"Thank You!" and "Congratulations!"
2020 was been one for the record books; one we will never forget! It is with heartfelt gratitude that I sincerely thank our outgoing board members for their dedication, hard work and unyielding commitment to the Detroit SHRM membership and the larger HR community. Veretta Nix, Education Chair; Timothy Whiting, Analytics Chair; Christie Hecht, Strategic Partners Liaison; and Paul Sturgis, Membership Chair - the entire Board for Detroit SHRM joins me in thanking you for your service and looks forward to seeing how your involvement in Detroit SHRM evolves into its next chapter!
As we say goodbye to these board members, we welcome our new board members who will officially start on January 1, 2021, for a two-year term. Please join me in welcoming these outstanding individuals who join us and help us move Detroit SHRM into 2021! -- Nikki Kallek, Detroit SHRM President
2021-2022 New Detroit SHRM Board Members
Ms. Dandridge Floyd, Education Chair
JD, MSW, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Oakland Schools
Dandridge is an executive human resource professional with extensive experience leading organizational change through strategic human resource management in both public and private sector organizations. Dandridge is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Labor Relations for Oakland Schools, one of Michigan’s largest intermediate school district, where she provides leadership and governance on matters ranging from workforce management, labor relations and diversity and inclusion recruitment, to Oakland County’s 28 public school districts.
Dandridge holds a Bachelor and Master of Social Work, as well as a Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. Dandridge is a Crain’s 40 under 40, Crain’s Excellence in HR Awardee and Oakland County Elite 40 under 40 recipient.
Mr. Chris Burke, Strategic Partners Liaison
JD, CPFA, CFP, AIF, Vice President, Retirement Plan Consulting, LoVasco Consulting Group
As a retirement plan consultant at LoVasco, Chris has a pivotal role: he is responsible for helping plan sponsors make well thought out decisions regarding their retirement benefit program. Chris’s background in law, and financial planning at a large independent wealth management firm and Merrill Lynch, make him well positioned to give guidance to plan sponsors and participants.
Given the retirement savings crisis in America, Chris’s goal is to help plan sponsors provide a simpler retirement benefit, designed to be user friendly, cost effective, and to keep participants on track to fully fund their retirement.
Chris enjoys playing hockey on the weekends and spending time with his wife, daughter, and dog. Chris currently serves on the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Committee to plan the annual SOCK Fundraiser. In 2019, Chris was named to the Financial Times Top 401 list, recognizing the top advisors in the country servicing defined contribution plans.
Chris is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). He attended Wayne State University for law school and the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree.
Mr. David Messina, Membership Chair
MBA, Consultant for HRS Consulting
Graduate of both Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
Ms. Robin Chapekis, Strategic Connections Liaison
MBA, Owner/Consultant for Svelte HR
Robin is passionate about Human Resources being recognized and valued as a Profession and has worked with local, state, and national HR focused organizations to enhance educational offerings and provide networking and growth opportunities for her HR colleagues. She is also working with ISO/TC 260 on the development of international standards for Human Resource Management. Robin holds a SHRM-SCP, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and an Master of Science in HR and Organizational Development. After working for large corporations, small companies and several non-profits Robin decided to hang out her own shingle and focus on process improvement for HR. Founder of SVELTE HR, a consulting firm specializing in efficiency and effectiveness for HR work, Robin is determined to help HR teams and small business leaders master transactional work and move toward transformational outcomes. She believes that HR is a competitive advantage for organizations and is working to make that a reality.
