Events

2026 OHRC - Pre-Conference Session - HR’s Gone Wild: Leadership Lessons from the Animal Kingdom

Special Pre Conference Session- "HR’s Gone Wild: Leadership Lessons from the Animal Kingdom" with John Bernatovicz

Join us for a SPECIAL PREMIUM SESSION with John Bernatovicz on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 8am to 10:00am.

NOTE: John's pre-conference session WILL NOT be available on the virtual platform. The only way to attend the session (for credit) will be in person. This event is SEPARATE from the 2026 Ohio HR Conference and requires a separate charge & registration.

Session Description: What can butterflies, dolphins, and elephants teach us about business and life? More than you might think! This unique workshop blends nature’s instincts with business insights, offering ten (plus a very special bonus idea) powerful business lessons from the animal kingdom that can be applied to leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and resilience at work. Join us for a fresh, fun, and thought-provoking session that will inspire you to approach challenges with new perspective, lead by example, and maybe even gain a little wild wisdom.

Speaker Bio: John Bernatovicz is a family first, business leader, balancing roles as a husband, father, brother, coach, and competitive amateur golfer. In addition to being an entrepreneur, podcast host, keynote speaker, author, and HR and payroll expert, John is on a mission to empower leaders to transform how people feel at work while making a positive impact. With a rich entrepreneurial history spanning 25 years, John has been at the helm of six business ventures. Currently serving as the president of Willory, a boutique professional services firm focused on talent, technology, and transformational services inspiring the human resources, payroll, and HR tech communities, John's passion lies in elevating purpose-driven organizations to their full potential. At Willory, he is dedicated to attracting, developing, and empowering top talent. John's leadership has propelled Willory to remarkable achievements, including recognition in prestigious lists such as NorthCoast 99, Weatherhead 100, Crain’s 52, and Inc. 5000. In addition, John’s book, HR Like a Boss, is the first SHRM-published book to reach #1 New Release on Amazon, and his second book, Payroll Like a Boss, that he co-wrote with Tammy Gillenwater hit the best seller list.