Solving the Caregiving Gap

Emily M. Dickens is Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary, SHRM.

She is an accomplished attorney, strategist, and senior executive at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)—the world’s largest HR trade association and the fourth largest trade association globally. As a member of SHRM’s executive leadership team, she drives organizational effectiveness and impact across governance, public affairs, global policy, legal, real estate, and philanthropy, while serving as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors.

In her role, Dickens oversees SHRM’s advocacy and policy agenda, guiding the work of the “A-Team,” a 300,000-member grassroots network of HR professionals who shape workplace policy nationwide. She has executive oversight for four divisions: corporate governance, government affairs and policy, legal and administrative affairs, and the SHRM Foundation.

Dickens amplifies SHRM’s voice on key global, national, and local platforms by holding influential roles as Co-Chair of the B20 Brazil Women in Business Action Council, Governance Committee Member for the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), and Board Member of The Bryce Harlow Foundation, Skill-Up, and the National Foundation for Women Legislators.

Wendi Safstrom is a senior non-profit leader committed to serving the public through philanthropic program management, cultivating strategic partnerships, and managing and developing high performing teams. She has both association and nonprofit management experience including national program development and administration, membership strategy, marketing and product development, grant management, development and donor stewardship, and leading cross functional teams. Safstrom currently serves as President for the Society for Human Resource Management Foundation (SHRM Foundation), where she is ultimately responsible for the development and implementation of SHRM Foundation's programmatic, development, and marketing and communication strategies in support of SHRM Foundation's new mission and vision, creating growth plans and ensuring alignment with SHRM goals.

Prior to assuming the role at SHRM Foundation, Safstrom served as Vice President at the National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and was responsible for all Foundation programming, including workforce development initiatives, scholarship and event management, community relations and engagement initiatives. The NRAEF's philanthropic programming supported a number of audiences including high school youth, veterans transitioning from service to civilian work and life, opportunity youth, and incumbent workers.

Steve Schwab is an experienced national leader in health, public policy, communications and philanthropy, and a passionate champion for military and veteran caregivers, their veterans, and families. As a widely sought after expert on these issues, Steve has closely advised the White House and policymakers, leaders, and organizations in every sector, testified before Congress, addressed audiences across the globe, and represented the concerns of caregivers and military families in national media appearances, including on NBC's TODAY, 60 Minutes, Fox & Friends, and NPR.

As CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Steve spearheads the country's preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring military caregivers, their veterans, and families. Since 2014, he has grown and developed the Foundation from its start-up phase into an established national nonprofit responsible for some of the most impactful reforms, programs, and legislative and regulatory solutions to the challenges facing military families.

Under Steve's leadership, the Foundation launched the Hidden Heroes Campaign, established the Hidden Heroes Cities and Counties program, successfully championed the expansion of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, and created Heroes & History Makers, a signature fundraising event that has raised millions of dollars for caregiver resources. In 2024, Steve led the movement to pass the largest bipartisan VA reform legislation, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act), which was signed into law on January 2, 2025. Steve led the launch of the Hidden Helpers Coalition in 2021, bringing together the White House and more than a hundred public and private organizations to support the children in military and veteran caregiving families.