Rhode Island SHRM Annual Volunteer Leaders' Business Conference
The Rhode Island SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Annual Volunteer Leaders Conference is a premier event designed to inspire, educate, and empower volunteer leaders across Rhode Island. Focused on exploring the vast volunteer opportunities within SHRM, this conference celebrates the benefits of investing time and talent within the SHRM network. Participants will gain insights into how RI SHRM’s broad range of services can enhance their professional development while significantly impacting the community.
Throughout the afternoon, participants will hear from top leaders in Rhode Island as they discuss the growing importance of corporate and social responsibility. This program will highlight how organizations can leverage their most valuable assets—talent, time, and treasure—to drive meaningful change and align with their mission.
Whether you are a seasoned HR professional, an emerging leader, or simply passionate about making a difference, the RI SHRM Volunteer Leaders Conference is your opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, gain inspiration, and unlock the potential of SHRM membership to expand your impact.
Target Audience: All current RI SHRM Volunteers (board members and their committee members) and all future volunteers are welcome to join us!
Meet our Speakers/Panelists
Carolyn E. Belisle
Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), Carolyn spearheads the organization's social responsibility strategy. This encompasses philanthropy, volunteerism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), health equity, and numerous associated initiatives such as the RI Life Index, LGBTQ Safe Zones, employee business resource groups, and Project SEARCH.
Under Carolyn’s direction, BCBSRI has earned a reputation for exemplary corporate citizenship. Over her 23-year tenure with the company, she has significantly developed and transformed its community partnership and philanthropic activities. Carolyn's efforts focus on leveraging the company's assets—philanthropy, employee volunteerism, commitment to equity, and strategic partnerships—to address critical issues impacting the health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders. Under her leadership, BCBSRI has been recognized for nine consecutive years with a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index, and in 2023, received a perfect score on the Disability Equality Index. read more
Adam Bush
Co-Founder & President
College Unbound
Adam Bush is the co-founder and president of College Unbound, a degree-completion college working to ensure all adult learners are valued as scholar-practitioners and have access to a bachelor’s degree. College Unbound reflects Bush’s professional commitment to improvisation, learning, collective action, and imagination. He sat on Imagining America’s National Advisory Board from 2010–2019 and is currently a board member of the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), the New Business Advisory Board of the American Library Association (ALA), and the Bringing Theory to Practice’s Paradigm Project. Bush earned his PhD from the University of Southern California’s Department of American Studies and Ethnicity. He received the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award from AAC&U in 2011 and the John Saltmarsh Award for Emerging Leaders in Civic Engagement from AASCU’s American Democracy Project in 2015.
Tyler A. Joseph
Global Network Planner
Hasbro
Tyler A Joseph is a seasoned business professional with several years of experience in Supply Chain Management, Human Resources, and Project Management, with a deep commitment to volunteerism and community engagement. Throughout his career, he has not only focused on optimizing business operations and delivering project success but also dedicated significant time and resources to giving back through volunteering and mentorship.
In addition to managing cross-functional teams and leading complex projects across industries such as Healthcare, Food & Beverage, and Toys & Games, he is passionate about using his skills to make a positive impact in the community. He’s particularly focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), advocating for inclusive practices both in the workplace and in volunteer settings.
As an active volunteer and mentor, he believes in the power of "Paying It Back, and Paying It Forward"—a guiding philosophy that drives his commitment to helping others, whether by offering mentorship to young professionals, participating in local outreach programs, or supporting organizations that promote social change. He has worked with various community initiatives, using his expertise to mentor individuals, develop leadership programs, and contribute to causes that support underrepresented groups in the workplace and beyond.
He is excited to be part of this panel, where he can share his insights on how business professionals can leverage his skills to give back, create lasting impact, and foster a culture of social responsibility both in and outside of the workplace. By encouraging others to integrate volunteerism into his professional lives, he hopes to inspire others to use their talents to make a difference and build stronger, more connected communities.
Jenny Locanthi, SHRM-SCP
Membership Initiatives Director
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Jenny Locanthi, SHRM-SCP is a Membership Initiatives Director at SHRM. Prior to joining SHRM, Jenny worked as an HR practitioner supporting a wide variety of HR functions including compensation, talent acquisition, benefits, compliance, payroll, training and performance management. She is passionate about supporting organizations and the people that make their work possible. As a Membership Initiatives Director, she supports HR professionals and their SHRM-affiliated associations in serving and advancing the HR profession.
John Olerio
Executive Director for Summer Sessions, Winter J Term, & Strategic Initiatives
University of Rhode Island
John Olerio is the Executive Director for Summer Sessions, Winter J Term, & Strategic Initiatives at the University of Rhode Island. He earned his bachelor's degree from Boston College and his MBA and Ph.D. from URI. He is passionate about student success and community engagement, especially in his home city of Providence. His volunteer work is currently focused on the Brown Fox Point Early Childhood Education Center, for which he is the Vice President of the Board of Directors, the Rhode Island Chapter of BC Alumni, which he co-leads, and Providence Recreation, which he informally supports with fundraising efforts.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Stef Nelson at rishrmsponsorship@gmail.com.
