When an unimaginable crisis struck—finding her boss deceased in the office—Melissa had to act instantly, drawing on everything she had learned from more than 20 years in HR and her ongoing involvement with SHRM. In that moment, her role expanded from HR professional to business leader, crisis manager, and lifeline for 35 employees whose livelihoods hung in the balance. Through this candid and inspiring session, Melissa shares real-world lessons learned from navigating tragedy with resilience, professionalism, and heart. Blending humor, honesty, and practical insight, she illustrates how HR’s core principles—communication, compliance, empathy, and courage—can guide us through even the most unexpected situations. Attendees will leave with renewed confidence in their ability to lead through crisis, protect their people, and turn adversity into opportunity. Attendees will also receive practical, ready-to-use resources to help strengthen their organization’s crisis readiness, response, and recovery efforts.