Early-Career Practitioner Consortium

The Early-Career Practitioner Consortium will be held April 29 and is open to those entering applied I-O psychology roles. Session content will offer practical advice on consulting, internal HR functions, and professional growth within organizational settings.

Schedule

Wednesday, April 29 (all times CT)

9 a.m. SIOP Consortium Plenary: Welcome session presented by SIOP Consortia organizers (All Consortia members).

9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. ECPC Welcome: Co-chairs Andre Hennig (SHL) and Casey Witherspoon (Target) introduce the consortium’s goals, schedule, and participants. This session will set the stage for a day of learning, connection, and career development.  

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Distinguished I-O Psychology Panel: A group of distinguished I-O psychology professionals will share their career journeys, lessons learned, and advice for applied practitioners. Panelists include:

• Sara Gutierrez: Chief Science Officer, SHL
• Richard Chambers: Director Org Transformation, General Mills
• Erica Desrosiers: Chief Talent Officer, Acadia Healthcare
• Scott Brooks: VP of Consulting, Org Vitality

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Assessment Overview & Debrief: As part of ECPC, registrants will be able to take the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) and receive a developmental report. Andre Hennig will conduct a report interpretation session, exploring how Personality Assessments can inform growth and effectiveness in applied roles.

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break: Lunch provided for consortia registrants.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Mentor Panel: Applied I-O psychology professionals from a variety of industries share their experiences, lessons learned, and career advice for early-career practitioners. This session highlights diverse perspectives on navigating the transition from graduate training to impactful practice. Mentors include:

• Desmond Leung: People Analytics Research Analysts, Intuitive
• Michael Durando: Employee Voice Manager, Chevron
• Kimberly Wrenn: Managing Consultant, SHL
• Rose Fonseca: Director, People, Purpose & Transformation, DICK’S Sporting Goods
• Steve Young: Global Head, Employee Experience Surveys & Assessments, Caterpillar

2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Mentor Circle Breakouts: Participants will join small-group discussions with assigned mentors based on shared interests. This session provides a more intimate setting to explore career goals, seek advice, and connect with peers in similar paths.

3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Refreshment Break: Light refreshments provided by SIOP.

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Networking Breakouts: Registrants will rotate through focused, mentor-led discussions to broaden your network, ask targeted questions, and gather practical advice from experienced professionals across multiple industries.

4:45 p.m. – Closing and Wrap Up: Andre Hennig and Casey Witherspoon will close out the day with the registrants.