SHRM Membership Benefits Webinar

Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP is a SHRM Membership Initiatives Director and former co-host of SHRM’s Honest HR Podcast, where she helps bring SHRM’s mission to life by designing strategies that attract, engage, and retain more than 330,000 members worldwide.

A strategic change agent with over 20 years of broad-based experience across both public and private sectors, in various HR leadership roles, including Vice-President of People & Culture; Monique is known for transforming organizational cultures, boosting engagement, and driving measurable results in employee satisfaction and retention. Her collaborative, people-centered approach has consistently helped organizations align purpose with performance.

Beyond SHRM, Monique serves as a Master Examiner and Mentor with the Sterling Council Board of Examiners, where she evaluates and mentor organizations across the Southeast using the Malcolm Baldrige Performance Excellence framework to advance leadership systems and operational excellence and serves on various local non-profit Boards.

Passionate about service and development, Monique intentionally connects people, ideas, and opportunities in ways that create excellence and momentum.

Paula Humber, MBA, SHRM-SCP, is a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience in corporate, entrepreneurial, and consulting roles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wheaton College, an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, and the prestigious SHRM-SCP certification, reflecting her advanced HR expertise. 

As Members and Community Director for the Southeast Region, Paula partners with SHRM state councils and chapters to drive growth, sustainability, and member engagement. Her career spans specialties in recruiting, employee relations, and training program development, including her leadership as President and Senior HR Consultant at P&L Corporate Solutions. 

An active community leader, Paula has served as a SHRM Chapter volunteer (2019–2025) and contributed to organizations such as the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, COMTO, NFBPA, and the Historic Northwest Business Alliance. 

Dr. Jeannette Cook, SHRM SCP, is the Director of Members and Community at SHRM   where she leads efforts to enhance member engagement, strengthen community connection, and support HR professionals across various states. With over 20 years of experience in human resources, Jeannette has held leadership roles across both the public and private sectors, including nonprofits and publicly traded organizations. She holds a doctorate in Organization Development and brings a deep commitment to helping organizations strategically leverage their talent, cultivate innovation, and achieve sustained performance excellence. 
 
She previously served as Head of Talent for a national nonprofit in education and has built and scaled HR and talent strategies across diverse organizations. A strong believer in service, Jeannette has held several volunteer leadership roles in local chapters and executive boards. She believes strongly in the power of service and the importance of building meaningful connections within the HR community.