HRSHRM holds monthly meetings to educate, inform, and entertain. Come network with your fellow members! (Most meetings provide SHRM and/or HRCI credit.) Save these upcoming dates to your calendar! Dates are subject to change.
Beyond the Buzzwords: Reframing DEI through SHRM’s BEAM and a Practical Toolkit for Today’s Workplace
As the national conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to evolve, SHRM has introduced the BEAM framework—Belonging Enhanced by Access through Merit—as a future-ready approach to building inclusive workplace cultures grounded in performance, fairness, and access.
Join Sharon E. Harrington, MA, CPTD, HRSHRM Diversity Chair, as she shares a newly developed Fairness & Inclusion Toolkit designed to complement and operationalize BEAM in real-world HR settings. This session will highlight how HR professionals can lead cultural change without using politically charged terminology, while still advancing inclusive practices that attract top talent, improve engagement, and support leadership accountability.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how SHRM’s BEAM framework reframes DEI and why this shift matters in today’s polarized workplace environment.
- Explore practical tools and KPIs that HR professionals can use to promote fairness, belonging, and opportunity without relying on politicized language.
- Gain a ready-to-use roadmap for integrating inclusive practices into hiring, communication, leadership development, and employee engagement strategies.
Speaker: Sharon Harrington Facilitator: Shaune Thomas Blanding
Sharon E. Harrington, MA, CPTD, is a nationally recognized expert in workplace conflict resolution, EEO investigations, and organizational communication. As the founder of Amediate, LLC, she has spent nearly 30 years helping organizations navigate internal disputes, prevent harassment, and foster inclusive work environments. Sharon is a certified professional in talent development and a certified Emergenetics® facilitator, known for her engaging, practical approach to difficult conversations.
She regularly trains federal and private sector EEO investigators across the U.S., teaching the 32-hour MD-110 Certification course and annual refresher programs. Sharon has served as a featured speaker for EEOC Technical Assistance Programs (TAPS) for over five years and is deeply respected for her ability to translate legal frameworks into actionable, culturally responsive strategies.
Her work centers on bridging the gap between compliance and civility, empowering leaders and practitioners to address conflict at its roots and rebuild trust before it escalates. Sharon brings rich case experience, storytelling, and evidence-based practices that resonate with conflict resolution professionals seeking both immediate and long-term impact. Her sessions challenge participants to rethink resolution through a lens of fairness, communication, and behavioral change—making her an ideal voice for ACR’s mission of bridging divides.
Shaune Thomas-Blanding is an accomplished Talent Management leader, with over 25 years of experience in designing, executing, leading, and evaluating HR and talent management strategies. From workforce planning to leadership development, Shaune has consistently delivered results that enhance both employee engagement and business performance. Her understanding of the critical balance between human capital and digital capital, along with her ability to integrate human connection with digital advancements has been a key driver of success throughout her career.
Shaune has various industry experience, spending several years in telecommunications and maritime transportation. Most recently, she is the Manager, Employee & Community Engagement for Norfolk Airport Authority. In her roles she has partnered with a diverse range of clients, from senior executives to individual contributors, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, delivering tailored solutions that align with organizational goals.
She brings a deep understanding of human psychology, cultural complexities, and organizational dynamics to her work.
Shaune holds an Executive MBA from Howard University, a MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Golden Gate University, and a BA in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She is a certified career coach and is also certified in multiple professional tools and methodologies, including Zenger Folkman’s 360 Assessment, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
Coaching Philosophy: Start where you excel.
Thank you to our sponsor, Mode5!
Tickets
$0.00 Member Ticket
$0.00 Non-Member Ticket
