Speaker Bios

Gianelle Duby
Bond Schoeneck & King

Gianelle Duby is a labor and employment attorney with Bond Schoeneck & King, where she advises employers on complex workplace issues including labor relations, regulatory compliance, and employment litigation.

She works with organizations to interpret evolving legal requirements and translate them into practical workplace policies and procedures. Her work focuses on helping employers proactively manage legal risk while maintaining effective workplace practices.

Dan Elliott
Lawley

Dan began managing health plans in 1995 on the "inside of the industry" working 5 years for United Healthcare, then he spent another 5 years in health plan management with Aetna before becoming an independent health plan consultant in 2005.  Working for the 2 largest US health insurance carriers for a decade allows Dan to better position clients in negotiations.  In 2020 he introduced Lawley CorrectCare, a strategic health plan management model using top tier national care managers like The Mayo Clinic to focus specialized plan resources towards the 20% of plan members who typically drive 80% of an employer’s annual health plan claims.  Lawley CorrectCare to help these members receive higher quality care at significantly lower costs.  

Matt Corrado, LAH
Employee Benefits Consultant, OneDigital

Matt has over a decade of HCM, HR, and employee benefit experience, working with both small and large organizations.  He specializes in all facets of employee benefit products and services, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance.  With this diverse background and expertise, Matt can assess current offerings for his client’s by helping them with a customized plan that meets their employees needs and overall employer goals.

Greg McLoughlin, LAH
Employee Benefits Consultant, USI

Greg began his career in employee benefits in 2010, just prior to the start of the Affordable Care Act and joined the USI team in 2014. Since then, he has worked with some of the region’s largest employers in navigating market uncertainties, ever-changing regulation, and an evolving workforce. Greg combines deep health and welfare industry knowledge with an operational background to deliver a proactive, comprehensive, and engaging experience for employers and employees alike. Responsibilities include developing strategy, vendor negotiation, leading renewal, and plan review discussions.

Mary Stone

Mary Stone is Chief Quality Officer at Hematology Oncology Associates, where they oversee Human Resources, Quality, Compliance, and Safety. With decades of experience, Mary brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, workforce strategy, and operational leadership. They hold CHC, CHPC, SHRM-CP, and PHR certifications and have served in numerous leadership roles with CNY SHRM and NYS SHRM, including President, Foundation Chair, and current NYS SHRM Finance Director. Mary also serves on a local hospice foundation board, reflecting a strong commitment to community and service.

Mary will serve as moderator for today’s panel, bringing a practical, real-world perspective on aligning people, process, and compliance in complex environments. Outside of work, Mary is actively involved in agricultural and equestrian organizations and enjoys life on a farm with horses, cows, chickens, dogs, and cats, along with time spent with their spouse, children, and growing group of grandchildren.

Karen Lynn Kaplan

Karen Lynn Kaplan brings over 30 years of global experience across multiple sectors to her work helping organizations at critical junctures, helping them navigate complexity, align priorities, and move from uncertainty to action.

With more than a decade working in high-stakes international environments for the U.S. government, alongside experience supporting both large bureaucracies and start-ups, she offers a practical, real-world perspective on leading in fast-changing and demanding conditions.

As a speaker and strategic partner, Karen equips leaders and teams with the mindsets and toolkits to navigate complexity and facilitate results. Through her keynotes, leadership development, and advisory work, she transforms “business as usual” into catalytic action.

Art Thomas

Art is the Executive Director, Office of Microcredentials, College of Professional Studies, Syracuse University (SU). He started teaching at SU in 2001, becoming a full-time Professor of Practice in 2009.  A specialist in Project Management, Art co-authored the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) Official Cert Guide, published by Pearson Education in 2023, and he directs the Project Management degree programs at the College. 

Kristen Smith
Bond Schoeneck & King

Kristen Smith advises employers on workplace investigations, employment disputes, and compliance matters.

Jason Smorol
General Manager, Syracuse Mets

Jason Smorol leads the Syracuse Mets organization and brings a unique perspective on leadership, culture, and team performance.

Tom Schin
Build Better Culture

Tom Schin, the high energy owner of Build Better Culture! With over two decades of experience in HR, recruiting, and management under his belt, he's the go-to guru for organizations that want to create stellar workplaces. Tom's all about helping companies build an insanely awesome company culture, skyrocket employee engagement, and level-up their leadership skills to keep their team jammin’. Whether it's nailing communication skills, embracing accountability, mastering the art of hiring like a boss, or defusing conflicts, Tom's got your back. He’s the Communications Director for SHRM NYS as well as Immediate Past President of the Capital Region Human Resource Association (CRHRA), where he serves with the Board of Directors in delivering learning, networking and collaboration opportunities to their 600+ member community. He’s presented at SHRM NYS, DisruptHR, CRHRA, numerous regional HR associations, the Capital Region Recruiters’ Network, and a variety of commercial organizations on the power of Leadership Development, Company Culture, and Employee Engagement initiatives. 

Abir Bouazizi

Abir Bouazizi is an AI & Workforce Strategist working at the intersection of Education, Workforce development, and human-centered AI innovation.

With a background in data science and cross-cultural education, Abir designs and delivers AI-driven learning experiences that help individuals and organizations confidently navigate the future of work. Her work bridges the gap between emerging technologies and real-world workforce needs, translating complex AI concepts into practical, accessible strategies for both early-career learners and experienced professionals.

She has led workforce and training initiatives supporting diverse populations, equipping participants with technical, analytical, and digital skills aligned with evolving industry demands. Through this work, she brings a grounded understanding of the human side of AI adoption where curiosity, uncertainty, and opportunity intersect.

Beyond implementation, Abir is deeply interested in the research and long-term implications of AI on workforce systems, education models, and social equity. She is particularly focused on how institutions can design inclusive, future-ready pathways that support diverse, multicultural work environments and enable individuals to thrive across global, technology-driven ecosystems.

Abir collaborates with organizations to design AI learning programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and strategic interventions that move beyond theory into real-world impact, helping teams not only understand AI but integrate it meaningfully into their workflows and culture.

She brings a unique perspective shaped by hands-on work at the frontline of workforce transitions, where technology meets real human challenges.