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Across the nation, businesses of nearly every size and in every industry are facing unprecedented challenges in filling open positions. Data from the US Chamber of Commerce says that there are currently 11.3 million job openings in the US, but not enough workers to fill them. Not only are businesses having trouble hiring, but they’re also struggling to keep the employees that they already have.  According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more workers are willing to leave their current jobs for more competitive offerings or to switch careers.  We know this is causing disruption across the United States and around the world.
So, what do we do about it?

JEDCO and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce teamed up to bring you a seminar on how to hire and then, hold onto quality employees. In this month’s Prosper Jefferson, Human Resources experts will provide best practices and actionable advice to help improve recruitment and retention strategies.

MEET THE EXPERTS:

Amy B. Bakay, SHRM-SCP
HR NOLA
Amy is a self-proclaimed “HR-Geek” and Founder/CEO of HR NOLA, a New Orleans-based HR Consulting and Outsourcing firm with offices in New Orleans, LA & San Antonio, TX.
HR Nola provides customized Human Resources solutions for start-ups and small businesses on a retained or project basis. With a strong focus on compliance and culture, HR Nola manages the entire employee life cycle for businesses; from hire to retire!
When Amy is not busy leading a HR team, she is an Adjunct Professor for the Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law from Tulane University Law School, where she authored and instructs the course “Managing the Employee Life Cycle”. Bakay is a 2018 New Orleans City Business, Woman of the Year and 2019 Goldman Sachs 10k SMB alumni. She is a Senior Certified Professional from the Society of Human Resources Management and holds a Bachelor of Science in HR from Mississippi College School of Business.

Madison Moody
Bemana
Madison specializes in the recruitment of engineers, technical talent, and c-suite executives across all of Bemana's practice areas. She also consults Bemana's clients on best hiring practices to ensure they are providing a great candidate experience.
She received her B.S. in Management and MBA from the University of New Orleans. She enjoys advocating for so many great candidates and being able to partake in life-changing opportunities. Here's what one of her candidates said: "Madison was extremely helpful and ensured she was looking out for my best interest. Always kept me informed and engaged with the hiring company”
In her spare time, Madison enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Sharelle Lewis
Fuji Vegetable Oil
Sharelle Lewis is the HR Manager of Fuji Vegetable Oil, a global specialty oil and fat producer with a brand new facility in Avonale. In her role, she focuses on recruitment and retention strategies to employ workers in high-paying, impactful roles. Sharelle has 20 years of HR experience with progressive HR roles in various industries, including telecommunications, defense contracting, and food manufacturing. She is an LSU graduate.

Perry Sholes, SPHR/SP
HR Progressive Strategies
Perry is President of Progressive HR Strategies Inc., New Orleans based HR Consulting firm with success in creating economic value through Human Resource leadership. He has helped to drive profitability at complex global organizations that include private equity portfolio companies, large public companies, and privately-owned businesses. Perry has a unique background in Human Resource management and Operations, starting as an Hourly Employee and General Manager at Mc Donald’s Corporation in New Orleans, District Manager at Taco Bell Corporation and Regional Foodservice Manager at Target Stores Corporation, all roles with P&L, operations, training, and people development responsibilities.

His Human Resources skills were developed in the consumer products (CPG) industry at Nabisco Foods Company Inc. and Kraft Foods Inc.; he was responsible for various corporate functions in both domestic and Latin America. Perry has held several roles leading the HR function and guiding company culture: Raising Cane’s team as VP Crew Resources, VP HR at Thomas and King Inc., a privately-owned operator of Applebee’s and Johnny Carino’s brands and SVP HR at Last Call Operating Company; Fox & Hound and Champps Sports Grill brands. These roles have enhanced his ability to lead through course changes, operate within slim margins, grow the organization’s talent development infrastructure, and build highly capable and service-oriented HR teams.
Perry received an Executive MBA from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Marketing from Tampa College. He is a certified HR professional (SPHR and SCP), Myers-Briggs Practitioner and Predictive Index Talent Optimization Consultant. Perry is 2019 Graduate of New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) and Urban League’s ULead Program. He served most recently as President New Orleans SHRM Chapter in 2020 and Diversity Director Louisiana State SHRM Council 2022. He has been a member for several year and now serves as Board Chairman of the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce 2022. As a result of his time in NORLI Class of 2019, he founded Corporate Internship Leadership Institute (CILI) in spring of 2019, a Louisiana based 501c3 and serves as Board Chairman. CILI provides self-awareness, professional development, and career building connections for BIPOC college students through internships with corporate partners.