The Pulse - October 2025 Newsletter
PSPS: Philadelphia Society of People & Strategy
PSPS: Driving Business Value Through People
Honoring Dr. Wendy Axelrod: Celebrating Four Decades of Membership and 24 Years of Mentorship Excellence
As we enter mentoring season, it is the perfect time to celebrate a true architect of professional growth in our field, Dr. Wendy Axelrod, PhD. For 40 years, Wendy has been a driving force within PSPS, shaping our community through her leadership and volunteerism as a dedicated member, former Board Member, and President. Over the past 24 years, her influence has extended far beyond PSPS, helping to shape the HR profession through her vision, leadership, and steadfast commitment to developing others.
Wendy’s impact runs deep within PSPS and across the broader HR community. As the founder of the AIM (Achievements in Mentoring) Program, she launched what has become PSPS’s longest running and most defining initiative. The program continues to bring senior HR leaders and CHROs together with emerging professionals in meaningful, no cost mentoring relationships. Through AIM, generations of leaders have paid it forward, creating a network of growth, guidance, and shared learning that strengthens individuals, organizations, and the HR profession as a whole.
An acclaimed author, mentor, and coach, Wendy quite literally wrote the book on mentorship, 10 Steps to Successful Mentoring. She continues to live its lessons every year by coaching mentors, guiding mentees, and modeling the principles she champions. Her work has transformed mentorship from a professional practice into a personal calling, inspiring leaders to actively invest in the growth of others.
In recognition of Wendy’s extraordinary contributions, PSPS is proud to introduce the Distinctive AIM Mentee Award, created by Wendy herself. This new honor celebrates AIM graduates who demonstrate continued leadership, learning, and engagement within the PSPS community, a reflection of the lasting impact of mentorship done right.
Wendy’s vision reminds us that mentorship is more than guidance; it is a legacy. It is about creating leaders who, in turn, create more leaders.
Join us as we celebrate Dr. Wendy Axelrod, PhD, and the inaugural recipients of the Distinctive AIM Mentee Award at the PSPS Leadership Forum on November 6. Learn more about the AIM Program and how your organization can participate here.
Gratefully,
Please feel free to reach out with questions or feedback.
Counting down to the 2025 PSPS Leadership Forum Featuring Dr. Donna Hicks
We’re excited to bring you the 2025 PSPS Leadership Forum—The Strategic Power of Dignity: From Conflict to Collaboration—taking place on Thursday, November 6, at Union League, Lafayette Hill.
What if the key to building resilient, high-performing teams wasn’t about respect but about dignity?
At the 2025 PSPS Leadership Forum, Dr. Donna Hicks, renowned Harvard researcher and author of Leading with Dignity, will challenge how we think about human connection and leadership.
Discover:
- How violating another’s dignity is often at the root of workplace conflict
- The four everyday indignities people experience at work — often without realizing it
- How to repair dignity violations and rebuild trust
- Practical ways to create a culture of dignity that fuels collaboration, resilience, and psychological safety
- The business case for honoring dignity as a driver of retention, innovation, and engagement
When dignity is honored, people bring their best selves to work, and the results speak for themselves.
Join us on November 6 at Union League, Lafayette Hill, where HR and business leaders will be in the room exploring how dignity transforms leadership and organizational culture.
👉 Register today: Seats are running out!
PSPS Volunteer Opportunity: Light the Night Tomorrow!
Our Community Connections and Inclusion committee has been organizing volunteer events and fundraising opportunities in various locations over the past few weeks and dates throughout Philadelphia, supporting Light the Night.
At Light The Night, communities gather to celebrate, honor, and remember those touched by blood cancers and bring light to the darkness of cancer. The funds raised by this community fund support life-saving blood cancer research around the world, provide free information and support services, and serve as the voice for those seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care for patients and their families. One of our committee members, Brittany Benson, has a nephew fighting leukemia.
Our next event festivities start at 5:30 pm tomorrow, October 25th, and the walk commences at 6:30 pm. You will walk one mile, and there is still time to sign up!
Kevin Davis , co-chair of Community Connections & Inclusion, will be the lead. For more information & to register.
If you would like to donate to Brittany's fundraising efforts, click here.
What makes the PSPS AIM program different from other mentoring programs?
- It's a structured 6-month program (Jan–June) in which you meet with your mentoring partner bi-weekly (virtual).
- Proven track record—25 years of shaping future HR leaders.
- One-on-one check-ins with each Mentee and Mentor to identify ways to accelerate growth and potentially resolve any obstacles in their process.
- Regular dedicated Mentee and Mentor Cohort groups focused on deepening their mentoring experience.
- Three All Hands meetings (virtual).
AIM isn’t just about networking—it’s about building the skills, mindset, and confidence to take your leadership to the next level. That’s why organizations have modeled their internal programs after ours.
Please contact Doug Hilton if you have any questions.
The deadline for the 2026 AIM offering is Friday, October 31st. Please share this with high-potential HR professionals in your network with 2-8 years of client-facing experience.
3 HR Trends Shaping 2026: AI Strategy, Gen Z Retention & Employee Wellness
An Article from our Platinum Sponsor, Top Stack
The workplace is shifting, and HR is right at the heart of it. As a trusted staffing partner, we have a front row seat to how these changes are unfolding — and we’re sharing that insider intel with you.
Find out what the three biggest HR trends are for 2026 and how smart, people-focused leaders are making the most of them. Learn how you can lead the way in 2026.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Member In Transition Highlight
At PSPS, we have a forum for members in a career transition looking for support in best positioning themselves in the market. This informal “advisory board” provides collaborative support during the transition process along with regular lead sharing. For more information, check out the Career Transition Group section of our website.
This month, we want to highlight one of our members who is actively looking for her next adventure! This month's featured member: Maria R. DeQuinque, SHRM-CP, PHR
Background/Experience:
I am an accomplished HR Professional with broad experience in high-volume, diverse environments. Noted for a customer-centric focus, attention to detail, and always going above and beyond to resolve issues. Expertise in administering all aspects of HR, as well as training staff and supporting HRBP leadership. Experience providing global first-line support to leadership, managers, and employees while demonstrating strong ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and problem-solve. Highly organized with proven talent in streamlining operations and processes for high efficiency. Team player and outstanding communicator who excels in building relationships and collaborating with others. Keen understanding of analytics that enables insights for improvement. Project leadership for industry associations. 2018 Delaware Valley HR Person of the Year - Nominee.
What is your superpower:
My superpower is my exceptional client‑service orientation and ability to build strong and lasting relationships across all levels. I’m deeply committed to supporting both managers and employees, and I do whatever it takes to address day‑to‑day HR challenges. I excel at building trust and meaningful connections within organizations—whether with leadership or staff—and I consistently step up to resolve issues swiftly and effectively. I proactively handle HR needs and problems that keep operations running smoothly.
Target Role(s):
I am currently targeting “hybrid” HR Generalist / HR Coordinator roles in Southern New Jersey or Center City Philadelphia.
What value do you get from PSPS?
PSPS has helped me expand my HR network. I have arranged many virtual 1x1 networking meetings with members of the career transition group, which has been invaluable. Participating in the HR Business Partner Roundtable has been especially rewarding, as well. It’s a space where I can learn from others, share my own experiences, and see what’s working for them. This mutual exchange helps me grow both technically & strategically. Finally, the sense of community and collaboration in PSPS means I’m not only learning, but also contributing - sharing what I know to help others succeed.
What do you enjoy most about the Transition Group:
I love connecting with new HR professionals—learning from their unique experiences and sharing insights. I thrive on the energy of exchanging ideas, offering proven job‑search strategies, and helping others succeed. Building connections and contributing ways forward has been deeply rewarding.
Fun fact/Hobby/Family, etc.
I am traveling on a cruise to Bermuda with my family in June 2026!
Upcoming Events
We have a lot of great events coming up over the next few months! Check out the Events section of our website for more information. Here are a few highlights for you to consider with links to register:
HR/TA Consultants Roundtable 10/28/2025
Talent Acquisition Roundtable 11/11/2025
PSPS Transition Group 11/11/2025
HR DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 11/13/2025
Leadership/Talent Development Roundtable 11/14/2025
Business Owners Roundtable 11/17/2025
New Member Lunch & Learn 11/19/2025
HR Business Partner Roundtable 11/19/2025
HR/TA Consultants Roundtable 11/25/2025
Winter Social 12/3/2025
Leadership/Talent Development Roundtable 12/12/2025
Did You Know?
For our PSPS members only...
Have you joined our LinkedIn Group? Here’s the link to join. Join us today!
Our website provides additional information about joining PSPS or becoming a sponsor.
Thank you to all of our annual sponsors.
Nice job as always
last call for tomorrow for Light the Night..who will be in Philly?