HR core skills and knowledge are transferrable, no matter the workplace. But how they are applied can vary, depending upon the company. Join our panel for a discussion of real-life considerations when moving between for-profit, non-profit, and public organizations, between different industries and different size employers.

Enter the atrium where the front desk and cafe are located. Go through the cafe and around teh coffee bar where there will be people congregating.

Coffee & Pastries sponsored by IMA.

Meet Your Panelists

Samantha Bowes
Samantha Bowes is the Senior Director of Employee Engagement at Community Transit. She brings over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked across organizations of varying sizes before transitioning into the public sector. Her career reflects a deep commitment to mission-driven work, people-first human resources, and leading through organizational complexity and change.

Samantha also serves as Director-at-Large for Lake Washington HR Association, where she supports the broader HR community through leadership and service. She was previously a mentor and chair of the LWHRA Mentorship Program.

Saglara Meyer
Saglara Meyer is a Senior HR Business Partner and Site HR Leader at Triumph Aerospace Systems, where she partners with engineering and manufacturing leaders to navigate growth, change, and complex people challenges. Her experience spans private industry, hospitality, and the public sector — in both the U.S. and Denmark — giving her a practical, cross-sector lens on how HR truly operates in different environments.

In addition to her HR leadership role, Saglara is a certified executive coach and serves as Co-Chair of the Mentorship Program for Lake Washington Human Resources Association. She’s passionate about helping leaders and HR professionals grow with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

Hilary James
Hilary James
is a Talent and Organizational Development Principal Consultant at Providence, where she partners with leaders to drive culture evolution, recognition strategy, and employee experience across the large, multi-state non-profit health system. With 16 years of experience in HR and talent management, she has worked across consulting, technology, real estate, and healthcare, supporting business transformation and leadership development.

Hilary has been an active member of Lake Washington Human Resources Association since 2017, serving as Chair of the DE&I Committee, a Board member, and an instructor for the certification program. She is deeply committed to strengthening the HR community through service and mentorship.