Ovell Barbee, SPHR

“Work is increasingly disconnected from old ideas of career, reward and workplace. New dimensions define success for the future of the workforce.” — Mark Bradley (Earnst and Young) at Metro Milwaukee SHRM Spring Conference

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🌟 Detroit’s Fractional CHRO Community is Shaping Strategic HR Leadership 🌟 Detroit’s business ecosystem — spanning automotive, manufacturing, and fast-scaling mid-market firms — calls for HR executives who can drive transformation without losing operational momentum. Fractional CHROs are redefining how companies access senior people leadership, guiding organizations through change, leadership development, and proactive talent strategy. At Digital Reference, our commitment remains anchored in 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆, and elevating leaders whose work reflects substance over noise. We spotlight professionals who help organizations move forward with trust and strategic clarity. 👋 Meet Margi Fox, Founder of Fox Leadership Solutions ✨What positions her among Detroit’s most trusted HR voices: 🧠𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆, shifting organizations from reactive HR into strategic, future-ready people operations. 🏢𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 through 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴, and 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 — strengthening employee experience while building leadership capacity. 🎯𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗥 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, and 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 🤝𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 + 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, serving as both strategic advisor and hands-on partner during pivotal business moments. Margi’s leadership style balances vision and execution, helping organizations evolve their people and performance capabilities with intentional, scalable strategy. 📖Learn more about Margi Fox and other Keynote Speakers in Detroit here: https://lnkd.in/gaibbGTM

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I recently spoke with the Racine Urban League on Navigating the DE&I or DE&I +Belonging Landscape, and I want to reset the conversation with facts. DE&I(Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) is not niche work. It directly impacts the majority of today’s workforce, including: • Women (47% of the U.S. workforce – BLS) • Professionals over 40 (nearly 25% of U.S. workers – BLS) • People with disabilities (26% of U.S. adults – CDC) • Veterans, caregivers, and first-generation professionals ☝🏾What the research consistently shows: • Companies with diverse leadership teams are more profitable (McKinsey, Diversity Wins) • Inclusive cultures drive higher engagement and retention (Deloitte, Global Human Capital Trends) • Fair, skills-based hiring expands access to stronger talent pools (SHRM) 🧐 So why is DEI under attack? Because it’s often framed as political or exclusionary — when in reality, DEI is: -A HR/talent strategy -A risk-management strategy compliance/legal -A performance strategy At its core, DE&I is about access, consistency, and opportunity, not quotas or preference. The future of DE&I will belong to leaders who: • Use data and HR strategies • Speak plainly • Align DE&I to business outcomes This conversation matters especially now.

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Strong employer-community partnerships play an important role in building a resilient regional workforce. The Detroit Regional Partnership Talent Solutions team is partnering with SER Metro-Detroit, MiSide, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC Detroit) through The Economic Partnership Alliance to develop a new Community Engagement Playbook — designed to help employers better connect with Detroit’s workforce ecosystem. Launching this March, the playbook will provide practical guidance for new and expanding employers entering the region, offering insights on workforce partnerships, incentives, talent pipelines and strategies to become an employer of choice in Detroit. By strengthening collaboration between employers and community-based organizations, this initiative helps align business growth with inclusive economic development — supporting stronger neighborhoods, expanded workforce opportunities and long-term regional success. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to launch!

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​​When I first met Mark Lang in 2016 at an interview skills class at a local Dayton, Ohio, branch of vocational rehabilitation (Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities), he immediately stood out - not just for his determination but for the way he lifted up everyone around him. Mark's energy, humor, and dedication to self-improvement were contagious, and it was clear he had the drive to succeed. But the road wasn't easy. Before connecting with Disability Solutions and landing his role at Synchrony, Mark faced barriers - not because of his skills, but because of his speech impediment. Getting a "real job" seemed out of reach. Fast forward to today: Mark has been thriving at Synchrony for over 8 years as a Collections Representative. Synchrony focused on Mark's 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, not his 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴. In just his first two months, he scored 100% on supervised calls - a testament to his skills and commitment. Mark's story is a reminder that talent is everywhere if you know where to look. 💡 What's the takeaway? Companies that focus on abilities, not barriers, unlock talent that drives performance and innovation. Check out our recent interview with Mark Lang to hear more about his journey and how workplaces like Synchrony are redefining what inclusion looks like ⬇️ #DisabilityEmployment #InclusiveHiring #DisabilityTalent #InclusiveRecruitment #DisabilityInclusion

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🚀💪OPPORTUNITY! Here’s your chance to develop your leadership team. Velocity’s accelerator client, Monarch Coaching Co has partnered with GEM to help you cover the cost of of quality training! I highly recommend getting in touch with Erika Rivera Jaramillo and Taylor Miller-Goulait to learn more! Karen Arondoski Jeff Simek George C. Jeffrey Hohlfeldt Tom Schneider Michael Kaszubski, CFE✔️

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