From HR Leader to National Leader: A Professional Journey of Growth, Influence, and Impact

Mike Aitken is Executive Vice President of Membership and Communities at SHRM, following 15 years of leading SHRM’s successful advocacy programs as Vice President of Government Affairs.  

Mike is a leading authority on the issues important to the human resource profession and drives SHRM’s membership vision, ensuring excellent member experiences, and implementing the organization’s newly developed business strategy.  

He applies his proven model of engagement to shape the future of work, workers, and workplaces. He is an expert relationship-builder across diverse constituencies and stakeholders, always seeking out the “win-win” in every situation. 

As a member of SHRM’s executive team, Mike also plays a key role in setting the strategic direction of the organization, offering important counsel on SHRM’s educational programs and professional development opportunities.  

Prior to joining SHRM in 2003, he spent 14 years with the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), which represents more than 23,000 HR professionals at over 1,900 higher education institutions.  

In 2015 and 2016, Mike served as an employer representative on the U.S. delegation to the International Labour Conference.  

Susan Greene, Ph.D., SHRM-CP, PHR, CCT is the Chief Clerk Administrator (Chief Operating Officer-COO) for Union County, Pennsylvania. She holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University in Workforce Education and Development, Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Warren National University (private), and a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State University. She has over 30 years of business, human resources, operations and workforce development experience that spans various industry sectors (profit, not for profit, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, government, retail, and education).

Sue has been dedicated to her volunteer roles that span over 25 years in the Human Resource field. She started as a member of a local chapter, got involved on committees, joined the board, and moved into the Chapter President role for Susquehanna Human Resource Management Association. That position automatically gave her a seat on the Pennsylvania SHRM State Council. She continued to volunteer on Core Leadership Areas; Workforce Readiness, Certification, and District Director before moving into executive leadership as Secretary, Director Elect, and State Director. She is currently the immediate Past State Director.

Sue has been recognized in other areas including an Athena International Leadership award recipient, a Women of Outstanding Leadership by the International Women’s Leadership Association, and a Woman of Excellence in Lycoming County through the YWCA. She served on the Commission for Women appointed by the President at Penn State University. She continues to give back to her community and participates on several executive leadership boards for Transitions and is the past chair of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Katrina Gooch, SHRM-SCP, is Director of Human Resources at HealthTeam Advantage in Oak Ridge, North Carolina. She is also the Immediate Past State Director for the SHRM North Carolina where she played a pivotal role in advancing SHRM’s mission across the state by empowering Chapter leaders, strengthening programming, and aligning local efforts with national strategic goals.

Over the course of her SHRM journey, Katrina has held multiple key leadership roles within the Chapter structure, including Treasurer, Diversity Director, Second Vice President, First Vice President, and Chapter President. Through these roles, she has gained a deep understanding of chapter operations, volunteer management, and the value of inclusive leadership. Her contributions have led to increased member engagement, more robust leadership pipelines, and impactful professional development experiences for HR professionals.

With more than 15 years of progressive experience in the HR field, Katrina holds a master’s degree in management from High Point University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Waynesburg University. She is certified as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).

Rose Ann Garza, SHRM-SCP, is Chief Human Resources Officer at Kerbey Lane All Day Café in Austin, Texas.

Rose Ann Garza is a respected human resources executive and SHRM Volunteer Leader known for building people-centered cultures grounded in trust, transparency, and accountability. With more than 25 years of experience in human resources and organizational leadership, Rose Ann brings a rare combination of strategic insight, operational credibility, and heartfelt leadership-knowing when to lead boldly, when to collaborate, and when to listen deeply.

Rose Ann has spent nearly two decades with Kerbey Lane All Day Cafe, where she has grown alongside the organization through periods of rapid expansion, complexity, and change. Appointed Chief Human Resources Officer in 2018, she has played a critical role in more than doubling the size of the company, strengthening leadership capability, modernizing HR infrastructure, and embedding values-driven practices across the organization. Under her leadership, Kerbey Lane has earned multiple external recognitions, including Best Places for Working Parents and Ethics in Business awards, and launched award-winning initiatives such as Kerbey Kindness, the company's philanthropic program supporting Central Texas communities. Today, Kerbey Lane stands as the largest privately owned and operated restaurant group in Central Texas, with people practices that reflect Rose Ann's belief that strong cultures drive strong results.

Beyond her professional role, Rose Ann is a deeply committed leader within the SHRM community. Her volunteer journey began as a student and evolved into decades of service at the local, state, and national levels. Through SHRM Austin, Rose Ann served on committees, held multiple director roles, and ultimately led the chapter as President-laying the foundation for broader state-level impact. Within SHRM Texas, she has served in nearly every senior leadership role, including Workforce Readiness Director, District Director, Assistant State Director, State Director-Elect, State Director, and Immediate Past State Director.

As State Director, Rose Ann was recognized for her ability to balance the diverse needs of chapters across Texas while strengthening alignment, leadership readiness, and volunteer engagement statewide. She led the development of LeadHRs, SHRM Texas' first-of-its-kind leadership development program, which earned the prestigious SHRM Pinnacle Award in 2024-one of the organization's highest national honors.

Christine Rodman, SHRM-CP, is Founder and CEO of Lynx Employer Resources, LLC in Santa Rosa, California.

Christine Rodman is the founder and CEO of Lynx Employer Resources, LLC, driven by her steadfast commitment to imparting knowledge and expertise in human resources and compliance. With more than 25 years of progressive HR and training experience, including 10 years of HR consulting and 5 years co-building Lynx Employer Resources from the ground up, Christine has developed strong business acumen and a proven ability to make tough decisions while prioritizing the best interests of the HR community. Her consulting work has been particularly impactful for small to mid-size businesses and nonprofits, helping them navigate the complexities and challenges specific to California’s employment laws and regulations.

Throughout her career, Christine has successfully designed and facilitated numerous training and mentorship programs to increase productivity, ensure legal compliance, and boost morale across a wide range of industries. Her strategic approach to HR, combined with her passion for fostering inclusive and effective workplaces, has positioned her as a trusted advisor to organizations and leaders throughout California. Christine is deeply passionate about elevating HR within California, actively sharing ideas across chapters, and delivering a return on investment through SHRM membership and networking opportunities.

Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University, a SHRM-CP designation through SHRM, and an HR Management Certificate from Sonoma State University, where she currently teaches Talent Acquisition and Total Compensation.

Dedicated to giving back to both her profession and community, Christine has served as State Director for the California State Council for SHRM and formerly the co-chair for HR Roundtable II of Women for Wine Sense. She has been actively involved with various community organizations, including the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, Chops Teen Club, and the YWCA.