September - Squash the Sunday Scaries (September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Squash the Sunday Scaries

with returning speaker Mary Baird

Employees are burned out, trust is fragile, and too many people are quietly dreading work before the week even begins. In this practical, energizing keynote, Mary Baird shares how HR leaders and people managers can use employee experience as a business strategy to rebuild trust, reduce friction, and reignite workforce momentum.

Based on her book, Squash the Sunday Scaries, this session introduces a simple framework for identifying what is breaking the employee experience and where to focus first. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to listen better, act faster, and create a 30-day action plan to improve the way people experience work.

After attending this session, participants will be able to:

Identify the key workplace friction points that contribute to disengagement, burnout, and “Sunday Scaries.”
Apply the Employee Experience Flywheel™ to prioritize the right actions for rebuilding trust and improving workforce performance.
Create a practical 30-day action plan to improve employee experience in a way that supports better people and business outcomes.

Mary Baird, PHR has one goal in mind…to help people simplify their lives. With over 18+ years experience in leadership development, employee experience, and as an international workshop facilitator, she helps medium to large corporations who are struggling with high turnover and low employee engagement to better navigate the ever-changing world of work by SIMPLIFYING. She is here today to simplify creating a better employee experience at your organization and help you become a hero in your workplace.

Visit www.squashthesundayscaries.com to learn more about the book.

This program is approved for 1 PDC for the SHRM-CP^® or SHRM-SCP^®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit SHRM Certification or email certification@mchra.org.

Mid Cities HR Association is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP^® or SHRM-SCP^®.

This program is approved for 1 recertification credit through HRCI.

Online registration will be closed at the close of business the Monday before the meeting. All reservations are due at that time.

Cancellations & Payments:
We regret that we must charge members and guests the cost of the event when cancellations are not received at least 48 hours prior to the event day. All payments must be made before or by the time of attendance. By submitting your registration, you agree to these conditions. We appreciate your understanding and support.

Use of Materials

By attending an event affiliated with Mid-Cities HR Association (MCHRA), attendees consent and agree to being photographed and/or videoed. Attendees agree to allow MCHRA to use, publish, and distribute their names, pictures, images, and voices (herein the “Materials”) for illustration, training, and/or marketing of MCHRA, in any and all forms of media, including but not limited to MCHRA's website, Facebook and LinkedIn. Attendees waive any right to review or approve any use of the Materials, any written copy, or any finished product. Attendees will not receive any compensation or payment for MCHRA's use of the Materials and waive any rights, claims, or interest in the Materials.

October - Leading Through Change (Managing Uncertainty and Communication During Transitions) (October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Leading Through Change

(Managing Uncertainty and Communication During Transitions)

Organizational change is constant, and how leaders communicate during periods of uncertainty often matters more than the change itself. This virtual session gives HR professionals and people leaders practical tools for guiding teams through transitions with clarity and confidence. Participants will learn how to manage ambiguity, communicate effectively when answers are incomplete, and support employees who are navigating shifts in structure, process, or leadership.

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

1. Identify common sources of employee anxiety during organizational transitions and recognize early signs of disengagement.

2. Apply communication strategies that maintain transparency and trust, even when full information is not yet available.

3. Build a personal framework for leading with confidence during periods of ambiguity or incomplete information.

4. Support employees through change by aligning messaging, expectations, and follow through across teams.

Tammy Decker serves as the Managing Director of HR Services for Higginbotham, where she joined the organization in April 2022. She leads the sales and strategic growth of Higginbotham HR Services, the firm's comprehensive HR and payroll outsourcing solution. With more than 25 years of Human Resources leadership experience, Tammy has built a career helping organizations navigate growth, acquisitions, operational transformation, and complex workforce challenges.

Tammy earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington. She also holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential. Known for her practical leadership style and strategic approach to Human Resources, Tammy is passionate about helping organizations build strong workplaces through innovative HR solutions, operational excellence, and trusted business partnerships.