Where HR Practitioners Come to Learn, Share, and Grow!

Upcoming events

    • October 07, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom (link will be provided in registration confirmation)
    Register


    Neurodiversity offers a transformative lens on the natural variations in human cognition, communication, and performance. As organizations increasingly recognize that cognitive diversity is far more common than previously assumed, building neuroinclusive systems has become essential to maximizing organizational effectiveness and employee potential.

    Across various industries, leading private sector organizations have embraced this shift by designing and adopting innovative HR practices. These strategies proactively open doors to neurodivergent candidates and establish the ongoing support systems necessary for employees to excel.

    Workplace universal design is the practice of creating environments, processes, and tools that are accessible, usable, and intuitive for everyone by default—eliminating the friction of reactive, specialized adaptations. Just as physical curb cuts originally designed for wheelchair users ultimately benefited parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and delivery workers, proactive workplace design creates scalable solutions that empower every employee to thrive.

    This session explores the intersection of universal design, neuroinclusion, and modern workplace performance. Participants will learn about practical neuroinclusion strategies currently adopted by pioneering employers. Attendees will discover actionable HR frameworks, learn how to transition from retrofitted accommodations to universal design, and understand how embracing cognitive diversity fundamentally elevates organizational culture.

    Participants will learn:

    • What neurodiversity is and how it is demonstrated in the workplace
    • The concept of neuroinclusive HR practices and why it matters
    • The universal design approach to disabilities and special accommodations
    • How neurodiversity can change workplace

    About our Presenter:

    Urszula Kakar, PhD, is a visionary, people-centric HR professional and I/O psychologist with extensive experience developing strategies that modernize Human Resources practices. Her work combines emerging technologies, data-driven insights, and scientific principles to improve organizational effectiveness while advancing fair and equitable workplace practices.

    Passionate about employee engagement, psychological safety, and inclusive workplaces, Urszula is particularly interested in the intersection of universal design and neuroinclusion. She recently earned a certificate in Neurodivergent Coaching and is exploring practical approaches organizations can use to create workplace systems, processes, and environments that support a broader range of cognitive styles and enable employees to thrive.

    An active member of multiple professional organizations, Urszula is committed to cross-functional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advancing thoughtful, modern HR practices.


    Free for members, $25 for non-members. 

    No refunds for missed or cancelled attendance. 

    • November 12, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom (link will be provided in registration confirmation)
    Register


    As transgender employees navigate increasing public scrutiny, policy inconsistency, and workplace uncertainty, they may also carry the added burden of balancing professionalism, safety, identity disclosure, workplace navigation, and informal education.

    This interactive session explores how public-sector HR professionals, leaders, and agencies can move beyond awareness and consider practical ways to strengthen gender inclusion through policy, communication, workforce education, and organizational support.

    Drawing from the City and County of San Francisco's Office of Transgender Initiatives, participants will examine real-world approaches to implementing gender inclusion efforts across government systems such as citywide training, policy guidance, cross-department collaboration, and scenario-based learning. The session will explore the gap between policy and day-to-day workplace practice, the often-unseen labor placed on marginalized employees to navigate and explain inclusion, and the role organizations can play in creating more sustainable support systems.

    Through guided discussion, reflection, and shared resources, attendees will consider how these approaches and lessons might be adapted within their own organizations and identify opportunities to strengthen inclusive workplace culture, employee support, and public service delivery.

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Explore San Francisco’s Gender Inclusion Policy and the Office of Transgender Initiatives’ workplace training practices and resources that support transgender employees and inclusive public service.
    • Understand why practices such as respectful pronoun use, inclusive documentation, and clearly communicated expectations matter within an HR and organizational context.
    • Identify practical opportunities within HR systems, workplace culture, and everyday organizational practices where gender inclusion can be strengthened.
    • Consider how policies, practices, and resources used in San Francisco might be adapted or used as a starting point for other public-sector organizations and jurisdictions.
    • Identify resources, training opportunities, and next steps for continued learning and implementation beyond the webinar.

    About our Presenter:

    Shane Zaldivar (she/her) is the Manager of Training & Education for the City and County of San Francisco's Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI). In her role, she develops and facilitates workforce education initiatives focused on inclusion, equitable service delivery, organizational culture, and practical implementation strategies across City departments and community partnerships.

    Over the past several years, Shane has designed and delivered training programs reaching thousands of public-sector employees, supported the development and implementation of San Francisco's citywide Gender Diversity Training Module, and collaborated with departments on policy guidance, workforce education, and cross-department equity initiatives.

    Her work focuses heavily on scenario-based facilitation, navigating difficult workplace conversations, and translating policy into practical, day-to-day implementation. Shane has presented at local and national conferences, including Creating Change, and is passionate about helping organizations build sustainable, accountable, and human-centered workplace systems.


    Free for members, $25 for non-members. 

    No refunds for missed or cancelled attendance. 

Past events

September 16, 2026 Unmute: A Leadership Framework for Unlocking Your Organization's Analytical Thinkers
August 27, 2026 2026 PSHRA Bay Area Mini Conference
July 22, 2026 The Future of Public Sector Hiring: Next-Gen AI Tools & Recruitment Marketing Strategies
April 16, 2026 Stay Ahead of the Curve: 2026 Employment Law for Public Sector HR
January 29, 2026 Conversation Before the Conversation: How Coaching Sets the Stage for Resolution
October 23, 2025 2025 PSHRA Bay Area Mini Conference
May 05, 2025 Positioning Yourself for Your First/Next HR Leadership Role
March 27, 2025 AB 2561: What It Means for Your Agency
December 11, 2024 Payroll: Who owns it?
November 07, 2024 How to Navigate Classification & Compensation Studies: Lessons Learned
September 26, 2024 1st Annual PSHRA Bay Area Symposium
July 11, 2024 Unlock the Future of Local Government HR: Harness the Power of GenAI
May 16, 2024 New CA Workplace Violence Requirements (SB 553): What You Need to Know
April 25, 2024 Spotlight: City of Palo Alto's Positive Work Environment Program
December 06, 2023 Attract Top Talent with Compelling Job Posts and Recruitment Marketing Tactics
September 28, 2023 PSHRA Bay Area Chapter Networking Social - September 28, 2023
September 13, 2023 Best Practices and Innovative Approaches to Employee Retention
May 24, 2023 Attracting Talent to Local Government
October 20, 2022 SFBAHR Chapter Networking Social - October 20, 2022
August 11, 2022 Sourcing Candidates Using Social Media
June 23, 2022 The Colorful World of Real HR: You Can't Make This Stuff Up
May 12, 2022 Workplace Health & Wellness Programs in a Post-Pandemic World
March 30, 2022 Building Resilient Workplaces
February 23, 2022 City of Oakland Race & Equity Program
September 15, 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategies in Recruitment.
June 08, 2021 SFBAHR Inaugural Event: DEI - It Sounds Simple Enough Right?

PSHRA Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Mailing address: 500 County Center, Floor 4, Redwood City, California 94063 

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