A panel discussion on engaging & retaining employees in authentic ways including guided local beer & food pairings – delivered to your door!
Join ITAG for a virtual meeting and panel discussion on Thursday, March 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Click here for more information and to register.
Meet the Panelists
Kaela Blanks, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist, Wawa, Inc.
Kaela’s core belief is to make an impact by empowering people to thrive. Kaela is currently the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategist at Wawa, where she can put that core belief into action every day. She ensures people feel Seen & Heard, Included & Involved, while Connected & Supported through her work on the DE&I team. This includes empowering Wawa’s Innovation Networks (WINs), advancing opportunities to make Wawa even more of a place of belonging, and amplifying the impact Wawa has within its communities and for its customers. She passionately cares about people and is grateful to be able to channel that passion through her work.
Sean Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, AWeber
Sean is Chief Operating Officer at AWeber, the leading small business email marketing software company, where he oversees the activities of all teams and directors, collaborates with the CEO on strategic goals, and advocates AWeber’s core values throughout all company initiatives. Sean joined AWeber in 2001 as a member of the customer solutions team, where his pragmatic solutions to issues quickly distinguished him as a company leader. During his time at AWeber, Sean’s role has expanded to include operations oversight, human resources, and execution of strategic initiatives.
Lisa Sabin-Wilson, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, WebDevStudios
Lisa is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of WebDevStudios, a digital strategy and planning website design and development company. In this role, she provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure WebDevStudios has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to effectively grow the organization and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. Prior to her role with WebDevStudios, Lisa operated her own freelance business for 10 years, providing custom WordPress design and development services, as well as technical support and hosting, to her WordPress clients.
Moderator: Lisa Van Ess, ITAG Chair, VP of People & Culture, Magic Hat Consulting
Lisa Van Ess is a dynamic human resources executive with a proven track record of helping businesses evolve and excel through the acquisition, engagement, and development of talented employees. She has led recruiting, HR and training organizations for over 20 years for companies within the Management Consulting, IT, Financial Services and Life Sciences industries and is an ally and champion for DE&I. As Magic Hat Consulting’s VP of People & Culture, she is responsible for designing and executing impactful talent and people strategies.
Certified Cicerone©: Meredith Rebar, Proprietor and Event Director, Home Brewed Events
Meredith is Proprietor and Event Director at Home Brewed Events, a Philadelphia based events & festival management company, specializing in productions for the craft beverage and artisan food industries. She began her career managing and producing special events and concerts as part of the Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg, PA, and was part of the team that opened the Troegs Brewing Company location in Hershey, PA. She moved to Philadelphia where she joined Origlio Beverage as a Corporate Communications Specialist, writing articles for beer publications and presenting her expertise in beer wholesaler operations, craft beer sales, and incorporating social media to develop business growth.