Community Spotlight – District 6
By Leydiana Patzer, SHRM-CP
It is an honor to serve the Chapters of District 6, comprised of South Brevard SHRM, Treasure Coast Human Resources Association, and St. Lucie County Human Resources Association. Here are a few highlights from District 6.
South Brevard SHRM
The South Brevard SHRM team held their annual Legislative Conference on January 16, 2025, at Suntree Country Club in Melbourne, FL. The 80 plus attendees heard from several speakers to include, Louis Wilson (Ford Harrison), Michelle Bush-Tatum (Ford Harrison), Caron Patridge (United Way), Lynda Weatherman (EDC) and a panel of professionals. The speakers and panelists shared notable insights regarding legal updates for 2025 and addressed how these changes both affect business as well as the application of these changes. The Annual Legislative Conference is in January every year and it coincides perfectly with swearing in our new board.
SBSHRM and the SCHRA once again, combined efforts this year to host the Annual Space Coast HR Conference which was held on April 16 at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto. The 171 attendees learned from several exceptional speakers during the full day event. Speakers included: Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, SHRM Membership Initiatives Director; Cody Byrns, Author, TEDx speaker, life coach, and podcast host; Kelly Merbler, Founding Principal, The Kelly Merbler Company; Louis Wilson, Ford Harrison and Michelle Tatum-Bush, Ford Harrison. Our sponsors as well as SBSHRM and SCHRA donated fantastic raffles and attendees purchased about $1400 in raffle tickets. The raffle ticket income will benefit both local charities and the SHRM Foundation.
Treasure Coast Human Resource Association
2025 has been an exciting and impactful year for Treasure Coast HRA! They’ve made it their mission to not only elevate the HR profession but also support and strengthen the heart of every organization—its people. From inspiring speakers and essential educational programs to unforgettable charity events, we’ve been busy creating real change for our members and our community.
They kicked off the year in January with Take the Fear out of Team Building, helping HR professionals and leaders alike create stronger, more connected teams. February followed with Walk This Way: How Well Do You Know and Support YOUR Business? A powerful reminder that great leadership starts with understanding the very business we serve. After all, if we don’t know our business inside and out, how can we lead with purpose or drive meaningful impact?
March was all about compliance as they dove into the Secure Act 2.0, ensuring our HR teams are equipped to stay current and compliant in a changing legal landscape.
April marked a huge milestone with their largest event of the year—their Annual Legal Conference. They welcomed over 80 HR professionals, front-line supervisors, and managers for a day of rich legal insights and professional networking. The learning didn’t stop there! That next evening, they added some fun to the mix with their Charity Casino Fundraising Event. The energy was high as they raised funds to support Palm Gardens Nursing Home in their incredible mission to purchase virtual reality equipment designed to assist patients with dementia. It was heartwarming to see our professional community come together for such a meaningful cause.
May is all about empowering the leaders on the front lines. May’s program, Supervising Others: A Survival Guide for the New Supervisor, focuses on equipping managers and supervisors with the tools they need to lead effectively and compassionately. These individuals are the heartbeat of every company, and TCHRA is proud to support their development.
Looking ahead to June, they are combining team building with purpose in Cycles for a Cause. Participants will work in teams to earn and assemble bikes through collaborative challenges. These completed bikes will then be donated to children in need, in partnership with the local sheriff’s office. It’s another powerful example of how professional development can go hand-in-hand with giving back. And the best part? They are just getting started. This is only a glimpse into what 2025 holds. Treasure Coast HRA is committed to continuing their mission of educating HR professionals and empowering the front-line leaders who shape our organizations every day. Together, they are building stronger workplaces—and stronger communities.
St. Lucie County Human Resources Association
St. Lucie County Human Resources Association completed a very successful 2024. In July they hosted their annual legal conference for HR & Business professionals to gain knowledge and insights from a variety of speakers that included: Labor and Employment Attorneys, Trial Lawyers from EEOC and Workers’ Compensation Defense Attorney. This was a great event that allowed the attendees to hear directly from the experts who shape the future of workplace law.
In November they hosted the Best Places to Work Ceremony and celebrated local businesses for going above and beyond for their employees. This is an event they have hosted annually for the past 23 years!
The program designed by Personnel Dynamics has always focused on educating employers on improving the workplace by conducting an in-depth analysis of key workplace metrics for local employers. This analysis includes 37 distinct measurements—such as turnover rates, growth percentages, employee development expenditures, promotion rates, benefits offerings, and retirement plans—was used to identify the “Best Places to Work” in St. Lucie County. Participation in this program is free for all employers within the county.
They are excited for 2025 as it is looking to be an even better year with new meeting venues, exciting announcements and planning for annual events. They are always looking for new and exciting ways to enhance HR knowledge to not only our members but to the community as well.
Save the date for our 2025 Legal conference which will be held on July 18th.
Leydiana Patzer, SHRM-CP
A qualified Human Resource Professional with her SHRM-CP Designation and more than twenty years of Human Resource experience in a variety of industries such as Hospitality, Agriculture, Communications, Professional Employer Organizations, Retail, and Underground Utilities. She is currently serving as the Director of Human Resources with Costa d’ Este Beach Resort & Spa in Vero Beach, FL as well as the Cardozo Hotel in South Beach Miami, FL. Both properties are part of the Pyramid Global Hospitality Luxury Portfolio and owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Leydiana was born in Havana, Cuba and has spent most of her life in the Sunshine State of Florida. She loves to dance and before finding her passion for HR, was a Dance Major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She currently resides in the beautiful beach town of Vero Beach, FL with her family!