UNT HR Breakfast

Extensive US and international business expertise as a result of 25+ years of HR and Executive leadership experience with public and privately-held organizations spanning in size from 500 to 50,000 employees. Worked within a variety of successful organizations and industries, including early stage growth companies to businesses with extensive global reach.

Instrumental in creating, defining and cultivating successful and differentiated cultures and employer brands. Due to the sustainable and business-relevant programs championed, the organizations worked with have been recognized for the meaningful contributions made, including numerous best places to work, best places for diversity, best workplace cultures and fasting growing companies, and as a top human resources executive.

Regularly asked to speak to, lead discussions with and consult for professional associations, academic organizations and businesses with respect to HR trends and best practices with a specific focus on culture as a competitive differentiation. Co-authored a best-selling book, Bravely She Flies, Sharing Stories of Resilience. And, co-author of Conscious Culture, Think, Act, Connect to Inspire Uncommon Business Results.

Served on many professional and non-profit boards, including an advisory board member for Southern Methodist University’s CHRO Council focusing on the future of human resources. BA from Scripps College, a MA from Southern Methodist University and completed some PhD studies in Leadership Studies at Dallas Baptist University.

Expertise/specialties include: Culture Champion, Talent Acquisition (Recruiting), Total Rewards Programs (including compensation & benefits), Education & Training, Employee Engagement, Employee & Leadership Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Employee Relations, Talent Management Strategies, HRIS, International HR (US, Canada, Europe, India, Asia and South America), M&A, Board Matters, Talent Assessment, Strategic Planning, Governance/Compliance, and more.

Dr. David Swanagon is Founder of Theorem 46, Chief Editor of Machine Leadership Journal, and filed 4 patents on AI readiness and data optimization. He brings 25+ years of experience leading AI and HR transformations for global organizations including Saudi Aramco, Ericsson, and PPG Industries, with a focus on developing AI leadership and future-ready talent.

Melissa Kruse, MBA is Vice President of Human Resources at Epic Sales Partners with over 20 years of experience specializing in organizational development and transformation. Throughout her career, spanning Fortune 500 and high-growth environments, she has pioneered and architected HR functions from inception, designing the foundational systems, structures, and strategies that enable organizations to scale.

Her work centers on aligning organizational design, culture, and talent strategy with business growth. Melissa approaches AI implementation through an organizational development lens, emphasizing thoughtful adoption, behavior change, decision quality, and responsible integration. She brings practical insight into building modern, future-ready organizations from the ground up.

Rebecca Krauland is an accomplished HR leader with a proven track record of developing creative and compliant solutions that drive organizational success. With a background in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and over a decade of experience in the field, Rebecca excels in streamlining processes, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering inclusive workplaces. Currently serving as the Vice President of HR Solutions, Rebecca leads initiatives aimed at empowering employees and facilitating organizational growth through innovative talent management strategies.

Wes currently leads Project EmpowHR, a transformation initiative reimagining HR in the AI era to make the organization more efficient, responsive, and experience driven.

Over the past decade, Wes has focused on strategic HR initiatives for the global workforce, driving the implementation of innovative, practical solutions across various centers of excellence. He played a pivotal role in multifaceted initiatives, such as the merger integration activities between AT&T and DIRECTV, and the strategic planning and execution of numerous workforce transformation efforts. This includes developing competency-based insights for every role within AT&T. Moreover, Wes led key response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wes embarked on his professional journey as a frontline technician, servicing products spanning from 2.4 kbps to high-capacity fiber rings. He held technical and leadership roles throughout the network organization. For his contributions to the Hurricane Ike recovery effort in Galveston, Wes received the Service Excellence Award. He was one of only 56 leaders across AT&T chosen for the Accelerated Development Program (ADP), a year-long intensive experience aimed at enhancing business acumen and strategic perspective in preparation for future leadership opportunities.

Wes holds an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Engineering, a Bachelor of Technical Management, and a Master of Business Administration.

Wes resides on a working cattle ranch in Bremond, Texas with his wife, Amanda. Their daughter, Makenna, works in Mid-Markets at AT&T, and their son, Hayden, is an IT major at Texas Tech.