Tonia McMillan

Vice President - HR Strategy and Shared Services Amtrak

Tonia C. McMillan is currently the Vice President of HR Strategy and Shared Services for Amtrak. She is an experienced professional “change agent” and lean six sigma greenbelt practitioner. Her professional experience is in finance, healthcare, compliance, risk management, and transportation. Tonia began her professional career working in the banking industry for the nation’s largest credit card company where she held carious fiscal management roles. Tonia obtained her Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science with a minor in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Safety Studies from South University. Tonia then transitioned into the behavioral health field working with those who suffered from substance abuse and mental health disorders. She held positions ranging from clinical to administrator. She then moved into the transportation industry starting her career at Amtrak, specializing in drug and alcohol regulatory compliance. In her current role at Amtrak, she is responsible for developing human resource operational strategy. Tonia resides in Elkton, Maryland with her husband and two teenage children.

Pre-Conference Workshop Day: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

11:00 AM Empower| Cultivating the Future: Upskilling, Utility Players, and the Evolving HRSS Talent Pool

Challenge: HR Shared Services teams are the engine of efficient HR operations, but traditional talent models might not be enough for the future. The need for adaptable, multi-skilled "utility players" is rising.

Solution: This session dives deep into effective strategies for building a robust HRSS talent pipeline. Discover how to upskill your existing workforce, attract new talent with diverse skillsets, and build a future-proof HRSS team.

Learn how to:

·       Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within your HRSS team

·       Explore innovative approaches to identifying and attracting future HRSS talent, including internal mobility programs and partnerships with academic institutions.

·       Identify skill gaps within your HRSS team and implement effective upskilling programs to bridge those gaps.

·       Examine the shift towards versatile HRSS talent equipped to handle a broader range of tasks and responsibilities.

Main Day One: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

4:20 PM Panel | Managing Employee Expectations During HR Transformation

Challenge: Major HR Shared Services transformations, like implementing self-service portals, transitioning from on-premises systems, or aligning policies across mergers and acquisitions, can create significant disruptions for employees. These changes often encounter resistance from employees and leadership accustomed to familiar policies, practices, and systems. 

Solution: Navigate Change with Strategic Employee Management and get equipped with the tools to effectively manage employee expectations during significant HR transformations. 

Key Takeaways:

·       Gain practical tools and strategies for managing employee expectations during HR transformation projects.

·      Develop a clear and effective communication plan for keeping employees informed and engaged.

·      Understand how to tailor engagement efforts to meet the needs of a diverse workforce.

·      Proactively address resistance from employees and leadership.

·      Build a feedback loop to monitor employee sentiment and ensure a successful transition.

·      Learn from the experiences of other organizations through real-world case studies.

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Tonia.

Download The Latest Agenda