Executive Board
Reba Phillips, SPHR, SHRM-SCP and President, Metro East Illinois - SHRM
Reba is an agile, energetic, results-driven total rewards professional with deep expertise and proven success in the assessment, design, and delivery of optimal solutions to drive winning business results. Possessing complete mastery in all areas of total rewards, she has produced successful solutions in the healthcare, professional services, technology, gaming, federal contracting, and commercial construction industries. Reba is an effective communicator and collaborative business partner, adept at implementing business objectives from design to completion, building functions from the ground up, and cultivating productive partnerships with C-Suite executives, operational leadership, and boards of directors. Reba is currently employed with BJC Healthcare as the Director of Compensation and Benefits.
Education: Bachelors of Music and Piano Performance, Florida State University
Connie Turner, SPHR and Treasurer for Metro East Illinois – SHRM
Connie recently retired from her position as Vice President, Human Resources for Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits, a mutual company uniquely focused on the floral industry. She has graciously agreed to continue her support of the chapter by serving as Treasurer. Connie's expertiese covers all aspects of Human Resources management including talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, performance management, employment related regulatory compliance, staff development and payroll.
Education: BSBA Business Administration, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville with graduate studies in Human Resources Management from Webster University
Dawn Peil, PHR, SHRM-CP and Secretary for Metro East Illinois - SHRM
Dawn is the Midwest Regional Human Resource Business Partner for the Belleville News-Democrat and its parent company, McClatchy. She has developed the Business Partner Role for the BND locally for four years, and also worked as HR Generalist for a therapeutic manufacturing company for 12. Her Human Resource management level of experiences includes command of full cycle recruitment, (ATS Systems) on-boarding, policy development, employee relations, leave of absence administration, training and development, change management, performance management, and benefit administration. Dawn is also engaged in championing Employee Wellness Programs and seeing that the company’s employees are happy, healthy and performing at their best.
Education: Master of Arts: Human Resource Development, Webster University. B.S. Parks and Recreation Western Illinois University.
Pauline Spearing, Vice President, Membership for Metro East Illinois - SHRM
Pauline is an HR professional with over 5 years of global experience mostly working in pharmaceutical and health industry. She is a dynamic HR practitioner with knowledge of corporate and manufacturing environment in mid-size and large international companies.
Her expertise in a broad-spectrum of the HR functions includes recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits, employee and unions relations, training, workers compensation, employee wellness, safety, and performance management. Practicing human resources at the higher levels of the organization, she has developed HR skills with transformational leadership, change management, intercultural communication, strategic HR practices and team building.
She holds two master’s degrees, in Labor Law and in Human Resources Management and Corporate Social Responsibility as well as an associate degree in Business Ethics. She has also achieved the designation of SHRM-CP.
Pauline is currently the HR Manager at Salt and Smoke, located in St. Louis, MO.
In addition to her work, she has been coaching and mentoring long-term unemployed individuals and participate actively on volunteering activities for her community.
Education: Master’s degree in Labor Law, Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Corporate Social Responsibility, Associate degree in Business Ethics.
Simone Shelton, SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Vice President, College Relations for Metro East Illinois - SHRM
Simone is the HR Manager for Branding Iron Holdings, Inc., the leading ground beef patty producer in the country. She is responsible for recruitment, employee relations, and HR Compliance. Simone has over 18 years of experience in both private and public sector human resources.
Education: Master’s degree in Human Resources from Webster University, and Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Kansas.
Jean Wopat, SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Vice President, Programming and Social Media for Metro East Illinois - SHRM
Jean is the Human Resources Director for the Edwardsville YMCA. She has an extensive background in employee recruitment and retention, staff development, change management, mediation, conflict resolution, benefits and compensation, records management, policy development and legal compliance. Jean has many years of human resources experience in the non-profit and corporate employment sector. Prior to the Y, Jean worked for several years in the staffing industry for Kelly Services, Inc., in a variety of management and operational roles.
Education: M.A.in Human Resources Management from Washington University, and B.S in Forest Science from the University of Illinois.
Laura Miller, PHR, SHRM-CP and Past-President for Metro East Illinois – SHRM (Also serving as SHRM Membership Director for ILSHRM)
Laura Miller is currently a Sr. HR Client Consultant with Ameren, the largest public utility in Missouri and second largest in the state of Illinois. She is responsible for internal investigations, HR compliance, and corporate initiatives. Prior to her role at Ameren Laura worked as an HR Manager in the trucking and catering industries. She also performed college recruiting for Disney. Laura holds a bachelor's degree from SIU and a master's degree from Webster University. She is also certified as a SHRM-CP and PHR.
Laura was the founding president of MEI-SHRM, Metro East Illinois-SHRM and is currently the Director of Membership for Illinois SHRM.
In her time off Laura works as a group fitness instructor at Gold's Gym, the McKendree Metro Rec Plex, and SkyZone. She is certified to teach Les Mills BodyCombat, Les Mills BodyFlow, Les Mills BodyPump, Les Mills GRIT, Pound Fitness, and Cycling. Laura also sings soprano in her local church choir.
Laura has resides in Lebanon with her husband Nick, her son Maxwell, and their four adopted animals.
www.linkedin.com/in/laurakoellingmiller
