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Keynote Speakers


   

EMCEE


concurrent sessions

DAY 1 LINEUP:

  • Justin-Jones Fosu - Work and Lead to a Different Beat
  • Marcus Sylvas - Herding Your Team to Self-Actualization Using Psychological Safety
  • Carrie Cherveny - Get Smart About AI - Generating Guidelines to Harmonize Technology with Humanity
  • Dr. Missy Korduner & Deana Meredith - The Value of Strengths - Based Leadership in Organizations
  • Oxana Bowman - Immigration for the HR Pros: ABCs of Business Immigration
  • April Simpkins - Breaking the Silence: Cultivating a Workplace Culture that Supports Mental Health
  • Shari Simpson - From Onboarding to Belonging: The Employee Experience Lifecyle
  • Garrett Wheat - What Can AI Actually Do?
  • Keesha Buteau - Navigating Difficult Conversations
  • Michael Victorian - Surviving in a Wilderness of Workplace Litigation: Strategies to Prevent & Defend Employment Lawsuits
  • Christina Boudreaux - Humanizing Talent Acquisition by Embracing Digital Transformation Era
  • James Stodd - Compensation Challenges & Opportunities under the 2nd Trump Administration
  • Mechelle Roberthon - Survival of the Sharpest: Evaluating Your Leadership Team & Navigating Tough Performance Talks
  • Erin Kilgore - Charting the Path to Managing Leave Request

DAY 2 LINEUP:

  • Matthew Meyer & Alex Drozd - Using Generative HR NOW, Tomorrow and the FUTURE
  • Misty McCraw - Taming the Talent Wilderness: Tracking Success with Human & Artificial Intelligence
  • Shari Simpson - Black Mirror: The Ethics in AI in HR
  • Keesha Buteau - Positive Intelligence: Unlocking Your Full Potential
  • Marvis Hicks & Dr. Leah Raby - Navigating the Evolving Employment Laws in the Wild World of Talent Mgmt
  • Meagan West - Beyond Engagement: Mastering Employee Experience for a Thriving Workplace in 2025
  • Tom Daly - Breaking the Rules: Leading in the Age of AI
  • Craig Broome - Unleashing the Power of Collaborative AI in Team Dynamics: Leading the Future of Work
  • Sherron Williams - Navigating the Evolving Workplace: Key Diversity, Affirmative Action, and Compliance Updates for 2025
  • Melissa Thompson - Beyond the Resume: Hiring for Potential, Not Just Experience
  • Chris Baldwin & Sommer Mason - The Wild West Comes Alive Again - in the Modern Age in the form of AI
  • Julie Burch - It's Stressful in the Wild! This Isn't Your Mama's Stress Management
  • Heather Mazac - Into the Wild of Employee Benefits Law: Surviving Compliance in 2025 and Beyond
  • Legal Panel - The Final Campfire: Burning Questions & Legal Answers



Justin - Jones Fosu || Work & Lead to a Different Beat

This keynote presentation shares an inside-out approach powered by practical research that empowers your people to bring their best selves to work every day. Using the African drum as a metaphor for bringing meaning, he'll create an unforgettable experience that will inspire HR professionals and leaders to take immediate action in how they show up for themselves and others. You will leave this session with: 1. An actionable understanding of the 3 Rhythm Models and how to apply it to create deeper and more meaningful connections and conversations with your teams. 2. A deeper dive into the Meaningful Day Template and how to apply the 4P's to you and your team. 3. An ability to apply the 5sc2 model to recharge and refocus at work and home.

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Marcus Sylvas || Herding Your Team to Self-Actualization Using Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is the biggest contributing factor to team success, but do you fully understand psychological safety in a way that can lead to personal growth and self-actualization? The goal of this session is to introduce the concept of psychological safety in a way that benefits personal growth, show how vulnerability can deepen any relationship, and provide simple tools to help guide you and your team to self-actualization.

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Carrie Cherveny || Get Smart About Artificial Intelligence: Generating Guidelines to Harmonize Technology with Humanity

Artificial intelligence tools can be a smart addition to your HR toolkit as long as you have a proper guidance system in place. HR departments are already deploying AI services for such tasks as resume screening, onboarding, training and research. How organizations implement AI into their workflow can be limitless. For such a potentially powerful tool, it's essential to have a guidance system in place. By establishing a balance between leveraging technology and maintaining human

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Missy Korduner, PhD and Deana Meredith || The Value of Strengths-Based Leadership in Organizations

How often were you told to focus on your areas of weakness to improve and get better at something?  We are turning this age-old mentality on its head! During this session, you will reflect on your own individual strengths and how they influence your professional work. Come learn about evidence-based practices to infusing strengths-based leadership into your teams and organizations. 

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Oxana Bowman || Immigration for the HR Professional: ABCs of Business Immigration – Work Visa Options for Your Employees

HR Professionals are often tasked with recruiting individuals to meet business needs and sometimes this involves hiring talent from abroad. From temporary work visas to permanent residency, U.S. immigration law provides businesses with various work visa options for their foreign talent. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the most common U.S. work visa options available to employers to help fulfill business needs. We will cover key developments including the H-1B cap, hiring students on F-1 Optional Practical Training, I-9 compliance, prevailing wage issues faced by employers during the H-1B and green card process, visa number retrogression and backlogs and global visa delays and challenges for business travelers. On the employment law and compliance side, we will discuss what employers may ask about immigration status in the pre-hire screening process, employer obligations with respect to H-1B workers, and strategies for immigration and related employment law policy and planning. This session will also equip HR and in-house lawyers with strategies for complying with government “site visits” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and best practices in communicating with government officials.

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April Simpkins || Breaking the Silence: Cultivating a Workplace Culture that Supports Mental Health

The challenges of mental health in the workplace have never been more pressing. Employees at every level are navigating unprecedented stress, burnout, and mental health struggles. Yet, many workplaces remain unequipped to provide the necessary support. This session, led by April Simpkins—an award-winning HR strategist, mental health advocate, and professional speaker—offers a comprehensive approach to addressing mental health in the workplace. Participants will explore actionable strategies for creating a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health, promotes open dialogue, and ensures that employees feel supported and valued. April will share real-world examples, cutting-edge research, and practical tools to help HR professionals lead this critical conversation and implement impactful change.

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Shari Simpson || From Onboarding to Belonging: The Employee Experience Lifecycle

Transform your employee experience strategy from a traditional onboarding checklist to a holistic journey that cultivates deep organizational belonging and lasting engagement. This innovative session reveals how to design and implement comprehensive experience programs that resonate from day one through the entire employee lifecycle. Learn cutting-edge approaches for creating personalized touchpoints, meaningful connections, and authentic cultural integration that drive both retention and performance. Participants will discover how to leverage technology, human connection, and data-driven insights to build immersive experiences that transform new hires into passionate brand ambassadors. Through real-world case studies and interactive exercises, explore practical strategies for measuring and enhancing the moments that matter most in the employee journey. Perfect for HR professionals, employee experience specialists, and organizational leaders committed to building cultures where every team member feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute their best work. - Design and implement a comprehensive employee experience framework that seamlessly integrates onboarding, development, and engagement initiatives while measuring impact on retention and performance. - Create personalized employee journey maps and connection points that foster authentic belonging and cultural alignment across diverse workforce segments. - Develop data-driven strategies for measuring and optimizing key experience metrics throughout the employee lifecycle while building sustainable engagement practices.

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Garrett Wheat || What Can AI Actually Do?

With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), every sector of work has been asking, “Will this replace me?” AI has developed a broad range of skills, so this question is not completely irrelevant. Many AI software programs have been created to assist with the formation and development of textual, audible, and visual artifacts. However, AI should be viewed more as a tool that will help to enhance productivity, not replace employees. In this session, we’ll take a hands-on approach to look at text, audio, and visual tools to assist the HR professional of the 21st Century!

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Keesha Buteau || Navigating Difficult Conversations

Communication skills are the most widely cited skill sets in job descriptions today regardless of the industry. Having to face difficult conversations in the workplace can leave many people feeling anxious and fearful. This session aims to make difficult conversations not so difficult! Participants will be provided realistic action steps and tools to utilize prior to, during, and after these conversations occur. This session will explore the following key points: 1. Before: Laying the Foundation • Understanding the value relationship building and management brings to communication. • Cy Wakeman’s Reality-Based Leadership and the importance of self-evaluation. 2. During: Communication skills • Verbal and non-verbal • Leadership Paradox - being direct and kind 3. After: Relationship Management • Tips to move the conversation and relationship forward

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Michael Victorian || Surviving in a Wilderness of Workplace Litigation: Strategies to Prevent and Defend Employment Lawsuits

With increasing workplace disputes and employee claims, HR professionals and business leaders must be prepared to manage risks and respond effectively to legal challenges. This session will cover recent trends in employment litigation, strategies to prevent lawsuits, and best practices for defending against claims related to discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage & hour disputes. Objectives include recognizing the most common employment law claims and litigation trends; Learn proactive strategies to prevent workplace disputes and mitigate legal exposure; and Understand best practices for handling employee complains and legal claims.

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Christina Boudreaux || Humanizing Talent Acquisition By Embracing a Digital Transformation Era

In today’s hyper-competitive talent market, traditional recruiting strategies need to evolve to attract, engage, and retain top talent. From leveraging cutting-edge AI tools to creating an authentic employer brand and delivering a white-glove candidate experience, human resources practitioners and business leaders alike must adapt to meet the expectations of the modern workforce. This engaging session will explore the latest trends and actionable strategies to elevate your talent acquisition efforts. Learn how to integrate AI and craft a compelling employer brand to stand out in the crowded hiring landscape. Gain practical insights to streamline your recruiting process, attract high-potential candidates, and create a hiring experience that turns job seekers into brand ambassadors for your organization.

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James Stodd || Compensation Challenges & Opportunities Under the 2nd Trump Administration

During his first week in office, President Donald Trump issued over 28 sweeping presidential actions affecting a broad range of workplace issues. And by the time of the 2025 LASHRM Annual Conference he, his new cabinet, and the conservative-leaning congress will have already taken other major steps toward shaping and implementing their vision for the nation and abroad.

This program aims to summarize the key changes that have already occurred as well as identify what will likely be the major trends, challenges, and opportunities for HR professionals under the new administration. It will focus on the on-going challenges of attracting, retaining, and engaging talent in general, and the practice of compensation & rewards management in particular. This will be accomplished through reviewing the most recent information available as well as making some sound HR-related predictions of what is most likely to come .

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Mechelle Roberthon || Survival of the Sharpest: Evaluating Your Leadership Team & Navigating Tough Performance Talks

Are you ready to stop being order-takers and start being true strategic partners to your leadership teams? We'll tackle the tough reality: placating leaders doesn’t drive results, but partnering with them does. You’ll learn practical strategies to challenge the status quo, influence leadership behavior, and step into your role as a builder of high-performing teams and cultures. It’s time to redefine what it means to lead alongside leaders—and it starts with you.

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Erin Kilgore || Charting the Path to Managing Leave Request

In this session, we will talk about the mandatory leave requirements under the federal Family Medical Leave Act; leave requests under the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (including unique leave requests, such as intermittent leave requests, indefinite leave requests, and requests to work from home); how workers’ compensation claims can throw nuances into these analyses; and being on the lookout for state law deviations.

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Matthew Meyer & Alex Drozd || Using Generative HR NOW, Tomorrow, and the FUTURE

Join us for a lively keynote where HR meets the future of AI! Matt Meyer, our tech-savvy AI tech guy, and Alex Drozd, the practical business guy, will guide you through the exciting world of AI in the HR workplace. Matt will showcase the latest in AI, demonstrating how these tools can be seamlessly integrated into your HR processes with minimal training. From tireless chatbots, you can deploy RIGHT NOW with no training, to autonomous agents that will change the "face" of HR, to Predictive Analysis that can help you find where future trouble might lie, before it happens, you’ll see how AI is revolutionizing and will continue to revolutionize HR. Alex will keep things grounded, providing practical insights and benefits of these technologies. Together, they’ll show you how AI can make HR tasks easier, more efficient, and even fun. Get ready to laugh, learn, and be inspired as Matt and Alex show you why AI is here now, and will only grow to more uses in the near and far future.


Misty McCraw || Taming the Talent Wilderness: Tracking Success with Human and Artificial Intelligence

In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving talent landscape, navigating the complexities of acquiring and managing top talent can feel like venturing into the wilderness. As HR professionals, we need both the sharp instincts of human intelligence and the precision of artificial intelligence (AI) to find, develop, and retain exceptional employees. This session will explore how to leverage AI in talent acquisition and management while keeping the human touch central to building relationships, fostering employee growth, and creating an adaptable workforce. Join us as we map out strategies to tame the talent wilderness and ensure long-term success for your organization. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the Role of AI in Talent Acquisition and Management - Attendees will explore how AI tools can enhance the recruitment process by sourcing, screening, and predicting candidate success, as well as how AI supports ongoing talent management through predictive analytics and employee engagement monitoring. 2. Learn How to Integrate Human Intelligence with AI Discover the critical role human insight plays in balancing AI’s efficiency. Attendees will learn how to leverage emotional intelligence (EQ) for candidate engagement, cultural fit assessments, and personalized employee development. 3. Develop Practical Talent Strategies Using a Hybrid Approach - Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for blending AI-driven insights with human-centric approaches to create a more effective and adaptable talent acquisition and management plan. 4. Identify Future Trends in Talent Acquisition and Management - Explore the future of AI and human collaboration in HR, and prepare for upcoming trends that will shape the way organizations track and nurture talent by 2030 and beyond.


Shari Simpson || Black Mirror: The Ethics of AI in HR

Navigate the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and human resources in this thought-provoking session that explores the ethical implications of AI-powered HR technologies. Through the lens of "Black Mirror"-style scenarios, participants will examine critical considerations in AI implementation, from algorithmic bias in recruitment to privacy concerns in employee monitoring. This cutting-edge session addresses pressing questions about responsible AI adoption, data governance, and maintaining human-centered practices in an increasingly automated HR landscape. Learn practical frameworks for evaluating AI solutions, implementing ethical guidelines, and ensuring transparency in AI-driven decision-making processes. Discover strategies to balance technological innovation with employee rights, diversity and inclusion, and organizational values. Essential for HR technology leaders, DEI professionals, and decision-makers involved in digital HR transformation who want to harness AI's potential while avoiding potential pitfalls and maintaining workforce trust. - Develop comprehensive ethical frameworks for evaluating and implementing AI-powered HR solutions while identifying and mitigating potential biases and privacy risks. - Create transparent governance structures and communication strategies that build trust and ensure responsible AI adoption across HR functions. - Design and implement safeguards and monitoring systems that maintain human oversight in AI-driven HR processes while maximizing the benefits of automation and predictive analytics.


Keesha Buteau || Positive Intelligence: Unlocking Your Full Potential

This session empowers participants by enhancing mental fitness and fostering a culture of high performance. Participants will learn to shift from a reactive, survival mindset to a proactive, thriving mindset. Through interactive discussions and exercises, they’ll discover how to manage their thoughts, reduce self-sabotage, and unlock their full potential. The session emphasizes building self-command, intercepting negative thought patterns, and cultivating empathy and innovative thinking. By the end, participants will be equipped with practical tools to transform challenges into opportunities and foster collaboration for both personal and professional growth. Ideal for individuals and groups seeking to enhance resilience, improve communication, and create a more positive, productive environment.


Marvis Hicks & Dr. Leah Raby || Navigating the Evolving Employment Laws in the Wild World of Talent Management

In today's ever-evolving workplace landscape, HR professionals must skillfully navigate the complex terrain of EEOC regulations and employment laws to attract, retain, and manage talent effectively. With shifting legal frameworks, increased regulatory scrutiny, and changing workforce dynamics, staying compliant while fostering an inclusive and legally sound workplace is more challenging than ever. This session will provide practical guidance on EEOC enforcement trends, evolving employment law updates, and best practices for mitigating legal risks in talent management. Attendees will gain insights into hiring, performance management, accommodations, terminations, and workplace investigations—all while ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination laws, wage and hour regulations, and more. This engaging session will map out a clear path through the legal wilderness, equipping you with the tools needed to keep your organization compliant and your workforce thriving.


Meagan West || Stay Awhile: How to Keep Your Best People Happy, Engaged & Thriving

With talent shortages and increasing competition, employee retention has become a top priority for HR leaders. This session will explore innovative strategies to boost engagement, reduce turnover, and create a workplace culture where employees want to stay. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights to retain their best talent while fostering long-therm commitment. Objectives: - Understand key drivers of employee retention in today's workforce. - Explore data-driven approaches to increase engagement and reduce turnover. - Learn how to build a culture of retention through leadership, benefits, and employee experience initiatives.


Tom Daly || Breaking the Rules: Leading in the Age of AI

In this fast-paced, provocative talk, we explore how artificial intelligence is rewriting the leadership playbook. Starting with a simple yet powerful question—“What if everything you knew about leadership is about to be rewritten?”—we dive into how AI isn’t just flipping the script, it’s tearing up the old one. Through personal anecdotes, humor, and real-world examples, the presentation highlights key leadership rules being challenged: gut instincts, lone-wolf decision-making, and the pressure to have all the answers. Leaders no longer need to be the smartest in the room—they need to embrace collaboration with AI, harness data-driven insights, and lean into experimentation. We also tackle the fears and ethics surrounding AI, reminding leaders that while AI can’t replace human intuition or empathy, it can supercharge their capabilities. Ultimately, the future of leadership isn’t about resisting AI; it’s about embracing this new sidekick to lead faster, smarter, and more ethically. The only rule in this AI-driven world? Don’t play by the old rules. Are you ready to lead differently? The future is already here.


Craig Broome || Unleashing the Power of Collaborative AI in Team Dynamics: Leading the Future of Work

In this engaging session, we will explore the transformative potential of Collaborative AI in enhancing team dynamics and driving organizational success. Designed for HR professionals in leadership and strategy roles, this presentation will cover the fundamentals of Collaborative AI, its benefits, and practical steps for successful implementation. Through real-world case studies and best practices, attendees will learn how to leverage AI tools to foster communication, boost productivity, and foster innovation within their teams. Additionally, we will address the ethical considerations and the importance of fostering a collaborative culture that embraces AI technologies. Learning Objectives: Understand Collaborative AI: Gain a comprehensive understanding of Collaborative AI and its key features, distinguishing it from traditional AI. Recognize the Benefits: Identify the various ways Collaborative AI can enhance team dynamics, including improved communication, increased productivity, data-driven decision-making, and innovation. Implement AI Tools: Learn practical steps for selecting and implementing AI tools tailored to your team’s specific needs, ensuring effective training and support. Adopt Best Practices: Explore best practices for integrating AI into team workflows, including fostering a collaborative culture, maintaining ethical standards, and continuously improving AI applications. Learn from Case Studies: Analyze real-world case studies to understand successful AI integration in organizations and apply these lessons to your own context. Prepare for the Future: Equip yourself with strategies to lead your teams in the future of work, leveraging AI to drive employee engagement, growth, and success. This session promises to leave you equipped and inspired to harness the power of Collaborative AI in your team dynamics, setting the stage for a more innovative and productive future.


Sherron Williams || Navigating the Evolving Workplace: Key Diversity, Affirmative Action, and Compliance Updates for 2025

As workplace regulations continue to shift, employers must stay ahead of changes in diversity initiatives, affirmative action, and compliance requirements. This session will provide a comprehensive update on the latest guidance from the EEOC, the U.S. DOL, and other regulatory bodies. Attendees will gain insights into emerging workplace trends, legislative updates, and best practices for fostering an inclusive and legally compliant work environment in 2025.


Melissa Thompson || Beyond the Resume: Hiring for Potential, Not Just Experience

With talent shortages, companies need to rethink how they hire - focusing on potential, adaptability, and growth mindset rather than just past experience. Objectives include: How to identify growth mindset and potential in interviews; When to take a chance on a candidate without the "perfect" resume; and How to develop early-career employees into high performers


Chris Baldwin || The Wild West Comes Alive Again - In the Modern Age in the form of AI

The work world has changed, and there’s no going back. Just like the untamed frontier of the past, AI has emerged as a powerful force that is reshaping our society, economy, and workplaces. Join us as we embark on a journey exploring the difference between “Hyper-Automation” and “AI,” as well as the differences between good AI, and less-than-good AI… which is giving rise to government and private regulation of its use in the workplace


Julie Burch || It's Stressful in the Wild! This isn't Your Mama's Stress Management

What does dessert and Elvis Presley have to do with stress management? Everything!     Business professionals across the country have recognized that workplace wellbeing and mental health are top priorities for successful organizations– And let’s face it…That is Stressful!     Everyone faces stress. It’s a fact of life.  What you do with it makes the difference between  enjoying your life or resenting it, between being challenged or being overwhelmed. The demands and the pace of our busy lives pressure us all.  Some master it and some do not.  The trick is to take back control!     In this dynamic, unconventional, and entertaining session, Julie will address the subject of stress from a refreshing common-sense point of view. She is not going to tell you to do yoga or take a deep breath, you already know that! Julie will give you a whole new way to manage the stress we ALL deal with on a daily basis. And the audience will laugh – a lot– while they learn!  The audience will learn how to function with stress, as well as how to reduce it. Julie will combine her stand up level comedy with real world strategies that will create a keynote that will have your audience talking for years to come!   Some of what the participants will learn:     How to identify the “good” stress and “bad” stress     Understanding our optimal stress     The answer to two key questions to manage any stressful situation     Have a guaranteed, surefire way to turn your love of dessert and the  King of Rock and Roll into a practical, real-world way to control your stress!   


Heather Mazac || Into the Wild of Employee Benefits Law: Surviving Compliance in 2025 and Beyond

Laws affecting employer-sponsored health plans continue to evolve rapidly, with no indication of slowing down. This session will provide an overview of the latest benefits compliance challenges, highlight current case law,  and provide HR leaders with the survival skills needed to stay ahead of potential risks. Objectives include * Understand key legal updates and current case law affecting employer-sponsored health plans * Learn how to navigate compliance with various legal requirements, including: ACA, CAA, MHPAEA, wellness programs, etc. * Explore best practices for updating benefits programs to align with evolving regulations


Karleen Green, Moderator, Heather Mazac, Oxana Bowman, and Scott Huffstetler || The Final Campfire: Burning Questions & Legal Answers

As our conference draws to a close, we invite you to gather around "The Final Campfire" for an engaging and interactive panel discussion. This session offers a unique opportunity to address the most pressing legal questions that have emerged throughout the event. Our esteemed panel of legal experts will provide insightful answers, share their diverse perspectives, and engage in dynamic discussions on the topics that matter most to you. Don't miss this chance to gain clarity on unresolved issues and participate in a collaborative exchange of ideas before we conclude our journey together. Join us for this culminating session to ensure you leave the conference with your burning questions answered and a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscapes we've navigated together.


Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization

P.O. Box 5210 Lafayette, LA 70502 or email us at LouisianaSHRM@gmail.com

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