In a tight labor market, organizations must compete not only to attract talent, but to engage and retain new hires from the very first interaction. This panel brings together HR and Talent Acquisition leaders to explore modern recruiting and onboarding strategies that strengthen the talent pipeline and set employees up for long-term success.

Panelists will share practical insights on sourcing and attracting candidates in a competitive environment, creating a positive and inclusive candidate experience, and designing onboarding programs that accelerate engagement, productivity, and retention. Through real-world examples and candid discussion, participants will gain actionable ideas they can apply immediately within their own organizations.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1.  Identify effective recruiting strategies for attracting qualified talent in a competitive market, including approaches that strengthen employer brand and candidate experience.

2.  Recognize key components of a successful onboarding program that promote early engagement, clarity, and connection during an employee’s first 90 days.

3.  Evaluate opportunities to better align recruiting and onboarding practices to improve retention, productivity, and long-term workforce outcomes.

Meet the Speakers:

Becky Gibson is the Director of Human Resources at Sanderson MacLeod, Inc., a twisted-in-wire brush manufacturing company based in Palmer, Massachusetts. In her HR leadership role, Becky oversees talent acquisition, employee engagement, and workforce development to support the company’s people centric culture and operational goals. With a background rooted in human resources management, Becky has played a key role in cultivating workplace initiatives and recognition programs that honor employee contributions and strengthen organizational culture. She holds a degree from the University of Vermont and is known for her commitment to fostering supportive work environments and strategic HR practices.

Erin Purkerson is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at the Center for Human Development (CHD), where she leads strategic recruiting efforts to attract and retain top talent that supports CHD’s mission of delivering high‑quality, community‑oriented human services in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. In her role, Erin partners with leaders across the organization to build effective hiring practices and strengthen workforce capacity in programs spanning behavioral health, developmental services, and community support. Before joining CHD, she gained experience in talent acquisition and HR support across organizations in the region, bringing a people‑centric approach to recruitment and organizational growth. Erin is committed to fostering inclusive hiring processes and helping CHD continue to grow its impactful workforce.

Pam Thornton is a seasoned HR leader, speaker, and strategist with over 30 years of experience in private industry and the nonprofit sector. She has held leadership roles at companies including LEGO Systems, Inc. and K2 Sports, overseeing HR operations for teams of 200+ and driving initiatives in performance management, engagement, and organizational development. Since 2014, Pam has been a key leader at the Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE), guiding the HR team, mentoring staff, and partnering with member organizations to deliver tailored HR solutions. A sought-after speaker, she covers topics such as leadership development, talent recruitment and retention, and building an engaging employee value proposition. Pam holds a bachelor’s in business with a concentration in Strategic HR and is certified as SHRM-CP and PHR.

Jake Toomey is Associate Vice President for Human Resources at Mount Holyoke College, where he leads HR strategy, drives organizational effectiveness, and enhances the employee experience. Previously at Hampshire College, he transformed HR functions during a period of institutional transition. Jake brings extensive experience in higher education and public service, focusing on equitable, community-informed solutions that align with organizational priorities. A veteran of the Army National Guard, he served ten years as a Staff Sergeant and Squad Leader, including a deployment to Iraq. Jake holds a Master’s in Education Leadership from American International College and a BFA in Art Education from UMass Amherst.

Event Sponsor:

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Recertification Provider(s):

HRMA of Western New England is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP^sm or SHRM-SCP^sm. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.

The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

 
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