Dr. De Hicks

SCGI

Dr. De Hicks is the Founder and President of the RMC Group of Companies which includes SCGI, a research firm dedicated to improving performance of high-impact, mission-oriented organizations, and the HILT Academy, a virtual Leadership Development School. SCGI’s research, led by Dr. Hicks, has resulted in significant gains in impact and productivity for newly minted and experienced leaders. His research has resulted in breakthroughs in the science of habit formation, effective decision-making, cross-functional, and interdisciplinary communication, conflict management, change management as well as groundbreaking insights into stress management. Dr. Hicks has 40 years of experience in researching, teaching, complex problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, mentoring and coaching and strategic change management. Dr. Hicks is a featured speaker at conferences across the United States and works effectively with small and large groups. His firm’s clients have included the Department of Defense’s Command University and Trident Refit Facility, Multiple Police and Fire Departments, 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centers, Healthcare consortiums, Universities, Software Development firms, Investment Funds, Broadcast and Print Journalism Enterprises, and International Trade Consortiums.

Built for the Storm (calm waters are rare)

Based on years of research, this session uncovers small changes you can make that result in a big difference, right away. Apply these changes and your life and work will be transformed. This session will help participants understand at least the following:

• What is stress (hint: it’s not what you’ve always thought)
• How to manage it on a daily basis
• How to help those you influence manage stress
• What is the difference between a discipline and a habit
• How to replace old habits that don’t work with new ones that do (it’s easier than you think)
• How to use your limited willpower reserves to jump start a discipline

Jessi Beyer

Jessi Beyer International

Jessi Beyer, MHP, is an international TEDx speaker; the #1 best-selling author of How To Heal: A Practical Guide To Nine Integrative Therapies That Can Help Release Trauma; a crisis mental health professional in Snohomish County, Washington; and a former negotiator with Region 1 SWAT.

Named the 2025 Best International Mental Health Speaker by Global Health and Pharma, she has been featured in over 200 media outlets, including Thrive Global, Refinery29, and Elite Daily, and has spoken to thousands of people around the world through groups like Penn State University, Leadercast NOW, and the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma’s international summit. Jessi holds master’s degrees in critical psychology and human services (focusing in trauma and crisis intervention) from Prescott College and in military psychology (focusing in terrorism) from Adler University. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys exploring the trails of the Pacific Northwest and baking (and eating) copious amounts of chocolate chip cookies.

Jessi also holds a special passion for military and first responder mental health. Her father, cousin, and grandfathers served in the military, and Jessi has experience as an EMT, a search and rescue volunteer, and a First Responder Therapy Dogs K9 handler. Her heart is with those who are first on the scene, first to fight, and first to help people when they need it most.

When Conversations Escalate: Tactical Communication for HR

Organizations are made up of humans, and with humans come emotions. Whether those emotions originate at work or at home, HR leaders are frequently called upon to navigate conversations with escalated employees. In this session, crisis mental health professional and former SWAT negotiator Jessi Beyer will introduce 12 tactical communication skills HR professionals can use to build rapport, reduce escalation, and move a difficult conversation toward a successful resolution. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their role in a workplace crisis, greater confidence and competence navigating high-stakes conversations, and an immediately applicable communication toolkit for strengthening their active listening and de-escalation skills.

Catharine Morisset

Fisher Phillips LLP

Catharine Morisset is a litigation partner in Fisher Phillips’ Seattle office. She represents local and national employers in litigation in state and federal courts, on appeal, and also before the EEOC and similar state agencies in all aspects of workplace law, such as the ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, FCRA, NLRA, Title VII, UTSA, and similar state laws.

Catharine uses her litigation experience to work closely with clients across all industries to provide effective preventive counseling and workforce training. This includes regularly advising and training clients on drug testing, background checks, hiring, diversity, wage-hour compliance, leaves, noncompetition agreements, reasonable accommodations, investigations, employment agreements, discipline, terminations, and mass layoffs.

Catharine is an experienced management and workforce trainer, sharing her legal knowledge and experience in an accessible, dynamic, and interactive manner.  As part of her commitment to fostering successful workplaces, Catharine is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).  She is an accomplished speaker, who is often invited to address members across the state and the Pacific Northwest in all areas of workplace law. Catharine proudly demonstrates her commitment to advancing women in the legal profession as an ambassador to the firm’s Women’s Initiative and Leadership Council.

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