BY DANIEL M. PEREZ
Journal Staff
Local business executives, human resources leaders, and industry experts gathered at the Dusit Thani Resort Guam on Aug. 14 for the 2026 SHRM Guam Annual Conference to address critical workforce productivity losses, management development gaps, and evolving federal immigration policies.
Centered on the theme "The SHRMYs—Recognizing You," the daylong event organized by the Guam Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management focused on advancing people-first leadership, sharing best organizational practices, and tackling emerging workplace challenges across the region. Breakout sessions featured presentations on leadership, workplace culture, talent strategy, crisis management, and employment law updates.
Addressing workplace productivity, Isha Haley, director of strategic initiatives at Dewitt Guam and vice president of programs for SHRM Guam, presented a breakout session titled "Aligning Purpose and Position for Optimal Performance."
"Only 20% of employees worldwide feel actively engaged in their roles, leaving 80% disengaged," Haley said, citing global analytics from Gallup. "This widespread lack of workplace engagement accounts for an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity globally each year."
Furthermore, data indicates that 26% of organizations maintain managers who are unprepared to cultivate and develop the next generation of talent.
Haley emphasized that disengagement is not merely an employee issue, but a direct threat to corporate profitability and organizational growth. Drawing inspiration from a national address delivered by Oprah Winfrey, Haley told attendees, "Human resources professionals serve as the custodians of culture and the masters of human potential." To overcome leadership gaps, Haley urged chief executive officers and business owners to integrate human resources officers directly into top-level executive strategy.
She argued that human resources professionals must serve as formal business partners with a seat at the executive table rather than operating solely as administrative conduits or problem solvers. "Building sustainable organizations in the region starts with investing in local talent and aligning daily individual roles with overarching business targets," Haley said, addressing the critical balance required to retain skilled workers.
In addition to workplace alignment, the conference provided critical legal insights for regional employers navigating regulatory shifts.
Atty. Melinda Swavely, specializing in immigration law, led a specialized breakout session titled "Plot Twists and Character Changes at USCIS: Immigration Law Updates," which detailed recent procedural shifts within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and their operational impacts on Guam and Northern Mariana Islands business operations. "Staying ahead of regulatory adjustments is crucial for maintaining business continuity and compliance across regional labor markets," Swavely explained, outlining how procedural shifts at USCIS directly influence local recruitment and visa processing workflows. mbj
Journal Staff
Local business executives, human resources leaders, and industry experts gathered at the Dusit Thani Resort Guam on Aug. 14 for the 2026 SHRM Guam Annual Conference to address critical workforce productivity losses, management development gaps, and evolving federal immigration policies.
Centered on the theme "The SHRMYs—Recognizing You," the daylong event organized by the Guam Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management focused on advancing people-first leadership, sharing best organizational practices, and tackling emerging workplace challenges across the region. Breakout sessions featured presentations on leadership, workplace culture, talent strategy, crisis management, and employment law updates.
Addressing workplace productivity, Isha Haley, director of strategic initiatives at Dewitt Guam and vice president of programs for SHRM Guam, presented a breakout session titled "Aligning Purpose and Position for Optimal Performance."
"Only 20% of employees worldwide feel actively engaged in their roles, leaving 80% disengaged," Haley said, citing global analytics from Gallup. "This widespread lack of workplace engagement accounts for an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity globally each year."
Furthermore, data indicates that 26% of organizations maintain managers who are unprepared to cultivate and develop the next generation of talent.
Haley emphasized that disengagement is not merely an employee issue, but a direct threat to corporate profitability and organizational growth. Drawing inspiration from a national address delivered by Oprah Winfrey, Haley told attendees, "Human resources professionals serve as the custodians of culture and the masters of human potential." To overcome leadership gaps, Haley urged chief executive officers and business owners to integrate human resources officers directly into top-level executive strategy.
She argued that human resources professionals must serve as formal business partners with a seat at the executive table rather than operating solely as administrative conduits or problem solvers. "Building sustainable organizations in the region starts with investing in local talent and aligning daily individual roles with overarching business targets," Haley said, addressing the critical balance required to retain skilled workers.
In addition to workplace alignment, the conference provided critical legal insights for regional employers navigating regulatory shifts.
Atty. Melinda Swavely, specializing in immigration law, led a specialized breakout session titled "Plot Twists and Character Changes at USCIS: Immigration Law Updates," which detailed recent procedural shifts within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and their operational impacts on Guam and Northern Mariana Islands business operations. "Staying ahead of regulatory adjustments is crucial for maintaining business continuity and compliance across regional labor markets," Swavely explained, outlining how procedural shifts at USCIS directly influence local recruitment and visa processing workflows. mbj
