Coffee Connects:
Learn About Membership
Membership Director
Jennifer Hagenston
Chapter President
Cherrity Ricks
Join us for our first Coffee Connect, a welcoming morning meetup hosted by Membership Director Jennifer Hagenston and Chapter President Cherrity Ricks.
Designed to connect in a relaxed setting, Coffee Connect offers an opportunity to engage with local HR and business professionals, learn more about the value of membership, and ask questions about getting involved.
Whether you’re a current member, considering joining, or simply looking to expand your professional network, this informal gathering is a great way to build connection and start your day inspired.
This complimentary event is limited to the first 15 RSVPs.
We invite you to join us for a morning of conversation, community, and connection — and of course, great coffee.
*Beverages and food will be available for purchase at the café.
Click on sponsor logo to learn more about the sponsor!
Just a few hours of your time can change someone else’s life forever.
Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death in half. That’s why the American Red Cross is rallying volunteers nationwide through its Sound the Alarm campaign and Kern County SHRM is proud to support this lifesaving effort.
This hands-on volunteer experience gives you the chance to help protect families in our community. In partnership with the Coalinga Fire Department, volunteers will install free smoke alarms, help families create home fire escape plans, and share essential fire safety education. No prior experience is needed; all training will be provided on-site.
The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has already installed more than three million smoke alarms, made over 1.3 million households safer, and helped save more than 2,500 lives. Your involvement helps continue this powerful impact.
This event is a meaningful way to give back, connect with fellow Kern County SHRM members, and support a mission that saves lives every day.
Kern County SHRM
Promote Your Business and Connect with HR Leaders!
This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business and network with over 100+ HR and key business professionals.
As an Event Sponsor, your company or organization will enjoy valuable benefits and visibility throughout the event. Simply select your sponsorship level from the available options listed.
Sponsors, please be sure to provide your organization details (flyers and website), contact representative information (name, email, headshot), and company logo to ensure you receive full recognition.
We look forward to partnering with you for this exciting event!
Sponsorship Registration Terms & Conditions
KCSHRM reserves the right to cancel an event due to low registration or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable.
If KCSHRM cancels an event, sponsorship will be transferable to another available event sponsorship.
Using AI to Transform Your HR Strategy and Drive IMPACT
Speaker: Reanette Etzler
Your strategy is dead without data. Your data is useless without a framework. HR's future is not about being strategic—it's about automating the transactional and weaponizing the strategic with AI and the IMPACT Model to deliver measurable revenue growth.-----The Three Radical Transformations (Key Learning Objectives)
Forget abstract concepts. Attendees will master how to:
Financial Fortification (The AI Mandate): Stop defending costs. Learn the AI-Enhanced 'Show Money, Not Activity' Method to translate every HR investment (from engagement to development) into a C-suite-ready financial metric, using predictive AI to track real-time ROI.
Strategic War-Gaming (The Impact Pivot): Deploy the IMPACT Framework's 'Anticipate' principle—not for risk mitigation, but for Opportunity Architecture. Use AI modeling to predict talent gaps, market shifts, and competitive advantage, positioning HR as the organizational foresight division.
Commanding the Room (The Influence Overhaul): Erase the narrative of the "police." Learn to instantly reframe high-stakes presentations using data-driven narratives and focused, AI-generated dashboards that make the C-suite ask, “Why aren’t we doing more of this?”
Attendees walk out with tools to implement immediately:
The IMPACT Influence Matrix: A complete, step-by-step roadmap for dismantling three transactional processes in their first 48 hours and replacing them with three transformational, revenue-focused IMPACT initiatives.
The Predictive HR Dashboard Starter Kit: Specific, non-technical "AI Tips & Tricks" on leveraging common tools to create three immediate, high-impact predictive reports for workforce planning, a skill set no HR leader can afford to lack.
The Partnership Disruption Script: The exact language and data-driven storytelling formula to transform an upcoming transactional meeting (e.g., budget review) into a transformational partnership pitch that guarantees a C-suite commitment.
Late Registration: Due to Double Tree Hotel Meal Policy, registration for members and nonmembers will be open until six days before the event start date. Any registration after, will be charged as a Late Registration. To avoid paying extra fees, please register by Thursday before the event. Thank you for your understanding and attendance.
Kern County SHRM will ensure to make the credits available before and after each meeting. It is the attendees’ responsibility to capture the HRCI/SHRM credits at that time.
Central Valley
Virtual Certification Study Group
Are you preparing to sit for your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam? The Central Valley Virtual Certification Study Group is designed to help you gain the knowledge, confidence, and strategies you need to succeed.
This ten-week virtual cohort will be a live, interactive, exam focused course led by certified HR leaders from the Central Valley, who bring not only exam expertise but also practical HR experience that goes beyond the textbook.
Live on Zoom beginning April 1st - June 3rd, Wednesdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.
Whether you’re just beginning your prep or looking for a study group designed to meet you where you are and give you the tools to move forward.
Register today and take your first step toward achieving your SHRM certification goals.
Registration Deadline: March 18, 2026
Please keep in mind that the Virtual Certification Study Group is simply a tool to support you in preparing for the exam and does not guarantee that you will pass the exam offered by the credentialing organization.
If you have any questions, please reach out to kerncountyshrm@gmail.com.
No Refunds or No-Show Policy. Any cancellations can be transferred to another individual only until March 18th. Please email kerncountySHRM@gmail.com for questions regarding cancellations.
Kern County SHRM Members,
You are invited to join us for the Great American Cleanup, a community-wide event hosted locally through Keep Bakersfield Beautiful. This annual spring initiative is part of the national Keep America Beautiful campaign and brings together volunteers across the country to beautify neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces. It is one of the largest volunteer-driven cleanup efforts in the United States, and we are excited for Kern County SHRM to take part.
The Great American Cleanup offers an opportunity to strengthen community connections, support a cleaner and healthier Bakersfield, and represent Kern County SHRM in a meaningful local effort. Volunteers come together each year to remove litter, improve public areas, and show pride in our city. It is a simple way to make a visible difference while enjoying a morning of teamwork and service.
We hope to see you there for a fun day of giving back with Kern County SHRM!
Workplace Investigations –
Best Practices & Pitfalls
Presented by:
Click on speaker Image to read bio.
Colin P. Calvert
Partner and Manufacturing Industry Group Co-Chair
This presentation will highlight the tools necessary to handle a variety of workplace investigations, as well as the most common mistakes employers make along the way.
Attendees will receive practical instruction from a seasoned practitioner designed to not only maximize internal outcomes, but create a defensible record of your investigatory efforts.
Sponsorship Flyer.
It’s a great opportunity to promote your business and network with over 100+ HR and key business professionals with HR responsibilities.
As an Event Sponsor your company or non-profit will receive some great sponsor benefits. Select your sponsorship type from the available sponsorship types listed.
Sponsors please ensure to provide details about your organization (Flyers and Website), contact representative (info and headshot) and company logo.
The 29th Annual Kern County SHRM Conference is Kern County’s leading gathering of HR professionals and business leaders, welcoming more than 400 attendees—from HR practitioners to executive leadership. This high-impact, one-day event is designed to inspire, educate, and equip those who influence workplace strategy and organizational success.
As a sponsor, you’ll have direct access to the decision-makers driving talent development, compliance, culture, and business performance across our region. This is more than brand visibility—it’s an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with professionals actively looking for trusted partners and innovative solutions.
With engaging speakers, relevant content, and a highly targeted audience, the conference creates a powerful environment to showcase your expertise and demonstrate your commitment to strengthening the HR community.
Partner with us and elevate your presence among Kern County’s most influential workplace leaders.
WATCH THE THEME REVEAL
Saddle up for Success at the 2026 KC SHRM Conference, where HR and business pros will gather to wrangle the toughest workplace challenges and ride boldly into the future of people strategy.
This year’s western‑themed roundup will tackle the big‑ticket issues—compliance hurdles, leadership and employee development, talent retention, organizational culture, and engagement—while also shining a spotlight on forward‑looking 2026 initiatives such as AI‑supported HR operations, data‑driven decision‑making, and modernized workforce planning.
With an expected turnout of 400+ attendees and more than 50 exhibitors, this year’s event promises one of the most dynamic showings yet, bringing together professionals ready to dust off their boots, steer through today’s HR wild terrain, and leave with actionable insights that help their organizations thrive on the open range.
Five Reasons to Saddle up for Success:
1. Wrangle Real-World Insights – Hear from trailblazing industry leaders sharing practical strategies on workplace culture, leadership, and HR best practices.
2. Round Up Powerful Connections – Expand your professional network and build relationships with peers, mentors, and decision-makers across the region.
3. Sharpen Your Leadership Spurs – Strengthen your HR and leadership skillset through engaging workshops and forward-thinking sessions.
4. Ride Away Inspired – Gain fresh perspective and actionable ideas from our dynamic keynote speaker to help you lead with confidence.
5. Stay on the Certification Trail – Earn valuable recertification credits while staying ahead of emerging HR trends and business strategies.
The keynote reveal is almost here....
And We’re debuting a first-ever morning Fireside Chat with a Special Guest from National SHRM.
We will once again be closing the conference this year with a networking social to give all attendees, speakers, and vendors further opportunity to connect.
Don’t miss this opportunity for professional learning, career enhancement and member engagement.
P.O. Box 2802 Bakersfield, CA 93302
© KCSHRM 2019 - ALL RIGHTS RESVERVED.
