North Star Awards Gala

This year, we’re taking celebration to a whole new level. ✨

Join us for the Annual North Star Awards Gala, an evening that honors excellence, service, and the shining stars of the HR profession in North Texas.

Enjoy a seated dinner with an added touch of wonder as a magician brings table-side entertainment throughout the evening. Together, we’ll recognize those who inspire, lead, and make a difference in our profession and our community.

Evening Highlights:

⭐ Presentation of Volunteer of the Year and HR Professional of the Year Awards

 Recognition of student and certification scholarship recipients

 Installation of 2026 Officers leading us into the next year

 Magical dinner entertainment you won’t forget

Bring your spouse, friend, or guest—everyone is welcome! Dress to impress or come as you are; either way, you’ll belong among friends and colleagues who share your passion for people.

 Friday, November 14, 2025

 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

  Denton Woman’s Club, 610 Oakland St, Denton, TX 76201

Let’s raise a glass to the people who make HR shine—and celebrate a night where excellence truly takes center stage.

BRING A CANNED FOOD ITEM

to benefit DENTON FREEDOM HOUSE FOOD PANTRY, a Christian nonprofit providing food (groceries) to those in need. Clients shop for their needs up to twice a week.

Change: Fighting the Fatigue

Legal Update and Educational Luncheon

Thursday, November 20, 2025: 10:45 am - 1:00 pm CT

Embassy Suites Denton Convention Center

3100 Town Center Tr, Denton, TX 76201

10:45 am to 11:00 am: Check-In

11:00 am - 11:30 am: Legal Presentation

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Speaker Presentation

Presented by Megan Garner

This presentation will be focused on how we fight change fatigue in a world of constant evolution, upheaval, and movement. We will look at 4 common change models, what they get right, where they have opportunities, and how we might use some of their concepts as the pace of change continues to accelerate. We will then review 3 new ways that we can support organizations and leaders to better manage changes in this fast-paced environment.

Megan Garner has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, primarily in manufacturing and telecommunications. Her HR journey began in the most unexpected place—a call center. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas, Megan was ready to paint the world with her creativity. Little did she know, HR would find her and turn her into a masterpiece of adaptability.

Megan had the opportunity to try out many different functions in her early career, including accounting, quality, and recruiting. In 2015, the world of aerospace manufacturing called Megan to her current home in the Safran Human Resources department. She has had the opportunity to serve in many roles at Safran, and is currently the HR Manager for the Denton site.

Megan also caught the volunteerism bug early in her career, joining North Texas SHRM in 2012 and beginning to serve on the Board of Directors in 2013 until 2022. At NTXSHRM, she held various roles including VP of Programs, President Elect, President, and Director of Community Relations. Megan has also volunteered with several other Denton area organizations, including United Way of Denton County, Women United, and the Economic Development Partnership through the Denton Chamber of Commerce.

Megan's non-traditional path has been her greatest asset. Her education in the arts taught her to ask questions, be flexible, and adapt to any situation. Whether it's managing HR or creating the perfect photograph, Megan knows how to seize opportunities and make the most of them. Along with her BFA, Megan holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and a Lean Sigma Green Belt. She is always looking for new things to learn and is continually pondering a return to school to pursue her MBA.

     Legal Presentation by John Hagan

The Good Stuff!

HR Legal War Stories from 2025

John is an HR lawyer who represents employers and HR professionals. He has been practicing for 25 years. He is both a counselor to HR professionals and trial lawyer who defends them. He is past president of DallasHR, Mid Cities HR and Collin County. He is presently serving as Vice President of Programs at NTSHRM. His wife is a big-time federal prosecutor, and both of their sons are Eagle Scouts.

This program has been approved for 1.5 SHRM PDC.  North Texas SHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. For more information, visit the SHRM certification website at www.shrmcertification.org.

This program has been approved for 1.5 General recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™, or SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

North Texas SHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

HR Certification Institute’s® (www.HRCI.org) official seal confirms that North Texas SHRM meets the criteria for pre-approved recertification credit(s) for any of HRCI’s eight credentials, including SPHR® and PHR®.

North Texas SHRM Policies and Procedures