May 2026 BAHREC Newsletter 
BAHREC | Message from Leadership
Brad Margolis, President, 2026-2027
May has arrived, and with it, a welcome reminder of why this community matters.
Our Spring Social Event brought together members for an evening of genuine connection. Watching colleagues reconnect, meet new peers, and share experiences reinforced something we hear consistently in our outreach conversations: the relationships built through BAHREC are among its most valuable offerings. In a profession where we often support others through difficult moments, having our own network of trusted peers is essential.
It has also been encouraging to see so many of you showing up consistently, whether in our Google Group discussions, at monthly events, or both. Those contributions matter more than you may realize. When a member shares a resource, poses a question, or responds to a colleague's challenge in the forum, they are extending the value of this community beyond any single event. That kind of ongoing engagement is what transforms a network into a true professional community. Thank you for investing in it.
The environment we're all navigating continues to demand a great deal from HR leaders. Economic uncertainty, organizational change, and the weight of supporting employees through ambiguity are constant realities for many of us. These are not challenges that come and go. They require sustained resilience, clear thinking, and the ability to hold complexity without easy answers.
This is exactly why peer connection is so important. Whether at a social event, a program session, or a quick conversation with a fellow member, these moments of connection help us stay grounded and remind us that we're not alone in this work. And on that note, as we start this week, we'll leave you with this: whatever challenges the galaxy of HR throws your way, May the 4th be with you :)
Warm regards,
Brad Margolis
President, BAHREC
BAHREC Spring Social Event
A glimpse of our Spring social
What a memorable evening filled with laughter, storytelling, meaningful conversations, and genuine connection! On April 22nd, members of the BAHREC community came together at Devil's Canyon Brewing Company for a lively spring social and happy hour that perfectly captured the spirit of our network.
The event brought together HR professionals from across the Bay Area in a relaxed, welcoming setting, creating space to unwind, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships beyond the workplace. From insightful discussions on evolving people practices to lighthearted moments shared over great food and drinks, the evening reflected the power of community and connection within BAHREC.
A special thank you to our generous sponsor, HandsOn Learning and Newfront, for supporting this gathering and helping make the event such a success. Their commitment to learning and community-building aligns closely with the values we strive to foster within BAHREC.
We look forward to many more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow together!
Upcoming Monthly Event
Next Up: On May 7, Lorne Epstein, a popular presenter from our February event, continues the journey on NeuroScience in Decision Making, a video program (virtual only). This is a highly interactive session. Lorne uses real scenarios, breakout discussions, and practical tools so you can experience, in real time, how decision-making holds up under pressure and where it breaks down.
- See how pressure, uncertainty, and emotion distort judgment
- Identify patterns that impact alignment and execution
- Learn simple tools to improve decision quality in real time
If decision-making is a priority for you or your leadership team, this will be time well spent.
Inclusive Leadership
A message from BAHREC VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Porsche C. Williams:
Cultural Observances: May 2026
Member Spotlight
Emi Zee, VP, Head of HR at Electra Therapeutics
“I joined BAHREC because I really value the network and camaraderie with fellow HR leaders. Being connected to people who are doing the same work and truly understand the challenges creates a sense of shared experience that’s hard to find. I also appreciate some of the events and programs, which offer perspectives that give me new or interesting ideas on how I approach my role as an HR leader. “
~Emi
Welcome New Members
Please welcome our Newest Members:
- Jon Meyers, Sr. Regional Director HR, Cintas
- Jelica Stulic, Sr. VP, HR at 4D Molecular Therapeutics
- David Flanders, HR & Risk Executive, Formerly at Lovelace Biomedical
CalSHRM Case Competition Update
SHRM California Student Case Competition
A Message from Sahar Zandi, VP, College Relations
Over 175 students attended this year’s SHRM California Student Case Competition, hosted by San Diego State University. The case, Amazing Grace Under Fire: When Legacy Meets Law, focused on generational challenges in the workplace and asked students to develop solutions for a family-run business that had relied on trust and word of mouth for over three generations.
When the company faced an ICE intervention at a sponsored event, it became clear there were no crisis response plans, documentation, and compliance were lacking, and no succession strategy existed for the third-generation CEO, leaving the organization vulnerable to a single point of failure.
Top honors went to the University of Southern California (graduate) and Cal Poly Pomona (undergraduate), with winners receiving conference registrations.
BAHREC was again a Premier Sponsor, supporting the next generation of HR professionals.
The 2027 competition will be held in mid-April at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento during the SHRM California Conference, with opportunities for student advocacy at the State Capitol. Please join us next year!
Legislative Advocacy
2026 CA Legislative & HR Leadership Summit Update
Over 200 attendees from large and small organizations gathered to learn about current legislation and to advocate, as experts and thought leaders, with the goal of influencing policy that directly impacts the HR profession and the broader business community.
This year, the top advocacy priorities were:
- Artificial Intelligence & Workplace Surveillance
- Next-Gen Workforce Development
- SHRM Supporting Today’s Workforce Caregiving Needs
The three AI bills we advocated, and we opposed in their current form, were:
SB 947 Regulation of Automated Decision Systems (ADS)
- Defines key terms (AI, ADS, employment decisions, worker data)
- Requires human review and independent investigation of ADS outputs
- Grants employees access to 12 months of data used in decisions
- Mandates written notice when ADS is used in adverse employment actions
- Creates enforcement via Labor Commissioner + private right of action
AB 1898 AI & Workplace Surveillance Transparency.
- Requires advance written notice (90 days) before using AI/surveillance tools.
- Applies to tools used for employment decisions or monitoring workers
- Requires employee acknowledgment before use of tools
- Mandates annual disclosure of all workplace AI tools in use
- Notice must detail purpose, data collected, outputs, risks, and vendor info
- Covers surveillance methods (video, audio, geolocation, tracking tools)
- Allows enforcement via the Labor Commissioner, prosecutors, and private lawsuits
- Provides penalties up to $500 per employee per violation
SB 951AI-Driven Job Displacement (AI WARN Expansion)
- Creates new notice requirements for AI-driven job displacement
- Requires 90-day notice for layoffs tied to automation/AI
- Applies to employers of any size
- Covers reductions of 25+ workers or 25% of the workforce
- Requires disclosure of AI tools and job impacts
- Provides penalties: back pay, benefits, and $500/day fines
- Grants affected workers the right of first refusal (for large employers)
- Establishes private right of action and reporting requirements
Overall, the conference and the Advocacy Day were a huge success. Next year’s conference is scheduled for mid-April and will be combined with the SHRM Student Case Competition, allowing members of our state SHRM Student Chapters to join us in advocating with elected officials.
Please contact Eric Schlezinger, VP, Legislative Affairs and SHRM Liaison at [email protected] if you would like to learn more.
Shaping What’s Next
BAHREC World Cafe Event - Coming Soon!
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the many BAHREC members who took the time over the past few months to share thoughtful and invaluable feedback through our outreach efforts, whether via email or phone. It was a pleasure connecting with so many of you and also introducing our upcoming World Café event.
While the exact date is still being finalized, we’re aiming to host the event before the summer vacation season begins. We’ll be sharing formal invitations and additional details in the coming weeks to help you plan ahead and reserve time on your calendars. Your participation is incredibly important to us, and we look forward to bringing this experience to life together soon.
Share Opportunities with the BAHREC Network
The BAHREC Jobs & Ads page is now online. Please share opportunities and let the power of the network support your organization today.
