Calendar of Events

Washington Outlook: Be in the Know to Know What’s Next

Presenter: Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary

Issues impacting the workplace remain at the forefront of the legislative and regulatory agenda for both the 117th Congress and the Biden Administration. As the White House strategizes how to best implement its priorities with slim Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, SHRM remains focused on Policy, Not Politics and stands ready to take on challenges and find opportunities to advance sound workplace policy. 

During this informative presentation, Emily M. Dickens, SHRM’s Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary, will provide an analysis of how workplace policy is being made and what developments can be expected under the Biden Administration. Ms. Dickens will also provide an overview of SHRM’s policy priorities and highlight the vital role HR professionals can play in the policymaking process.

As HR professionals continue to navigate a changing workplace, recognizing the impact of new workplace policies and their implications to your organization, is critical. SHRM has a clear vision and will continue to be a thought leader, resource and advocate for public policies that foster the flexibility businesses require to support and develop their workforce.

Participants will:

Gain an understanding of the foundations of policymaking;

Learn how HR professionals can influence workplace public policy and how these changes may affect their organizations and workforce;

Strengthen skills to help employers navigate and advocate for critical policy issues that will create better workplaces; and

Develop strategies to engage elected representatives on policies and programs impacting work, workers, and the workplace.

SPEAKER: Emily M. Dickens

Emily M. Dickens is Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). As a member of the executive team, she has oversight for implementing the CEO's vision, corporate governance, global outreach, government affairs, and the organization’s real property. She serves on the executive board of the North America Human Resource Management Association (NAHRMA) and Secretary-General of the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).

Emily is an attorney with significant and progressive experience in government, higher education and the non-profit sector. She has served as a member of the leadership team at the University of North Carolina system, the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Her prior roles include general counsel, chief relationship officer, senior vice president, vice president for public policy and assistant vice president for federal relations. Dickens has also worked at Duke University and Fayetteville State University
in administrative and external affairs roles.

Emily is actively engaged in board service. She is a member of the Strategic Education, Inc. HIRE Advisory Board; the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) Board; the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Advisory Council; a U.S. Department of Energy Equity in Energy Ambassador and chairs the International HBCU Task Force for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and North Carolina Central University
School of Law.