CBIA 2025 Human Resources Conference

CBIA’s 2025 Human Resources Conference was a must-attend event for HR professionals tackling today’s toughest workplace challenges.

Miranda Creative owner Maria Miranda, the 2024 SBA Small Businessperson of the Year, was among the featured speakers exploring creative strategies for navigating the maze of state and federal workplace mandates.

Littler attorneys Paula Anthony and Nicole Mulé educated attendees about lesser-known laws and regulations—like managing unpaid interns or deducting from final paychecks—that could put businesses at risk.

The Human Resources Consortium’s Kawel LauBach shared practical strategies for building an inclusive, high-performing team and boosting employee morale and retention.

CBIA’s Diane Mokriski joined Carmody Torrance attorneys Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino for our first-ever, in-person HR Hotline Live session—answering questions about managing employee leaves and absences.

Shipman & Goodwin’s Emily McDonough Souza and Daniel Schwartz explored how potential changes to current federal policies could impact noncompetes, independent contractors, DEI initiatives, and NLRB decisions.

And CBIA’s Paul Amarone updated attendees on the latest from the 2025 Connecticut General Assembly session.

This program is approved for 5.5 HRCI credits and 5.5 SHRM PDCs.

Agenda

• Speaker Presentations [pdf]

7:30 am | Check-in & Networking Breakfast

8:30 am | Opening Remarks

• Diane Mokriski, HR Counsel, CBIA

8:40 am | Creative Strategies for Navigating Workplace Mandates

• CBIA’s Grace Brangwynne talks with Maria Miranda, owner and creative director of Miranda Creative, Inc.

9:25 am | Little-Known Employment Laws You’re Probably Breaking

• Moderator: Diane Mokriski, HR Counsel, CBIA
• Paula Anthony, Office Managing Shareholder, Littler
• Nicole Mulé, Associate, Littler

10:25 am | Networking Break

10:45 am | The Secret to Maintaining an Engaged Workforce

• Kawel LauBach, Principal, The Human Resource Consortium

11:30 am | Legislative Update

• Paul Amarone, Public Policy Associate & Advocacy Manager, CBIA

12 pm | Lunch Break

1 pm | HR Hotline Live: Managing Employee Absences

• Moderator: Diane Mokriski, HR Counsel, CBIA
• Vincent Farisello, Partner, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey
• Nick Zaino, Partner, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey

1:45 pm | The Trump Administration: Key Issues for Employers

• Daniel Schwartz, Partner, Shipman & Goodwin
• Emily McDonough Souza, Counsel, Shipman & Goodwin

2:45 pm | Adjourn