Frontline and desk-less employees often face the greatest stress and least access to traditional mental health and wellbeing resources. Our speakers will share real experiences in hospitality, healthcare, and transportation. This session will explore how HR and leaders can make wellbeing programs not just accessible, but trusted, inclusive, and relevant to the people who keep operations running every day.
What You’ll Learn
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How to build trust and connection between leaders and frontline teams to drive engagement and retention
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Ways to create safety through confidential, accessible wellbeing support
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How to use open enrollment as a key moment to highlight mental health and wellbeing tools
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Practical strategies to ensure inclusive access across language, culture, and gender differences
Register now!
The Experts Guiding the Conversation
Maria Friedrich
Human Resources Director at Provo Marriott Hotel
Maria Friedrich is a seasoned human resources professional with over twenty-six years of progressive experience, currently serving as a Human Resources Director at the Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. She holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and brings a distinguished record of advancing talent strategy, organizational culture, and leadership development within global hospitality operations.
Maria began her career in social work in Oregon, where she developed a deep foundation in empathy, advocacy, and community engagement. This early experience continues to shape her people-centered approach to leadership and organizational development.
At the Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Maria leads cross-functional teams in the design and execution of comprehensive HR strategies encompassing workforce planning, leadership and learning development, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and compliance. Her leadership emphasizes aligning human capital initiatives with business objectives to foster inclusive, high-performing, and values-driven workplaces.
Maria is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic acumen, and ability to build cohesive teams that drive operational excellence. She remains deeply committed to cultivating environments where employees feel supported, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Melissa Johnson
VP of Operations at Nivati
With over 20 years of HR and operations leadership, Melissa brings a strategic mindset and a track record of driving organizational performance. A former mayor of Utah’s fourth-largest city, Melissa has led complex public-private initiatives and championed workforce development.
She has guest-lectured at colleges and universities throughout the mountain west including the University of Utah, Stanford, and Oregon State University, sharing insights on public administration, human resources, and operational excellence. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and is dedicated to building people-centric, high-impact organizations.