Our meetings are always free to attend. WRIPAC Meetings combine informative guest speaker presentations or panel discussions, a collaborative round-table discussion, and committee sessions to support the work of WRIPAC in service to the Public Sector HR Community.
Meeting Presentations:
Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders at Every Level: A New Approach to Workplace Learning & Development - Kisha Russell, Principal Professional & Organizational Development Analyst - Contra Costa County
What does it take to build a high-impact professional development program from the ground up? Join La Kisha Russell for an interactive deep dive into how Contra Costa County transformed leadership coaching, team development, and all-county learning initiatives to drive innovation and workplace culture. Learn how to implement bold, customized strategies that break silos, engage employees, and create lasting organizational change. If you're ready to move beyond “the way we’ve always done it” and build a thriving, future-ready workforce, this session is for you!
Skill-Based Hiring in the Public Sector: Weighing the Pros and Cons - Christine Cruz, Senior Compensation & Classification Analyst and Ralonda Green, Talent Acquisition Manager, City of North Las Vegas
As the public sector faces evolving workforce challenges, skill-based hiring has emerged as a potential solution to attract and retain top talent. In this session, we will examine some of the benefits and disadvantages associated with implementing skill-based hiring for public sector positions. Participants may discover how this strategy can enhance aligning candidates with job needs, increase workforce diversity, and expedite hiring processes. In order to illustrate how biases can be created from reviewing resumes during the interview process, we will provide a case scenario in which we will conduct a mock interview with two candidates—one with traditional educational qualifications and the other with non-traditional skill-based learning qualifications. We will also examine potential challenges from both the recruitment and compensation point of views, including legal considerations, evaluation complexities, and potential implications for conventional recruiting practices. Join us for a balanced discussion on whether skill-based hiring is the right fit for your organization.
Up Your Team Communication Game - Tina Pruett, Human Resources Manager, City of Pleasanton
Effective communication is the cornerstone of high-performing teams—but how often do we actively practice and refine these skills? In this highly interactive session, you won’t just talk about communication—you’ll experience it firsthand! Engage in two dynamic, team-based activities designed to highlight the challenges and opportunities in workplace communication. Through hands-on participation and guided debriefs, you’ll uncover key takeaways to enhance collaboration, clarity, and trust within your teams.
Best of all, you’ll leave with detailed facilitator instructions, empowering you to bring these engaging exercises back to your own organization. Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or team member looking to boost workplace communication, this session will provide practical tools you can implement immediately. Get ready to up your team communication game!
Full Meeting Agenda: Coming Soon!
Optional Pre-Meeting Training: Developing & Administering Structured Interviews
Hotel Reservations:
Make your room reservation now! The special rate for this meeting is $199/night. Parking fees are waived! A limited number of rooms are reserved at this rate. To secure your room please use the link below.
Dream Inn - Santa Cruz
The group rate is valid until April 21, 2025, or until rooms are sold out so do not delay. Prevailing rates may apply when rooms are sold out and are subject to availability.
Dr. WRIPAC:
Dr. WRIPAC is a professional networking event that allows our members and guests to socialize and get to know one another outside of the meeting. We hope that you will be able to join us for some after-hour socializing and networking.
