Is This Pay Fair? A Practical HR Guide to
Market Data, Pay Ranges & Internal Equity.
Katie Heuermann, Human Resources Administrator
National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF)
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 11:30a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Downtown Marina (Free Garage Parking)
Session Description:
Compensation decisions are rarely as simple as finding a market number and matching it. HR professionals must balance external market data, internal equity, pay ranges, employee experience, organizational resources, and business needs—often without a dedicated compensation team or perfect information. In this practical session, participants will learn how to approach common compensation questions with greater confidence and consistency. We’ll explore how to interpret market data, understand and use pay ranges, evaluate employee pay using tools such as compa-ratio and range penetration, and recognize potential concerns such as pay compression, internal inequities, and market misalignment. Through real-world examples, participants will also learn a simple framework for evaluating compensation decisions and communicating recommendations to leaders and employees. Whether you’re building compensation practices from the ground up or simply want to feel more confident answering the question, “Is this pay fair?”, this session will provide practical tools and concepts you can put to work right away.
About the Speaker:
Katie Heuermann is the Human Resources Administrator for the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF), where she leads the organization’s HR function and supports employees who are deeply committed to NMMF’s mission to improve and protect life for marine mammals, humans, and our shared oceans. As an HR department of one, Katie’s work spans the full employee lifecycle, including compensation, employee relations, performance management, benefits, talent development, and organizational culture. Katie brings a practical, people-centered approach to HR, with a particular interest in creating thoughtful and equitable compensation practices that organizations can realistically put into action. She is currently expanding her expertise in compensation through WorldatWork and is pursuing the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®) designation. Katie believes the best HR practices balance data and sound business decisions with an understanding of the people behind the numbers.
Luncheon Costs
-
$30 Member | $35 Non-Member (no refunds) | $20 Students
-
First Time Attendees (50% discount) , email info@cbshrm.org to get a code. (no refunds)
Professional Development Credits Pending:
