(INDIANAPOLIS) In the face of adversity will you crumble, or will you soar? Shannon Huffman Polson has tackled her fair share of challenging experiences. She chose – quite literally – to soar, becoming one of the first women Apache attack helicopter pilots in the United States Army.

As opening keynote speaker of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 54th Annual Human Resources Conference & Expo on May 7-9, Polson will share her story, which includes growing up in Alaska, serving in the U.S. Army on three continents, finding her way in the corporate world and then leaving the boardroom to become an author.

A popular corporate lecturer, Polson has addressed organizations across the country, imparting lessons of leadership and determination. She’s also spent several years interviewing women in the military for The Grit Project, which inspired The Grit Institute, culminating in a four-week course to identify and develop grit.

Sponsored by Frost Brown Todd, LLC, the 54th Annual Human Resources Conference & Expo takes place at the Indianapolis Marriott East. The HR Market Expo is May 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a roundtable discussion luncheon with lawyers from Frost Brown Todd will begin at 11:30 a.m.

The conference features 32 breakout sessions and four educational tracks. Topics will include: the impact of the opioid epidemic and implications for the workplace; navigating conflict in a politically-heated workplace; how male allies support women leaders for gender equality; the changing culture and landscape from harassment to civility; and recent trends in workplace harassment law.

The opening speaker on May 9 is Jeff Nally, president of the Nally Group, Inc. The Ogletree Deakins Human Resources Professional of the Year will be awarded during a luncheon event that day, featuring keynote presenter Bill Mugavin, senior consultant for Flashpoint Leadership Consulting.

Cost for the full conference (including pre-conference workshops on May 7) is $499; Indiana Chamber members pay $399. Find full registration options and more information at www.indianahrconf.com, or call (317) 264-6885. Continuing education credit is also available.

Platinum sponsors are OurHealth; ProCourse Fiduciary Advisors; and University of Indianapolis – School of Business Graduate Programs. Gold sponsors are Center for Diagnostic Imaging; and IU Health Plans. Silver sponsors are ARGI Financial Group and Kings Island.

Additional sponsorships are available. Contact Jim Wagner at (317) 264-6876.

Other upcoming business education events in May include:

The 2018 Indiana Worker’s Compensation Conference will be held at the JW Marriott. All other May conferences will be held at the Indiana Chamber Conference Center in downtown Indianapolis. Visit www.indianachamber.com/conferences for more information or to register.

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The Indiana Chamber partners with 25,000 members and investors – representing over four million Hoosiers – to achieve the mission of “cultivating a world-class environment which provides economic opportunity and prosperity.”