UPHRA is excited to present " Workplace Harmony: Tools for Mediation and Support Navigation." Join us at Northern Michigan University's Northern Center on the morning of Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, to learn more about mediation and the tools you can use to help foster a harmonious workplace. Lunch is provided.
Agenda:
| 09:30 AM -10:00 AM |
Registration/Welcome |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Kim Crowel, |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Mediation Overview/Panel with MARS |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM |
Lunch provided NMU Catering Taco Buffet |
| 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM |
Mediation Role Play |
| 02:00 PM -3:00PM |
Heather Merrik, SHRM |
About of Speakers:
Kim Crowel
Kim Crowel is a master-level psychologist in private practice with over 25 years of experience working with individuals and couples who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, or grief. She also worked as a healthcare administrator throughout the country in prisons and jails. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, running along the lakeshore, and playing with her 6-month-old Bernedoodle.
Jon Wisniewski
Jon Wisniewski has been the Executive Director of the Marquette Alger Resolution Service (MARS) since January 2024. He has worked in various organizations in the Marquette area as well as working as a Financial Analyst with the State of Michigan in Lansing in both the Executive and Legislative branches of state government.
Terri Gillotte
Terri Gillotte has been the MARS case manager since November 2023 and MARS mediator for 17 years. She has done special education mediation training in 2024 as well as behavioral health mediation.
Heather Merrick
Heather Merrick is an empathetic and strategic creator of connections. Heather has over 15 years of experience in HR related roles with a strong background in talent acquisition, organizational & workforce development, employee engagement, HR policy development, & HR strategy. Finding great people for companies, building and optimizing teams, and creating healthy work cultures is her passion, and she is committed to making the community she lives in a better place for everyone.
Heather joined SHRM as a Members and Community Director in August 2024 after spending the majority of her career in talent strategy. In her prior experience, she partnered with client companies in providing HR solutions for recruiting and retaining top-notch talent. Heather also provided consultation on HR policy development; best practices for employee engagement, organizational development, talent acquisition, & succession management; Veteran hiring, onboarding, & retention initiatives; and HR strategy for business success.
In addition to her private sector work, Heather served 7 years in the U.S. Army, and she is a certified SHRM Foundation Inclusion Captain for Veteran Hiring, Onboarding, & Retention initiatives. Her education includes a BBA with majors in HR management & marketing and MBA with a concentration in human resources. In addition, she is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and holds the SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential.
Heather is an active volunteer in the community, having served as a SHRM volunteer at both the Chapter and State Council level from 2012 to 2024; serving on a board committee for Family Promise of West Michigan 2020 to 2024; and serving on the South Kent Chamber Board of Directors in 2024.
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