Meeting & Event Information

Heather Kinzie - As COO, Heather works directly with clients to ascertain their needs. Then, with a terrific group of experts on the Arctic Fox Advisors team, she matches the right professional(s) ​to the project, and oversees that project until its completion.

With more than 20 years of organizational and workforce performance experience, Heather also offers consultation; facilitation and mediation; content development and training; and coaching to clients around the country. Heather's clients appreciate her authenticity and creative, pragmatic insights and ideas to improve their leadership, their teams and, ultimately, their organizations.

 Heather is a sought-after national keynote speaker, noted for bringing humor, genuineness and practical perspectives to her presentations.

 Cara Fox is a seasoned talent and leadership development professional with over 20 years of experience across a multitude of industries such as transportation and logistics, aviation, tourism, engineering and architecture, oil and gas, and more. Cara believes that true leaders never stop learning and the most effective leaders maximize emotional intelligence to not only influence those around them but to ensure their own well-being and balance. She offers program design & development, facilitation, custom e-learning and in-person course development, teambuilding, learning technology consulting, and custom retreats.

 Brian Walch is a certified executive coach, consultant, and speaker who helps organizations develop their managers and build out best-in-class management cultures. Walch has worked with employees and leaders across HR, IT, finance, and operations. With extensive experience in recruiting, retention, and employee development, Brian combines his experience with people and systems to help managers empower themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

Session 1: Onboarding as a Competitive Advantage

They accepted the offer!  The firm now has a new top-tier employee.  On their first day, they’ve got a desk, a computer, and the necessary credentials to dive in. They met nearly everyone, they know where the breakroom is, and they’ve been given access to the policy and procedure manual.  Congratulations, the new employee orientation was a success!

But orientation is just the beginning. Onboarding is the longer process! While the new employee is learning the ropes, they are also assessing the culture and forming opinions that will guide their career. While the new employee is learning the ropes, they are creating their workforce identity and figuring how they are aligned in the goals and processes. While exciting for many new employees, the onboarding stage is also overwhelming. Leaders should commit to providing consistent support as the employee navigates through it.

Effective onboarding processes don’t happen by chance, so mindful preparation is needed. Brian Walch will present his insights regarding orientation and onboarding, and the benefits of creating thoughtful, engaging processes. Brian knows that a new employee’s shadow can be burdensome, and will highlight how meaningful support can be given without draining critical resources.

Session 2: Come, and Stay

Why did you come? Leaders should be asking this question to every applicant that expressed interest in their firm.

Why do you stay? Leaders should be asking every employee this question throughout their tenure with their firm.

Why are you leaving? Although often asked too late, leaders should still be asking this question each time someone voluntarily separates.

The answers to these questions reveal consistent vulnerabilities and strengths about a company’s work culture. But then what?

Leaders must respond to what they’ve learned, and this session is designed to help. Heather Kinzie will present her attraction and engagement model that can be adapted for any type of organization. Through fast-paced table top discussions, Heather will showcase an easy way to create no less than seven engagement strategies designed to strengthen why individuals wanted to work for a company, and why they will choose to stay with that company.

Session 3: Zen Leadership: Embracing Balance, Self-Care, and Calm Amidst Chaos

In today’s fast-paced legal environment, leadership can often feel overwhelming, leaving little room for personal well-being. Before you know it, your tank is empty and yet your firm is demanding more.

Cara Fox has been there, and she has some ideas. This closing session is designed to equip you with the tools and mindset you need to cultivate inner peace and resilience amidst your demanding roles. Participants will explore the concept of Zen Leadership, and learn how mindfulness and self-care are not just personal luxuries but essential components of effective leadership. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, Cara will help participants discover strategies to find balance, manage overwhelm, and integrate self-care into their daily routines.

Education Committee:

Dawn Gray

Jodi Walton

Karen Schmidlkofer