We recently wrapped up our first in-person gathering of 2025 at the North American HR Executive Summit (NAHRES) — the premier gathering of enterprise HR leaders.
The two-and-a-half-day summit held in Hollywood, FL brought together 50+ attendees from over 300 global organizations and featured renowned speakers from companies including Comcast, TransUnion, and Boston Children’s Hospital, and more.
Let’s dive into some of the critical diversity, equity, and inclusion topics we covered.
Practitioner-Led Workshops
Before the official start of the Summit, DEI Board members met in a confidential, members-only setting to dive deeper into their toughest challenges through six practitioner-led workshops, six peer advisory roundtables, and one-on-one connections.
- Staying the Course in DEI Amid Backlash — led by Errin Braddock, Chief Diversity Officer at Enterprise Mobility
- Empowering Frontline Voices: Cultivating Inclusion for All — led by Patricia Granda, Senior Vice President, Global DE&I and People Relations at Colgate-Palmolive
- Embedding DEI Across Your Entire Organization — led by Denise Fields, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office at TransUnion
- Navigating Religious and Cultural Inclusion in the Workplace — led by Loren Hudson, SVP & Chief Diversity Officer for Connectivity & Platforms at Comcast
- Optimizing Your DEI Councils: Reducing Inefficiencies and Finding Improvements — led by Rich Robles, VP & Chief Diversity Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital
- Setting Early-Career Employees Up for Success — led by Darryl Farrow, Vice President & Global Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer at McCormick & Company
Peer Advisory Roundtables
Unlike traditional conference formats with pre-set agendas, these dynamic, interactive discussions were shaped entirely by attendees.
Participants suggested the topics they cared about most, voted in real time, and joined the conversations that resonated with their current challenges. This peer-driven format ensured every roundtable was timely, relevant, and rooted in the real-world experiences of DEI leaders.
The best on-site discussions will grow as full community conversations in the coming weeks and months as we dig deeper into these challenges together.
- DEI Scenario Planning: Mitigating Risk
- Affirmative Action: Corporate Impact and Reviewing Existing Programs/Protocol
- DEI Metrics: Setting Goals and Objectives and Evaluating Performance
- Engaging and Retaining a Diverse Workforce
- Sustaining as A DEI Practitioner: How Do You Prioritize Mental Health and Well-being?
- Psychological Safety: Framework, Programs, and Communication
- DEI Staff for Global Organizations: Resources, Budgets, Support
- Leading DEI Through Recession, Inflation, and Layoffs
The best on-site discussions will grow as full community conversations in the coming weeks and months as we dig deeper into these challenges together.
North American HR Executive Summit Keynotes
In addition to our private DEI Board Peer Practitioner Forum, members experienced thought-provoking NAHRES presentations from industry leaders who shared transformative insights, emerging trends, and strategic visions for the future. These carefully selected keynote speakers brought fresh perspectives and actionable strategies that inspired and challenged DEI leaders’ thinking.
Fireside Chat: Rethinking Retention: Modern Solutions to Everyday Workforce Challenges
Led by Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast.
Embedding Equity and Inclusion as a Core Competency: Moving from Values to Practice
Presented by Kyle Pierce, Chief DEI Officer at LyondellBasell.
Strategies for Cultivating Wellness and Growth
Led by Demetris Crum, Vice President of Total Rewards at AbbVie.
Transforming into a Learning Organization
Presented by Christine Motherwell, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at The Coca-Cola Company.
Watch the rest of the NAHRES25 presentation videos here.
Private Member Dinner
After a full day of conversations and connections, DEI Board members attended an exclusive dinner to unwind, relax, and connect in a more informal setting. This private dinner offered a unique opportunity to build deeper relationships, share experiences, and engage in meaningful conversations with peers outside of the structured sessions, fostering lasting connections.
