Mike Cramer
Shareholder
Ogletree Deakins

Mike Cramer is a shareholder in the Chicago office of Ogletree Deakins, a law firm with 60 offices in North America and Europe dedicated to advising and representing employers in employment-related matters. 

Mike devotes much of his practice to advising companies on issues related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and conducting workplace investigations. Additionally, Mike often conducts training for executives, HR professionals, and entire workforces, on topics including productive and inclusive leadership, anti-harassment, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, workplace investigations, and proactive performance management. He also frequently conducts 1-on-1 sessions with executives regarding appropriate workplace conduct. 

Mike has also litigated numerous cases involving allegations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Based on peer surveys, Mike repeatedly has been named among the Best Lawyers in America and designated an Illinois Super Lawyer. 

When not assisting clients, Mike enjoys traveling, spending time with his family and friends, experiencing live music, and bicycling on Chicago’s lakefront. He has also written and directed two award-winning independent movies.

Kyle Cochran
Chief Operating Officer
Vista Safety Consulting, LLC

Kyle Cochran has over 18 years of experience working in multiple areas of manufacturing, construction, insurance and service industries. Kyle’s primary objective with his clients is to ensure that safety and production work together, and risk and safety are addressed as one. As the Chief Operating Officer and EOS Integrator at Vista Safety Consulting, he oversees the operations of the company and manages the business using the Entrepreneurial Operating System in the capacity of EOS Integrator. 

Before joining Vista Safety Consulting, Kyle worked in the insurance industry as a loss control specialist and consultant, on both the agency and insurance carrier sides. Prior to that, Kyle worked as a safety supervisor for a large manufacturer in Northern Illinois, and also as a consultant, working with various contractors in the heavy construction and contracting industries across the United States. 

Kyle is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Greater Chicago Chapter. Kyle graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Safety Management.

Stephanie Dorning, JD
Employment Law Counsel
HR Source

Stephanie’s interest in employment law began when she joined the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. In more than nine years with the department, she acted as lead investigator in over 120 investigations and helped employers across northern Illinois come into compliance with laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Davis Bacon Act, and more. Stephanie uses her first-hand agency experience to help employers navigate complicated legal issues and avoid potential violations.

Kelly Hayden, JD
Chief Legal Counsel
HR Source

Kelly Hayden is Chief Legal Counsel for HR Source, a professional organization providing human resource solutions for member organizations for more than 100 years. In her role, Kelly provides representation to employers before the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Labor, the US Department of Labor and other state and federal agencies. She also assists employers with hiring, discipline, and termination procedures; preparation of employment agreements; and the drafting and reviewing of employment policies and handbooks. She provides employment law compliance training for managers, supervisors, and HR professionals covering many topics including harassment, discipline and discharge, the FMLA, ADA, social media, employee handbooks, interviewing and hiring and drug and alcohol testing. As a representative of HR Source, Kelly frequently lectures to professional organizations on numerous employment law topics and contributes to the association’s website and has authored articles in numerous trade journals.

Kelly has a J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and a B.A. in English and psychology, also from Indiana University. Kelly is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois and before the Northern District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.  Kelly came to the Association from a large Chicago law firm where she practiced for nine years defending employers in employment discrimination trials. Kelly is a member of the American Bar Association and its Section on Labor and Employment Law. Kelly has also served as a fire commissioner for the Village of Frankfort Fire Protection District for more than 10 years.

Chris Jones
Managing Director & Vice President of Sales, North Central Region
OneDigital

Chris Jones is the Managing Director & Vice President of Sales for the North Central Region at One Digital, where he leads a dynamic, client-focused team dedicated to delivering exceptional service and innovative insurance solutions. With over 17 years of specialized experience in property and casualty insurance, Chris has built a distinguished career centered on client retention, service excellence, and strategic partnership. Known for his hands-on approach to leadership and problem-solving, Chris is committed to understanding each client’s unique needs and crafting value-driven insurance solutions that provide meaningful protection and peace of mind. His Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation underscores his expertise and dedication to professional growth within the industry. Chris’s reputation is built on his unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, his ability to foster long-term relationships, and his drive to exceed expectations at every turn. He is passionate about mentoring his team, encouraging a culture of collaboration, and ensuring that every client receives personalized attention and support.

Outside of his professional life, Chris enjoys traveling, spending quality time with his family, and exploring the outdoors with his 7-year-old daughter. These personal interests reflect his belief in balance, adventure, and the importance of meaningful connections – values that also guide his approach to business and leadership

Mary Petersen, SPHR
HR Partner
HR Source

With a focus on recruiting, Mary has more than 12 years of experience in HR including HR Project Manager, HR Manager, and Compensation Analyst. Mary received both her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and her Master’s in Human Resources from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In her free time Mary enjoys staying active, spending time with her two kids, and anything and everything outdoors.

Cathy Peterson, PHR, CSMR
Recruiting Manager
HR Source

Twenty years of talent search experience has made Cathy the expert in not only finding that ‘needle in a haystack’ candidate but also implementing recruiting strategies that work. From designing internship programs, getting creative on recruiting sources to positively presenting an organization's offerings, Cathy makes recruiting a non-stressful process. Have a stalled talent search? Cathy brings difficult searches across the finish line.

Geeta M. Shah
Of Counsel
Ogletree Deakins

Geeta Shah practices immigration law in the Chicago office of Ogletree Deakins. She has extensive experience providing strategic counsel to both corporate and individual clients on both employment-based and family-based matters including non-immigrant and immigrant visa matters including H-1Bs, TNs, E-3s, L-1s, O-1s, PERM, EB-1s, P-1s, and Adjustment of Status. Geeta has represented clients across the board including large companies in industries such as tech, insurance, commercial oil and gas, and consulting. She also has experience working with small businesses in various industries, and with individual clients. Geeta also frequently handles pro bono matters including DACA, VAWA, N-400s, and waivers. She participates in various American Immigration Lawyers Association Committees on both national and local levels. She is proficient in Gujarati and Hindi.

Sonal Shah, JD
Assistant Director, Employment Law Services
HR Source

Sonal Shah is Assistant Director of Employment Law Services for HR Source, a professional organization providing human resource solutions for member organizations for more than 100 years. As part of her practice, Sonal has represented employers against wrongful discharge and discrimination claims in front of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Sonal also has significant experience counseling employers on properly complying with the law and managing their workforce; preparing employment and severance agreements; drafting/revising disciplinary and termination notices; and crafting employment policies and handbooks. In addition, she provides employment law compliance training for managers, supervisors and HR professionals. Sonal also contributes to the Association’s monthly newsletter and website.

Sonal came to HR Source from a large Chicago law firm where she represented public and private employers, from the smallest private companies to corporations exceeding 10,000 employees, on a broad range of labor and employment law matters arising under federal and state law.

Sonal has a B.S. in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.

Allison Sues, JD
Senior Employment Law Counsel
HR Source

Allison works with employers to proactively ensure compliance with the law, including revising employee handbooks and policies and counseling employers on legal or management questions. She is a member of the HR Source Hotline. As part of her practice, she also represents employers against charges of discrimination at the EEOC, IDHR, and other administrative agencies. She also conducts in-depth investigations into claims of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Prior to coming to HR Source, she was in private practice and litigated employment matters in state and federal court, giving her great insight into important ways that employers can best navigate complex personnel matters and protect themselves against legal liability.

Teresa Surdyk, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
HR Partner
HR Source

Whether you're looking for that “diamond” in the applicant landscape or in need a little Human Resources on-site support, Teresa is a versatile team player that can juggle many priorities! Rich with a great attitude and experience, Teresa is always ready to support your organization’s mission, whatever it may be.

Jackie Throop, SPHR
Director, Outsourced HR & Recruiting Services
HR Source

Jackie has a long history with HR Source. As a staff member from 1996 – 2002, she focused on HR training and started Interim HR, now known as Outsourced HR and Recruiting Services. She then spent many years with a member company focusing on Human Resources, Employee Benefits and HRIS. Jackie returned to HR Source in 2020 and now leads the Outsourced HR and Recruiting team. 

In this role, she works as a matchmaker, connecting her team of experienced HR Professionals to help manage members’ HR needs. This requires actively engaging with the member to identify what help they need. These needs include recruiting, day-to-day HR support, and sometimes even the most challenging of HR projects. Additionally, Jackie stays on top of the latest HR and labor trends and regularly shares her knowledge as a speaker for various associations and HR groups.