October Meeting - Monique Akanbi (10/14/2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

JOIN US OCT 14TH FOR SOME EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS

The world of work continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, and HR professionals are being called upon to do more than respond to change—they must anticipate it, influence it, and help their organizations navigate what comes next.

This engaging session explores the emerging trends shaping the HR profession and workplace, including artificial intelligence and technology, evolving workforce expectations, skills-based talent strategies, employee experience, workplace culture, compliance, and the expanding strategic role of HR. Participants will examine what these trends mean for HR professionals and identify practical ways to remain informed, agile, and prepared to lead through continued change.

The session will also highlight how SHRM membership can serve as a professional advantage by connecting HR professionals to timely research, practical tools and resources, expert guidance, professional development, networking, and a broader community of HR professionals. Participants will leave with actionable insights for navigating the future of work and a greater understanding of how SHRM can support them throughout their HR career.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify key HR and workplace trends influencing organizations, employees, and the HR profession.

Evaluate the impact of emerging trends such as AI, changing workforce expectations, skills-based talent practices, and evolving workplace regulations on HR strategy and operations.

Recognize the changing role of HR and opportunities for HR professionals to increase their influence as strategic business partners and workplace leaders.

Identify strategies and resources for staying current on emerging workplace issues and strengthening professional capabilities.

Explore the value of SHRM membership and how SHRM research, tools, expert resources, professional development, networking, and community can support HR professionals in addressing today's challenges and preparing for what's next.

Develop at least one actionable next step for strengthening their professional readiness and applying new insights within their organization or HR career.

Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP is a SHRM Membership Initiatives Director and former co-host of SHRM’s Honest HR Podcast, where she helps bring SHRM’s mission to life by designing strategies that attract, engage, and retain more than 330,000 members worldwide.

A strategic change agent with over 20 years of broad-based experience across both public and private sectors, in various HR leadership roles, including Vice-President of People & Culture; Monique is known for transforming organizational cultures, boosting engagement, and driving measurable results in employee satisfaction and retention. Her collaborative, people-centered approach has consistently helped organizations align purpose with performance.

Beyond SHRM, Monique serves as a Master Examiner and Mentor with the Sterling Council Board of Examiners, where she evaluates and mentor organizations across the Southeast using the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence framework to advance leadership systems and operational excellence and serves on various local non-profit Boards.

Passionate about service and development, Monique intentionally connects people, ideas, and opportunities in ways that create excellence and momentum.

November Meeting - Mallory Vachon (11/11/2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

In this session, LaborIQ chief economist Mallory Vachon will break down what the latest labor market data reveals about where hiring and compensation are really headed.

Expect a clear-eyed look at the forces reshaping today's job market – shifting compensation expectations, a shrinking talent pool, and how (or if) AI is reshaping personnel strategy.

You'll walk away with what the data says HR and TA leaders should be prioritizing in 2026 and 2027.

Key Takeaways:

Where hiring and compensation are headed in 2026 and 2027, based on the data
The biggest forces driving change in today's labor market – and where AI fits among them
How to build a workforce strategy grounded in evidence, not headlines

Mallory Vachon is the chief economist at LaborIQ®, a compensation management software platform. At LaborIQ, Mallory leads the research and data teams that produce key insights and forecasts related to the labor market.

Her main focus is providing sophisticated yet accessible analyses that inform business decisions and an understanding of labor market and compensation dynamics. Mallory's expertise lies in supplying business leaders and their HR teams with actionable insights into business, talent, and compensation strategies.

Her work has been featured in publications such as Bloomberg, Fortune, Business Insider, The Dallas Morning News, and S&P Global Market Intelligence, bringing more than a decade of experience in labor markets, economic research, and thought leadership.

Mallory received her Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Panhandle Human Resources Association upcoming events

October Meeting - Monique Akanbi (10/14/2026)

November Meeting - Mallory Vachon (11/11/2026)