WASPA 2026 Spring HR Support Conference
Register Here
April 7th & 8th, 2026
Heidel House in Green Lake, WI
We kick off WASPA Fall Conference Week with a two-day conference for HR Support Professionals. This conference concentrates on practical HR knowledge that applies to day-to-day HR work. Any vendors interested in attending the fall conference must be active WASPA Business Affiliates and sponsor the event. For sponsorship inquiries please contact [email protected]
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, April 7th
7:15 am - 8:00 am | Breakfast & Registration
8:00 am - 8:15 am | Welcome & Introductions, WASPA Resources
8:15 am - 9:45 am | Keynote
Speaker: Nels Ross, The UP Guys
Session Description:
Join Nels Ross for a fun, engaging, and uplifting keynote! Topics will range from Change and Stress Management to Wellness and Growth.
 Ross is "The (Original) UP Guy" – speaker, entertainer, and co-founder of The UP Guys and UP Team LLC. He works solo and with others to uplift and empower at special events. His background includes degrees in math and education, touring with a nonprofit circus, working across the U.S. and abroad, and sharing keys to wellness, growth, and "juggling" life.
9:45 am - 10:00 am | BREAK
10:00 am - 11:30 am | Legal Hot Topics
 Session Speaker: Shana Lewis, Shareholder and Attorney - Renning, Lewis, & Lacy. Bennett Thering, Attorney - Renning, Lewis & Lacy
Session Description:
WASPA is excited to welcome back Shana Lewis from WASPA Legal Partner, Renning, Lewis, & Lacy. Shana has extensive experience in Wisconsin School Law, including family and medical leave, employment contracts and more! Also joining will be Bennett Therring, a new RLL attorney with a passion for public education and school law!
11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Lunch
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm | Leave & Absence Management
 Session Speaker: Hannah Chin, Whitefish Bay School District. Leah Klaybor, Wauwatosa School District.
Session Description: Join Hannah Chin and Leah Klaybor, Directors of Human Resources, for a session that weighs Leave & Absence Management. From Non-FMLA to Sick Leave vs PTO, join Hannah and Leah for this informational session!
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm | Efficiency with AI Tools
Session Speakers: Brian Yearling, Kristin Brouchoud, & Brianna Beadle, School District of Waukesha IT Team
Session Description:
Bring a device and open the world of AI to help you to become more productive, efficient, and creative! This session will guide you through how AI works, tips on how to get the most out of AI and getting comfortable with Gemini Gems and more.
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm | BREAK
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm | World Cafe
Session Speakers: WASPA Conference Planners - Candace Blakeslee & Marj Moy
Session Description: The World Cafe is a dynamic session where HR takes center stage as the true workplace superhero. In this fast-paced, interactive format, you’ll rotate through themed tables covering today’s most critical HR topics including Record Retention, Benefits, Business & HR Communication Styles and Org Structures, Support Staff Platforms, and more!
3:45 pm - 4:00 pm | Conclusion Day 1
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm | Networking Social
Wednesday, April 8th
7:00 am - 8:00 am | Breakfast & Registration
8:00 am - 9:15 am | HR Considerations (ADA, Leaves/Time Off)
 Session Speaker: Mark Brault, Acrisure Insurance
Session Description: Mark Brault is a Compliance Advisor and Benefits Attorney at HNI, often speaking at schools and businesses. Join mark as he covers a variety of topics!
9:15 am - 10:00 am | Building a Pipeline
Session Speaker: Emily Gilles, Eau Claire Area School District
Session Description: Emily is an HR Generalist from ECASD, presenting on strategies and Best Practices for Teacher Programs! Explore innovative strategies for strengthening the teacher pipeline through university partnerships, intentional succession planning, and creative approaches to recruitment and development
10:00 am - 10:30 am | BREAK & Check Out
10:30 am - 11:15 am | DPI Updates
Session Speaker: Ariana Baker & Julie Hagen, DPI
Session Description: Stay informed and connected with the latest developments from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Bureau of Educator Licensing. This session will provide timely updates on educator licensing and statewide initiatives impacting schools and districts and WISE Staff reporting updates
11:15 am - 12:00 pm | Responding to Open Records Requests
 Session Speaker: Sandy Stefczak, WASPA President, CESA 1. Jen Sielaff, WASPA Communications Committee, School District of South Milwaukee
Session Description: 
This session will empower you to to identify, triage, and support the processing of records requests.
12:00 pm - 12:15 pm | Conference Conclusion and Door Prize Drawings
|
