*Agenda is subject to change
07:00 AM - 08:00 AM Cherry Room
Cherry Room
Breakfast
08:00 AM - 08:15 AM Chestnut Room
Chestnut Room
Welcome to the 2025 NationaLease Human Resources Summit
Attendees will be energized by an exciting kickoff. We will guide everyone through the agenda, spotlighting key events and opportunities to network, ensuring participants leave inspired and connected with fellow HR leaders.
Dominic Macrone, Human Resources Director, McMahon Truck Leasing, a NationaLease Member
08:15 AM - 09:00 AM Chestnut Room
NationaLease State of the Union
Dean Vicha will present an insightful overview of our current and future plans and objectives. Gain valuable insights into how evolving conditions may affect not only our members but also their customers. This session promises to provide valuable strategic perspectives essential for navigating the road ahead.
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease
09:00 AM - 10:15 AM Chestnut Room
Retention in the Truck Leasing Industry: Keeping Diesel Technicians, Mechanics, and Support Teams Engaged
The demand for skilled diesel technicians and heavy truck mechanics is at an all-time high, making retention a top priority for the truck leasing industry. This session will explore industry-specific workforce challenges, including labor shortages, competitive pay pressures, and work-life balance concerns. Learn proven strategies to improve retention through compensation, career development, workplace culture, and scheduling innovations. Discover how employee listening and people analytics can help predict and prevent turnover. Walk away with actionable insights and real-world examples to help your organization attract, engage, and retain the talent that keeps your fleet running.
Dr. Fiona Jamison, Vice President Research & People Analytics, People Results
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Chestnut Room
Idea Session
This interactive Idea Session promises to be a highlight of the event. Members will have the opportunity to showcase their most innovative ideas and best practices, with the chance to win big cash prizes! As each participant throws $20 into the pot, the stakes are high and the competition fierce. Get ready to be inspired, engaged, and entertained as we come together to celebrate creativity, collaboration, and friendly rivalry. Don't miss out on this thrilling opportunity to share, learn, and compete for success!
Constance Fox, Human Resources Director, Mendon NationaLease
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Cherry Room
Lunch
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM Chestnut Room
Making "Difficult Communications" Less Difficult: Best Practices and Strategies for Success
Examine the top barriers to healthy communications in the workplace and provide practical strategies to overcome them. Attendees will learn to identify common communication mistakes made by employers and gain valuable insights into effective de-escalation techniques. The session will also offer actionable tips to help individuals become better communicators.
Attendees will examine workplace challenges that often lead to difficult conversations, such as performance issues, employee terminations, workplace conflicts, and harassment concerns. The discussions will also address stereotypes, bias and other obstacles to effective communication. Attendees will be equipped with techniques and best practices to be more confident and effective communicators.
Donald D. Gamburg, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
02:00 PM - 02:30 PM Chesnut Room
Chesnut Room
Compensation Survey Review
Join Kelly Kordowski, Member Services Advocate, where she’ll share the results of the NationaLease Compensation Survey. This extensive survey includes company-wide benefits overview and data for 32 industry-specific positions within respective NationaLease organizations that members can use to help with budgetary planning. In addition to walking through the survey results, the group will discuss areas for improvement for the next Compensation Survey.
Kelly Kordowski, Member Services Advocate, NationaLease
02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
02:45 PM - 03:30 PM Chestnut Room
Workplace Safety Ownership
Who owns the responsibility of safety in the workplace, Human Resources or a dedicated Safety Manager? What role does your Workers Comp policy play in making that decision? This discussion will analyze the differences between the HR function and that of dedicated safety personnel, including the pros and cons of each. Comparing the cost benefits, business complexity, company size, and claims history will all be examined as we discuss impacts that it can have on distinguishing where safety is best owned within an organization.
Glenn Hebert, President, Cox & Smith Risk Management
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM Chestnut Room
Growing with Grit: Secret Ways to Add Top Talent to Your Team
Through a 1 hour interactive workshop participants will: Identify new and creative ways to source talent for roles such as Diesel Technicians and more
Create an activation plan to try out several brand new ways of sourcing talent for their roles
Engage with other workshop participants to identify road blocks or barriers to implementing the plan
Create an Accountability Arrangement with a fellow participant to ensure they GSD (get stuff done)
Leave the session with confidence in how they approach recruit skilled labor
Lauren Williams, CEO, Work Harmony
05:30 PM - 08:00 PM Union League Club
Union League Club
Dinner
08:00 AM - 09:00 AM Chestnut Room
Driving Through Disruption: Building Teams That Thrive on Change
With unprecedented technological and market disruptions fundamentally altering how work happens, your employees' ability to navigate change is critical to organizational success.
In this session, you will be introduced to key principles and tools from the research-based program that has been delivered worldwide to transform how people respond to change. You'll walk away with a greater understanding of how to support your teams—while also developing your own ability—to break through limiting patterns, manage stress, and build the mental resilience needed in today's rapidly evolving world.
Lindsay Mareau, Founder, Illumination Stratagies
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM Chestnut Room
Member Services Update
Jane Clark is set to reveal a powerhouse of tools and resources meticulously crafted to turbocharge your recruiting endeavors and beyond. Gain exclusive insights into how NationaLease Home Office is primed to bolster your efforts and propel your organization to new heights. Prepare to be inspired, informed, and empowered in this can't-miss session tailored just for you!
Jane Clark, Senior Vice President of Operations, NationaLease
09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
09:45 AM - 12:00 PM Chestnut Room
Best Practices Roundtable
Join us for a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights with your peers in the industry. Bring your burning questions and innovative ideas to the table for an open discussion on the challenges and successes within your organization. Benefit from the collective wisdom of fellow professionals as we share best practices, tackle common obstacles, and explore effective solutions together. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to learn from real-world experiences and strengthen your strategies for success.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Box Lunch