Meeting/Event Information
TAHRA has regularly scheduled programs throughout the year with the exception of July and August. Programs are designed to educate on a variety of HR topics, from small employers where the HR professional wears many hats to large employers with many HR professionals. TAHRA is a SHRM Recertification Provider and an HRCI Approved Provider.
TAHRA, SHRM, and MISHRM events are listed below.
For more information on TAHRA meetings and events, including presenting to our group, please contact us at [email protected].
January 2026 - TAHRA Monthly Meeting - The Connection Advantage: Elevating HR Through Story & Skill
January 13, 2026
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Park Place Hotel & Conference Center
300 East State Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Add to Calendar
DirectionsAbout Our Session
Kick off the new year with an interactive, hands-on workshop led by coaches Dana Black and Shea Petaja.
This fresh take on HR training is built on courage, curiosity, and authentic connection. Dana and Shea will introduce a powerful approach to storytelling where you’ll learn directly from your peers' real-life scenarios in the workplace and experience live coaching in action.
You’ll connect with fellow HR professionals through shared lessons, dynamic partner exercises, realistic role play, and skill-building focused on vocal tone, emotional intelligence, and communication delivery.
Come ready to practice, participate, and walk away energized—with new tools, new insights, and a renewed sense of confidence for the year ahead!
About Our Speakers
DANA BLACK
For over 17 years, Dana Black has been a professional SAG-AFTRA TV/film/theater actor in Chicago. BUT for the last 2 years, she is proud to call home the Central Neighborhood in Traverse City.
Dana has been a speaker delivery coach for TEDxChicago for 4 years, one of the largest TEDx events in the country.. She is an executive public speaking and performance coach for C-suite leaders, managers, non profits, entrepreneurs and leaders all over the country. Some local clients include Traverse Connect, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Valor Skincare, Choice Properties, FLOW, Northbound PT and Wellness, and Honor Bank.
Dana is also certified in emotional intelligence work with the Southwest Institute for Emotional Intelligence, and has a certificate in Executive Presence Training through eCornell.
Dana has twice been a moderator with the National Writers Series, an emcee for the Grand Traverse ATHENA Awards, and a proud co-emcee alongside Shea Petaja for TCNewTech and 20Fathoms. She is also a proud TART Trail Ambassador, a Big Brother Big Sisters, and an executive committee board member of City Opera House.
Dana loves helping people find their confidence, messaging and authentic voice through good clear messaging, storytelling, humor and a little bit of bold vulnerability.
SHEA PETAJA
Shea Petaja spent 15 years as Chief Experience and Marketing Officer at Prout Financial Design, translating complex financial expertise into human connection. She designed private client events, hosted public classes, and built the firm’s brand and marketing experience from the ground up. For over a decade, she co-hosted New Retirement Radio on WTCM and was recognized by TD Ameritrade for delivering the Best Client Experience in the Nation.
Shea also co-founded Fulfillament, a storytelling event modeled after TEDx where entrepreneurs share personal stories of purpose and fulfillment. Over seven years and 21 events, she coached more than 100 speakers to bring their stories to life. Today, she continues to emcee events for TCNewTech and 20Fathoms alongside Dana Black.
A proud member of Impact 100 and performer with FullTilt Comedy since 2019, Shea brings humor and heart to everything she does.
As an intuitive business coach, Shea partners with entrepreneurs, executives, and teams to help them align purpose with performance. She facilitates communication workshops, leads retreats, and consults using the Predictive Index behavioral assessment to help organizations optimize their talent using science-backed behavioral insights.
You can find her podcast, The Honest Edge on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming services.
Tickets
$0.00 Member Registration
$50.00 Non-Member Registration
