Chinese Executives Briefed on US Human Resources Management

"Global Human Resources Management" was the topic on November 5 when I spoke at the China Executives Club in Chicago. The purpose of this panel was to help Chinese business leaders manage human resources issues at their investee companies in the United States. Joining me on the panel were Tracy Xu, Area Vice President, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, (moderator), Faith Wan, Global Talent Process Lead at Mars, Inc., and Katie Lau, Area Senior Vice President for Gallagher Benefit Services. Discussion topics ranged from management style differences to retention strategies to employee benefits design. The topic attracted keen interest. Chinese executives from as far away as Duluth, Minnesota and Detroit, Michigan attended. J P Morgan sponsored the event in a sky-high meeting hall with fabulous Chicago views. 

On right: Faith Wan from Mars, Inc. 

Katie Lau from Gallagher Benefit Services

Executive networking. Tracy Xu of Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management on the right.

Chemical Industry Leaders Enjoy Glam Evening in New York

On Tuesday 27 October, I was the guest of Brenntag Specialties Inc. at the annual New York Chemists’ Club Dinner. Andrew Liveris, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Dow Chemical Company was presented with the 2015 ICIS Kavaler award, sponsored by The Chemists' Club and in association with The Valence Group, in recognition for outstanding and newsworthy achievement. The award was presented at a black-tie dinner ceremony with approximately 300 attendees at the New York Public Library.

With Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO, Dow Chemical

From left to right: Ed Warner Cook, Trustee, Chemists’ Club; Peggy Fidler; Anthony Gerace, Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions, Brenntag AG; Stefanie Stewart, Marketing Manager, Brenntag Specialties Inc.; Bill Fidler, Board Member, Brenntag AG

Left: Chad Kessler, Business Head, Chemtura,
Right: Jeff Kenton, Executive Vice President, Brenntag Specialties

Guests at dinner at the New York Public Library

Thrival Panel Advises Women on Compensation Negotiation

Panel members left to right: Rebecca Harris, Director, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Chatham University; Justine Kasznica, Attorney, Saul Ewing LLC; Mary Kohler, Senior HR Consultant, Nova Chemicals, Alexandra, Rich Maloy (moderator), Manager Catalyst North America at Softlayer.

I spoke on a panel called “Mind the Gap, the Art of Negotiating and Knowing Your Value” at the Thrill Mill start up accelerator on Friday 25 September in Pittsburgh. This panel was organized as part of Thrival Pittsburgh. A week-long celebration of music and innovation, Thrival is now in its fifth year. Each day's programs were inspired by a specific theme and took place in a different neighborhood around the city. More than 25 live music performances performed at Thrival's two-day outdoor concert held in Hazelwood on 10 converted acres of industrial brownfield along the Monongahela River. I went on Friday night after the panel. Here was the scene: