Cost:

FWA Members: $30  |  Non-Members: $45

 

Registration closes at 11:59 pm EST on Feb 4, 2026.

 

 

Description: 

 

Mentorship and allyship shape how people grow, feel supported, and advance at work - but what do they actually look like in today’s organizations? In this candid conversation, experienced leaders will share real-world perspectives on how mentorship and allyship are evolving in modern workplaces. They’ll discuss what meaningful guidance and advocacy look like in practice, how support shows up beyond formal programs, and why both mentors and allies are essential for individual and organizational success. The discussion will explore how leaders at every level can be more intentional about supporting others - by opening doors, amplifying voices, offering honest guidance, or creating environments where people feel seen and valued. Attendees will leave with practical insights, relatable examples, and clear takeaways they can apply immediately - whether they’re seeking mentorship, acting as an ally, or working to build cultures where people truly thrive.

 

Speakers: 

Janet A. Hoffmann, Leadership/Team Coach and then Founder, HR Aligned Design

Carolyn D. Richmond, Partner Chair, Hospitality, Fox Rothschild, LLP

Roshin Francis, Director of Finance and Accounting Marriott International 

Laura Schwarz, Executive Coach Founder, i2 Leadership    

(scroll down for bios!)

 

Thank you to March McLennan Agency for their support. 

 

 

Bios:

 

Janet A. Hoffmann is the Founder & President of HR Aligned Design, a global consulting practice in leadership and team development, executive coaching, group facilitation, people and culture strategy.  She has worked with start-up, medium and large organizations across industries such as hospitality, retail, pharma, manufacturing, finance and health care.  With over 25 years of business, leadership and human resources experience, she creates tailored solutions that align leadership performance with business outcomes.  Her workshops blend real-world insight with practical application, helping leaders and teams to build clarity, confidence and capability to thrive in today’s fast changing workplace.

 

Prior to founding HR Aligned Design, Janet was the Chief People Officer at B.R. Guest Hospitality, V.P. of Human Resources and Organizational Development at Morton's - The Steakhouse and Capital Restaurant Concepts.

 

Janet holds her SPHR and SHRM – SCP certifications. She is also an ACE Certified Coach, Global Team Coaching Institute Certified Practitioner in Team Coaching, certified in the Everything DiSC Suite of Assessments, Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team and Benchmark 360 Assessments.  Janet is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), past Co-President of New York City SHRM and past President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers.

 

More information about Janet and consulting services can be found at www.hraligneddesign.com.

 

 

Carolyn D. Richmond is the chair of Fox Rothschild’s Hospitality Practice and former co-chair for the firm’s Labor & Employment Department. Her practice largely consists of representing and counseling employers in and related to the hospitality, retail and financial services industries. Carolyn has extensive experience litigating wage and hour class actions and employment discrimination cases and regularly counsels clients in a variety of workplace issues and crisis management. Widely considered among the nation’s leading hospitality and employment attorneys, Carolyn received the Cornell University - ILR School Judge William B. Groat prize, the school’s highest honor, in 2019. She is particularly known for her practical and creative advice which is based on her previous position as General Counsel to BR Guest Restaurants & James Hotels. Carolyn earned her B.S. degree from Cornell University where she has been appointed to the Cornell University Council, the ILR Dean’s Advisory Council, the Advisory Board for the Cornell Center for Innovative Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations, and is a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women. More recently, she has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Legal Momentum. In addition to all of the above, Carolyn is a founding board member and serves as Labor Counsel to the New York City Hospitality Alliance.        

 

 

Roshin Francis is a seasoned finance and accounting leader with over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She currently serves as Director of Finance and Accounting at Marriott International in New York, where she oversees financial operations and has led multiple high-profile property transitions, ownership changes, and system integrations. Her career includes progressive leadership roles across Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, as well as international experience working in the Maldives. Roshin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from St. Thomas Aquinas College and has been recognized multiple times for leadership excellence.

 

 

Laura Schwarz is an Executive Coach and Founder of i2 Leadership, a coaching and leadership development firm dedicated to helping leaders navigate change, build high-performing teams, and lead with intention.

 

Before founding i2 Leadership in 2009, Laura held leadership roles in Product and Global Marketing at American Express and Young & Rubicam Advertising. This corporate foundation gives her an insider's perspective on the leadership behaviors that accelerate results and the organizational dynamics that can create friction. She understands the unique pressures leaders face and helps them refine their approach, break through systemic roadblocks, and create sustainable shifts in how they lead.

 

Laura's approach blends structure with adaptability. She combines proven frameworks, neuroscience-based practices, and real-world experience to ensure every engagement is practical, relevant, and immediately applicable. Her work is never one-size-fits-all. She tailors her coaching to each leader's context and goals. Laura has worked with leaders across industries, including extensive work in Financial Services, partnering with some of the world's most recognized brands, from American Express to Verizon.

 

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Laura holds certifications as a Leadership Coach (CPCC) and Team Coach (EMCC Global) and is certified in assessments including Myers-Briggs, NBI, and Voices 360. She is a member of The Institute of Coaching at Harvard, TroopHR, and NYC Coaching Collective.