Hi,

If you’ve been part of this community for a while, you may know bits of my story, like growing up in Kenya and moving to the U.S. just shy of my 14th birthday. But what I haven’t shared is that I became a U.S. citizen ten years later, right before my green card was set to expire. One of the happiest moments of my life was passing the naturalization interview and tests 10 years later, and then receiving my U.S. passport shortly thereafter. That little booklet made me feel like the world had opened up, and for the first time, I truly could travel anywhere in the world.

I’m sharing this now because stories like mine are now under threat. You may not expect someone you work with every day, someone who feels familiar, to have started their journey like I did. Someone whose story doesn’t match the headlines or the assumptions. But I did. And so have many others.

HR leaders already lead with empathy. It’s in your DNA. This is especially key during times like these, when some employees (or their families) may be carrying a quiet fear or uncertainty tied to immigration policies and public rhetoric.

If this gives anyone reading a little more perspective, or makes space for a bit more compassion toward a colleague, a friend, or even a stranger, thank you.

Let’s keep leading with heart.

Leah ❤️

In Case You Missed It: How HR Can Lead AI Implementation

We kicked off our Summer Lunch & Learn Series with an incredible session featuring Jason Averbook and Crystal Taylor. This was a conversation about a real-life case study of how HR can lead the charge when it comes to rolling out AI across an organization.

Crystal walked us through how CPM Federal Credit Union approached their AI journey- from writing internal policies and piloting Copilot to supporting employees through change. Jason helped us zoom out, connecting the dots on what every HR team needs to think about as AI adoption accelerates.

If you missed it, you can catch the full replay right here:
📺 Watch the recording
📌 It’s also available on our our YouTube channel, where we’ll be sharing more sessions throughout the summer.

💡 Open Enrollment Season is Around The Corner

Open Enrollment is one of the most high-pressure times of year for HR and Benefits teams. Too often, it turns into a scramble- last minute updates, unclear roles and responsibilities, and rushed or incomplete testing. The result? Frustration, enrollment errors, and billing issues that spill over into the new year.

To help you avoid all that this year, we’ve created the OE Readiness Series, a dedicated landing page where you’ll find tools, resources, and upcoming events to help you feel more confident and in control this season.

Here’s what’s inside:

📅 Join Us Live – July 30th, 2:00 PM EST
Register for the OE Masterclass
Join us for a live, invite-only workshop focused on strengthening your OE strategy, streamlining vendor coordination, and avoiding common pitfalls before they cause issues. This is an invite-only session for those leading OE within HR, Benefits, or HRIS teams.

I’ll be joined by Holly Larson, HR Tech Consultant and Leader at USI Insurance Services, known for helping HR teams cut through the noise to find the right-fit technology for their unique needs, and Julie Fink, President of Bentek, a benefits enrollment platform intentionally built for public-sector and municipal organizations.

✅ Explore: Optimizing Open Enrollment: Strategies for Success
A quick-read blog that walks through how to plan ahead, avoid January headaches, and keep your OE process running smoothly.

📣 Your Turn: Tell Me Your OE Wins
What worked well last year? What surprised you? I’m collecting real stories (with permission!) to share in an upcoming post. Hit reply to this newsletter, I’d love to hear yours.

🧰 Bonus Tools
✔ OE Readiness Checklist
✔ 2-Minute System Fit Assessment
✔ Free 30-Minute Consult for Teams Who Need a Quick Reset
✔ Additional Blog Reading & Resources

➡️ Visit the OE Readiness Series Page to join the Masterclass and access all the tools.

HCM TECH HAPPENINGS

_{What WBENC Reminded Me}

I just came back from WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council)’s annual conference. That same spirit of belonging, of being seen, showed up again. It wasn’t just about business. I enjoyed connecting with other women, as builders, and as humans.

At one point, I met a new friend, an immigrant from Malaysia. We talked about the gift of being able to work and raise our children with dignity. That connection? It meant more than any conversation about strategy or revenue. It was about being human, which, at the end of the day, is what truly matters.

And honestly, that’s what WBENC reminded me of again:

• That when women are vulnerable with each other, we grow faster together.

• That no one has it all figured out- we’re all still learning.

• That ideas are sparked when we simply listen to how others are doing it.

• That people are more generous than we often give them credit for.

• And that yes, sometimes staying up past midnight and making it to 8:00 a.m. sessions is part of what keeps us alive and connected.

Here’s a look at some moments we captured in NOLA!

OE-Ready Workshop: Let’s Talk Strategy (Before the Fire Drills Start)

Open Enrollment can sneak up fast—but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. This month, I’m teaming up with Holly Larson (HR Tech Consultant and Leader at USI Insurance Services) and Julie Fink (President of Bentek) for a live, invite-only workshop designed for HR, Benefits, and Payroll leaders who want to get ahead of OE season with a plan that actually works.

We’ll walk through:

• What your OE timeline should look like—and how to stay ahead of vendor and system deadlines

• Key steps to align your broker, carriers, and tech teams for a smoother rollout

• Simple ways to avoid the most common OE mistakes (before they snowball)

🗓️ Date: July 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET
📝 Request an Invite

This session is part of our Open Enrollment Readiness Series, an initiative to help HR teams lead OE with clarity and confidence.
Space is limited and attendance is subject to approval.

Past Webinars

Here to help!

 At HCM Tech Advisory, we’re more than just HR and technology consultants - we’re business partners dedicated to helping leaders solve complex problems through the lens of our deep HR and technology expertise. Whether you're navigating the intricate process of selecting the right HR tech vendor, implementing a new system, or refining your benefits administration, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

We are committed to helping you build a successful, sustainable business. We tailor our approach to ensure that the solutions you choose align with your long-term organizational goals and culture. With HCM Tech Advisory by your side, you can confidently address your most pressing challenges and make decisions that will drive success across your entire HR landscape. Let’s work together to find the best solutions that empower your organization to thrive .

Want to explore what partnering with us could look like? Let’s connect »

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