Topic: From Member to Mission: Supporting the SHRM Foundation
Presented By: Wendi Safstrom, President, SHRM Foundation
Program Overview Description:
Hear how the engagement of individual SHRM members translates into the foundation's larger mission of creating positive social change through the world of work, through the profession of HR. You’ll hear how investments of your time and treasure support impactful, research-based programs improving workplaces and supporting the HR community.
Key Learning Objectives
- Widening pathways to work: Helping employers develop skills-first hiring practices to access and retain untapped talent pools, such as military-connected and neurodivergent individuals.
- Strengthening the HR field: Providing scholarships, grants, and mentorship to develop the next generation of HR professionals.
- Tackling societal challenges: Offering resources to address pressing issues like workplace mental health and wellness.
Individual members contribute through:
- Direct donations and fundraising events: Annual gifts, often through the "Team Empower" giving circle, provide essential funding.
- Volunteering: Serving as mentors or participating in local foundation initiatives.
- Fundraising events: Participating in activities like runs, walks, or silent auctions.
SHRM chapters and councils contribute through:
- Organized fundraising: Hosting events, collecting donations, and making direct contributions from chapter funds.
- Local community impact: Implementing foundation programs at a local level, such as supporting food drives or teacher supply initiatives.
- Raising awareness: Educating members about the foundation's work and encouraging participation.
The contributions of SHRM members and chapters have a direct, measurable impact on the foundation's strategic initiatives, as documented in annual impact reports. Examples of this impact include:
- Inclusion training: Increased readiness among HR leaders to hire military-connected talent after completing the "Veterans at Work Certificate".
- Scholarship awards: Over $600,000 in annual scholarships and grants for HR students and professionals pursuing degrees, certifications, and professional development.
- Mental health resources: Thousands of downloads of the SHRM Foundation Field Guide for Mental Health, showing a strong desire among HR professionals to prioritize mental well-being in the workplace.
- Workforce development: Localized workforce development projects, like those in Arkansas, have improved internship opportunities and job readiness for workers.
About The Speaker:
Wendi Safstrom is a senior non-profit leader committed to serving the public through philanthropic program management, cultivating strategic partnerships, and managing and developing high performing teams. She has both association and nonprofit management experience including national program development and administration, membership strategy, marketing and product development, grant management, development and donor stewardship, and leading cross functional teams. Safstrom currently serves as President for the Society for Human Resource Management Foundation (SHRM Foundation), where she is ultimately responsible for the development and implementation of SHRM Foundation's programmatic, development, and marketing and communication strategies in support of SHRM Foundation's new mission and vision, creating growth plans and ensuring alignment with SHRM goals.
Prior to assuming the role at SHRM Foundation, Safstrom served as Vice President at the National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and was responsible for all Foundation programming, including workforce development initiatives, scholarship and event management, community relations and engagement initiatives. The NRAEF's philanthropic programming supported a number of audiences including high school youth, veterans transitioning from service to civilian work and life, opportunity youth, and incumbent workers. Of particular note, she led the implementation of the restaurant industry's premier high school career and technical education program, growing the program to over 2,000 public high schools, engaging over 150,000 students annually, nationwide. At the NRAEF, she served as lead project director for the development of a $10 million contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to develop the hospitality industry's first apprenticeship program and was instrumental in the Foundation's reorganization and relocation of operations from Chicago, Illinois to Washington, D.C., transforming the staff and culture.
Safstrom has also held human resource management roles with the Leo Burnett Company and Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. She has a BS in Business Administration from the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University and was recognized as a member of the 2014 "Power 20" by Restaurant Business Magazine as a leader in philanthropy within the restaurant industry. Safstrom serves on the board of directors for Global MindED and the board of directors for the Center to Advance CTE.
Pending Approval for 1 hour of HRCI General Credit and 1 hour of SHRM Credit
Should you have any last minute
(within 48 hours of the event) changes please comply with our cancellation policy by contacting
hrmagsohospitality@gmail.com. *Per HRMAG by-laws, any member who registered for a monthly meeting and does not attend the meeting and provide proper notice will be billed the cost of the meal, $35. Please remember to sign-in upon arrival.
