Elise Szarek
Human Resource Manager Whitebridge Pet Brands
Elise Szarek is an accomplished Human Resources leader with over nine years of cross-functional experience building people-centered, high-performing organizations. She currently serves as HR Manager of North America at Whitebridge Pet Brands (This title may change as we approach the conference in May) , where she leads employee relations, leadership coaching, and culture initiatives across a remote workforce spanning the United States, Canada, and Thailand.
Elise is recognized for successfully guiding organizations through complexity, including acquisitions, due diligence, and large-scale HRIS transitions such as Paycom, UKG, and Workday. Her strategic approach has driven operational efficiency, strengthened employee trust, and delivered meaningful cost savings while enhancing benefits and workforce alignment.
With experience in union relations, national talent strategy, and workforce planning, Elise brings a balanced perspective that blends data-driven insights with emotional intelligence and practical leadership.
Seminars
- What approaches help organizations create a talent pipeline that spans STEM outreach, internships, apprenticeships, and early career programs?
- How can manufacturers scale community engagement without overextending resources or losing focus on operational priorities?
- What role do structured career pathways and rotational programs play in reducing time-to-fill and improving retention?
- How can organizations measure the long-term impact of early engagement initiatives on workforce readiness and diversity?
