November is known for gratitude… but what if we also gave thanks for what ended?

Join us for a meaningful discussion to understand why endings are not empty.

They are full—full of lessons, redirection, clarity, and the seeds of what comes next.

MEET THE SPEAKER

Monica Guillory, SPHR, CSP, EQ-i

HR, People & Culture Executive | Founder, Back Pocket Wisdom

Monica Guillory is the Founder & CEO of Back Pocket Wisdom Consulting, where she brings more than 25 years of HR, People Operations, and Culture leadership experience to helping organizations and their people grow, evolve, and thrive. Having served in executive leadership roles, including SVP of HR, People & Culture, Monica's experience spans Fortune 500 companies, national staffing firms, and private equity-backed businesses. Today, she partners with small and midsize, high-growth organizations as a Fractional CHRO, strategic HR advisor, executive coach, and consultant, bringing big-company expertise with practical, right-sized solutions. Her work includes strengthening HR processes and operations, developing leaders and teams, navigating mergers and acquisitions, leadership and talent assessments, guiding organizational transformations, and building people strategies that develop leadership ability, growth capacity, culture, compliance, and business results. Monica is especially known for building trust, connecting the dots between people and performance, and turning complex challenges into practical solutions leaders can actually execute.

A board director, speaker, and 2026 recipient of IL Search and Staffing’s Leadership and Spirit Award, Monica brings energy, experience, ethics, and expertise to every engagement. At her core, Monica believes that great leadership is about helping people recognize their potential, own their growth, and create personal and business success. She's passionate about helping business leaders see clearly and act decisively when it comes to their people—because that's where strategy either accelerates or stalls. 

Connect or work with Monica: www.backpocketwisdom.net

linkedin.com/in/monicaguillory   |   Monica@backpocketwisdom.net

Join us for the most festive event of the year! Ring in the season with holiday fun, prize raffles, friendly competition, and trivia that puts your team to the test!

ISSA Annual Meeting and Holiday Party

Thursday, December 3, 2026

Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse at the Westin, Lombard IL

4:00PM - 7:00PM

Agenda

3:45PM - Check-in begins

4:00PM - ISSA Annual Meeting and Election of 2027 Board

4:30PM - 6:00PM - Holiday and Recruiting Trivia hosted by Whaddyaknow?

6:00PM - 7:00PM - Networking, food and beverage (included in admission)

Cost to attend: Members $25, Nonmembers $50

Please join us in supporting a local charity this holiday season. 

The Humanitarian Service Project in Carol Stream, IL serves the elderly, children and families living in poverty.  

Bring a new, unwrapped item to the event and receive an extra ticket for the prize raffle!

Artificial intelligence is changing the rules of negotiation. Are leaders ready?

As AI increasingly influences hiring decisions, compensation strategies, talent acquisition, and business relationships, the art of negotiation is entering a new era. For staffing industry leaders, understanding how to balance human judgment with AI-driven insights is no longer optional. It is becoming a critical competitive advantage.

Join Emilia Linardakis, MBA, global leadership strategist and Managing Partner of Language Advisors Network Group, for an engaging exploration of how artificial intelligence is reshaping negotiation dynamics and what leaders must do to stay ahead.

This thought-provoking session will explore how AI influences decision-making, the opportunities and risks of algorithm-driven negotiations, and why emotional intelligence, trust, cultural awareness, and strategic communication remain irreplaceable human advantages.

Discover how to leverage AI without losing the human connection that drives successful negotiations, stronger partnerships, and lasting business relationships.

The future of negotiation isn't human versus AI. It's knowing how to lead when both share the table.

January 28, 2027 - 1PM CST

ISSA Members Free / Nonmembers $39

MEET THE SPEAKER

Emilia Linardakis is a global leadership strategist, international business professor, and speaker with more than 25 years of experience in leadership development, global negotiations, organizational effectiveness, and cross-cultural communication.

As Managing Partner and Chief Learning Strategist of Language Advisors Network Group, she works with organizations across the public and private sectors to strengthen leadership capabilities, navigate complex workplace dynamics, and develop strategies for success in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.

Drawing on her extensive international experience and academic background in Global Negotiations, International Business, and Organizational Development, Emilia brings a unique perspective to the intersection of human behavior, technology, and strategic decision-making.

Her engaging and thought-provoking presentations challenge leaders to rethink conventional approaches, embrace emerging opportunities, and develop the human skills essential for leading in an AI-driven world.