May 1, 2026 
Upcoming Meeting
May 20: HR’s Role in Coaching and Development
Presented by
Tasha Lafevre
Vice President of Development
Catapult Executive Consulting
This session will equip HR professionals with the mindsets and core coaching capabilities needed to foster growth across their organizations. Learn how to use conversation, curiosity, and strategic development practices to elevate leader effectiveness, strengthen trust, and build a culture where people continuously grow and perform at their best.
Event schedule:
4:00 p.m. Registration and Refreshments
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Presentation
BNHRA is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. This program is valid for 1.5 PDC for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.
This program has been pre-approved for 1.5 business recertification credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)
Thank you to our event sponsor: Child Care Resource Network
There are 2 programs CCRN is currently promoting with the business community and HR professionals: the Empire State Child Care Share pilot program and the Business Navigator Toolkit.
May 27 Spring into Networking
Join your HR colleagues this Spring for an opportunity to network and check out an incredible venue on Hertel Ave.
About Cafe Bewilderment...
A hidden gem nestled inside of The Monocle on Hertel Avenue, where nature’s magic meets the warmth of community.
Step into our ethereal escape, a queer-owned haven inspired by the beauty of the forest and the spirit of belonging. Savor the artistry of locally sourced dishes, sip on handcrafted cocktails, and lose yourself in the cozy, inclusive vibe.
Members $25 | Future Members $35
cast your vote! Equity in Action Leadership Forum and DEIA Awards
At BNHRA, our commitment is to advance workplaces and strengthen communities — and through that commitment, the Diversity Committee is proud to host:
The Equity in Action Leadership Forum
🗳️ Cast your vote and help us recognize leaders making real impact
📅 Save the Date
Equity in Action Leadership Forum
Advancing Workplaces. Strengthening Communities.
Featuring DEIA Awards
📍 Northland Training Center
📅 October 22, 2026
🕣 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
ask the attorney!
BNHRA is teaming up with Kinsey O'Brien, partner at Hodgson Russ, LLP. Kinsey is an attorney in the Labor & Employment Practice and has kindly agreed to contribute to our Substack with answers to your HR questions. We are collecting questions from BNHRA members via a Google form, to be reviewed and compiled for Kinsey to respond.
mAY 13 SHRM NYC Webinar: Workplace Investigations That Work: Strategies for Getting It Right
This presentation will equip you with the essential tools for conducting thorough and effective workplace investigations.
new SHRM series:HR Pathways & Perspectives
May 21, 2026: Total Rewards
Aug 19, 2026: Ask Me Anything with HR Leaders
Free virtual sessions. All are welcome!
Now is the time to submit your nomination for the Business Ethics Award!
Sept 28-30 SHRM New York State Annual Conference 2026
For the first time in 13 years, the SHRM New York State Conference will be held in Buffalo!
Register by 03/31/26 and SAVE!
Looking to be a sponsor? Check out this year's sponsor guide and send us a message to learn more about 2026 options!
DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT:
Andrea Harden
Director of Talent & Culture
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Andrea Griffa Harden, SPHR – Director of Talent & Culture, Buffalo AKG Art Museum
BNHRA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee highlights an HR or business leader from the Buffalo Niagara region whose organization is championing equity, belonging, and inclusion in the workplace.
HR Mentors Needed!
You probably have had a mentor (maybe even more than one!) in your career. If you have, you know what even one hour a month of advice and support from an expert can do. Think about how much that has shaped your success, and how much you could impact the success of someone else going into HR.
SHRM and SHRM Foundation are looking for dedicated HR professionals who have a passion for helping the next generation of HR leaders excel and succeed as they prepare to launch a career in HR. We are looking for mentors to work one-on-one with a SHRM student member for approximately 1 hour a month for three months. The maximum time commitment is four to eight hours (over the course of three months) and you could earn 3 PDCs!
Mentorship is a key way you can support the next generation of HR professionals and help them thrive.
certification prep
SHRM NYS Certification Preparation Program 2026
Oct 3 - Dec 12, 2026
SHRM New York State is offering a virtual certification preparation course. The facilitator, Matt Burr, will lead participants through 11 weeks of material to prepare students to take the SHRM Certification Exam.
The class will meet on Saturdays from 9am-12pm EST between October 3, 2026 - December 12, 2026. The cost for the course is $1,000 per person and the class can accommodate 15 students.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Matthew Burr at [email protected]
To access, simply log in as a member. Not a member yet? Learn more about joining here or reach out to our Membership Director at [email protected]
DAEMEN OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BNHRA MEMBERS!
Daemen University is offering BNHRA Members a Discount on select Graduate programs! Please click HERE to learn more!
Legal Update: Phillips Lytle LLP Alert for BNHRA Members: Labor & Employment
U.S. Department of Labor Unveils Joint Employer Rule Proposal
Written By: James R. O’Connor,
Four Factors Establish Joint Employer Control
On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, (DOL) announced a proposed rule that, if finalized, would revise the standard for joint employer status under three federal wage and hour laws: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA). This structure mirrors the DOL’s plan for its independent contractor rule, as we previously reported. Continue reading here
Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association - Articles
Read past Legal Update articles HERE
Corporate Membership Spotlight
Selective Staffing Solutions is a full-service WBE Certified Woman-Owned staffing and talent acquisition firm located in Williamsville, NY. We specialize in uniting top local talent with the companies who need them to drive their business forward. We work across all industries with small to large businesses in the Western New York area. Read more
Did you Know?
- Get Involved and Give Back! Junior Achievement WNY Volunteer Opportunities
- Sponsorship packages available for our monthly events! Check out bnhra.org/sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
Are you looking for more ways to get involved in the BNHRA and reach out to the BNHRA Community? The BNHRA offers a variety of ways to become a sponsor:
Website Sponsorships:
- Website Logo Sponsorship
- BNHRA Home Page Sponsorship
- Career Center Page Sponsorship
- Sponsorship of an Individual Website Page
Program Sponsorships:
- Program Featured Sponsor
- General Meeting Sponsor
- Vendor Table
- Sponsorship of Dessert and Coffee at a Dinner Meeting
- Sponsorship of Social/Networking Event
Learn more about the Sponsorship Options here!
In Transition Memberships
Do you know of fellow HR professionals who are currently in between jobs? If so, please let them know BNHRA offers a NO cost In Transition membership package that includes our Goodwill Fund, sponsored by StaffBuffalo & HRBuffalo!
In-transition Committee
The In-transition Committee connects BNHRA members that are currently in-transition and also those seeking a new employment opportunity with one another, as well as services in the community such as training, career coaching, and networking. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Cathy Lanzalaco at [email protected]
Helpful Resources
Check out our updated In-Transition page HERE
If you are a current SHRM member who is in a job transition, you may request a 3 to 6 month membership extension by emailing [email protected] within 30 days prior to your membership expiration date.
Other Professional Events
Other Professional Events - be sure to check out this page for many exciting events in WNY!
Job Postings!
Do you have an HR Position that you would like to share with the BNHRA Community? BNHRA Members can post HR jobs for FREE! Learn more here!