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The North American HR Executive Summit

March 30-April 1, 2025 | Hollywood, FL

Hosted by Executive Platforms and the DEI Board

Meeting Agenda

Stream One Chair

Stream Two Co-Chair

Marybeth Gray

Marybeth Gray

Senior Vice President, Health & Welfare Benefits Consulting

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

Stream Three Co-Chair

Sam Shaddox

Sam Shaddox

General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer

SeekOut

Stream Four Co-Chair

Terry Terhark

Terry Terhark

Founder and CEO

NXTThing RPO

12:30pm - 4:30pm
12:30 pm
Registration and Lunch
1:20 pm
Welcome and Introductions
1:30 pm
Practitioner-Led Workshops – Stream 1: Staying the Course in DEI Amid Backlash
Errin Braddock

Errin Braddock

Chief Diversity Officer

Enterprise Mobility

Join an off-the-record discussion on how to maintain long-term commitment to DEI efforts amid mounting pressures and shifting priorities. We will share experiences, challenges, and strategies for navigating internal and external resistance while keeping DEI initiatives at the forefront of the business agenda.

1:30 pm
Practitioner-Led Workshops – Stream 2: Empowering Frontline Voices: Cultivating Inclusion for All
Patricia Granda

Patricia Granda

Senior Vice President, Global DE&I and People Relations

Colgate-Palmolive

Join us as we explore the critical role of inclusion in empowering our frontline workforce. This session will delve into strategies, best practices, and real-world examples to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace. We’ll discuss how to create a sense of belonging, address biases, and leverage diversity to drive innovation and business success. 

2:00 pm
Break
2:05 pm
Practitioner-Led Workshops – Stream 1: Embedding DEI Across Your Entire Organization
Denise Fields

Denise Fields

Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office

TransUnion

Compare notes with your counterparts at other big companies on how you’re embedding DEI across policies, systems, and functions. Denise Fields, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office at TransUnion will be leading the conversation and sharing her experience and expertise. In this off-the-record discussion, we’ll share best practices – and pitfalls to avoid – that will keep DEI from being a standalone mission and help it evolve into a rooted, sustainable mechanism through which your organization operates.

2:05 pm
Practitioner-Led Workshops – Stream 2: Navigating Religious and Cultural Inclusion in the Workplace
Loren Hudson

Loren Hudson

SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity & Platforms

Comcast

Convene with your peers in a confidential discussion on religious and cultural inclusion. We’ll explore ways to be inclusive of faiths and cultures beyond formal days of observance, best practices to increase religious and cultural awareness, and the potential missteps that could unintentionally alienate employees or customers.

2:35 pm
Break
2:40 pm
Practitioner-Led Workshops – Stream 1: Optimizing Your DEI Councils: Reducing Inefficiencies and Finding Improvements
Rich Robles

Rich Robles

VP & Chief Diversity Officer

Boston Children's Hospital

Join your counterparts at other billion-dollar organizations to discuss ways to make your DEI councils more efficient and effective. In this strictly confidential conversation, we’ll talk about how your councils are set up, what they’re designed to accomplish, what’s working well, and what’s detracting from your long-term vision.

2:40 pm
Practitioner-Led Workshops – Stream 2: Setting Early-Career Employees Up for Success
Darryl Farrow

Darryl Farrow

Vice President & Global Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer

McCormick & Company

As organizations seek to cultivate the next generation of leaders, supporting and developing early career talent is critical. Join us for an off-the-record discussion on setting up early DEI career employees for success. We will explore strategies for building strong foundations for new employees — from onboarding to mentorship and providing the resources they need to thrive.

3:10 pm
Networking (Snack) Break
3:25 pm
Peer Advisory Roundtables

Example Topics 

  • 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 
3:55 pm
Break
4:00 pm
Peer Advisory Roundtables

Example Topics 

  • 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 

Peer Practitioner Forum (invite only)

2:35pm - 3:35pm

What’s Working to Improve Long-Term Employee Experience?

Marybeth Gray

Marybeth Gray

Senior Vice President, Health & Welfare Benefits Consulting

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

Tonia McMillan

Tonia McMillan

Vice President- HR Strategy & Shared Services

Amtrak

Lisa Jacobi

Lisa Jacobi

Senior Vice President, Chief HR Officer

COCC

Jason Lioy

Jason Lioy

Chief People Officer

Dawn Foods

Juan Mejia

Juan Mejia

Vice President, Human Resources Commercial Global

Foot locker Inc.

Kate Burkhart

Kate Burkhart

Head of NA Talent Management and Employee Listening

Kraft Heinz Company

Mona Dine

Mona Dine

Chief Diversity Officer & General Manager, Corporate Human Resources

United States Steel Corporation

  • Highlighting why the Employee Experience matters, why it is the key to nurturing culture and driving engagement, and why so many organizations struggle to do it well
  • Offering new ideas, innovations, and inspirations based on real-world examples of what we are all doing to reinvigorate this pillar of Human Resources
  • Discussing how changing employee wants and needs in the New Normal of Work motivates all of us to try new things and experiment to better understand our people
  • Debating how AI and other automation tools are changing the way HR professionals will work on these issues
  • Exploring how we can best empower our teams now and in the future
3:40pm - 4:15pm

Content to be Announced

4:20pm - 5:20pm

The State of People and Inclusion in 2025

Ken Moses

Ken Moses

Chief People Officer

Cascade

LaTanya Langley

LaTanya Langley

Chief People & Legal Officer

Edgewell Personal Care

Stephanie Piimauna

Stephanie Piimauna

Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

Seminole Hard Rock

Jamey Martin

Jamey Martin

Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer

Suntory Global Spirits

  • Illustrating the evolution of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives with real-world examples of how success builds upon success
  • Demonstrating that a focus on embracing intersectionality, prioritizing equity in hiring and advancement opportunities, and fostering inclusive leadership makes for stronger, happier, and more productive organizations
  • Showcasing how broadening and deepening the pool of available talent while also positioning yourself as an employer of choice puts your organization in the best place to secure the people it needs to succeed
  • Where does DEI go next as we look forward to generational turnover and frequent disruption in labor markets? How should HR professionals harness the change already happening in our organizations to build positive outcomes?
5:25pm - 6:00pm

Overcoming Performance Challenges- Innovating Employee Engagement

Laura Watt

Laura Watt

Executive Vice President, HR - Diageo North America

Diageo North America

  • Identifying the motivations and behaviors that drive employee performance. Are we asking our people the right questions and giving them the right incentives to drive improvement?
  • Bringing fresh ideas to the science of employee engagement. How do Change Management experts, Culture experts, and Lean thinkers transform their organizations? How can we apply some of their best practices to Human Resources’ initiatives?
  • Demonstrating the ROI of experimentation and taking chances. HR can be the engine of change within an organization, but we need the freedom to try things and learn both from what works and what does not work
  • How should our new approaches to employee engagement fit into the larger conversation about the changing business and workforce and talent landscape we are all navigating?
6:00pm

Welcome Drinks Reception

6:30pm

6:45pm

7:30am - 8:15am

8:15am - 8:20am

Opening Remarks and Important Announcements

8:20am - 8:30am

Chair’s Welcome Address

8:30am - 9:05am

Mastering HR for Innovation and Employee Engagement

Charlotte Taylor

Charlotte Taylor

Vice President of People Experience Excellence

Google

  • Exploring how Google fosters a culture that encourages creativity and risk-taking, leading to groundbreaking innovations
  • Learning how Google uses data analytics to make informed HR decisions, from hiring to employee satisfaction, ensuring a fit between talent and company values
  • Discovering Google’s approach to employee development, offering continuous learning opportunities and growth through diverse, hands-on experiences
  • Understanding how Google empowers employees with autonomy, giving them the freedom to work on projects that align with their passions and the company’s goals
  • Delving into Google’s strategies for creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce
9:05am - 9:40am

Driving HR Excellence: Volkswagen’s Innovative Approach to Workforce Management

Gerrit Spengler

Gerrit Spengler

Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, North America

Volkswagen

  • Showcasing strategies for attracting top talent through innovative recruitment techniques and fostering a culture that retains high-performing employees
  • Developing comprehensive training and development initiatives aimed at upskilling employees, promoting continuous learning, and preparing the workforce for future challenges
  • Discussing Volkswagen’s commitment to create an inclusive workplace, implementing programs that promote diversity, and ensuring equal opportunities for all employees
  • Leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and data analytics to streamline HR processes, enhance employee experience, and improve decision-making
  • Offering innovative approaches to promoting work-life balance, mental health support, and overall employee wellbeing through flexible working arrangements and wellness programs
9:45am - 10:20am

From Interview No-Shows to New Hires: How Ace Hardware Transformed Hiring with AI.

Patrick Fenlon

Patrick Fenlon

Strategic Enterprise Account Executive

Paradox Inc.

Stef Nikitas

Stef Nikitas

Director of Talent Acquisition

Ace Hardware

  • Ace Hardware’s Hiring Challenge: Finding quality talent quickly while maintaining a great candidate experience
  • The Problems: Lengthy applications, manual scheduling, and high interview no-show rates
  • The Solution: Implementing “Grace,” a conversational AI assistant on top of Workday
  • Key Results: Increased applicant screening rates, reduction in interview no-shows, and more candidates engaged than ever
9:45am - 10:20am

The Digital Talent Evolution: Lessons from Sutherland’s AI-Driven Approach to Talent Agility​

Somya Mathur

Somya Mathur

VP of Talent Solutions

SeekOut

Eric Tinch

Eric Tinch

Chief People Officer

Sutherland

  • Hear how Sutherland fosters a digital mindset to anticipate and address tomorrow’s talent challenges by refocusing, reskilling, and reorienting their workforce​
  • Discover how AI-powered skill matching enables internal mobility​
  • Learn how the organization utilizes SeekOut across talent acquisition, talent management, and talent analytics to drive business impact​
9:45am - 10:20am

Maximizing ROI in Pay Equity Remediation

Anuj Mongia

Anuj Mongia

EVP of Products and Revenue

Trusaic

Ray Henry

Ray Henry

Associate Partner

Aon

Join us for a focused session on assessing the effectiveness of pay equity remediation efforts. Led by industry experts, this discussion will provide insights into how organizations can evaluate their pay equity strategies to ensure meaningful outcomes. You’ll hear from experts Anuj Mongia from Trusaic and Ray Henry from Aon. Attendees will learn about the methodologies for measuring the impact of remediation actions, identifying areas for improvement, and maintaining sustainable pay equity practices. This session aims to empower organizations to refine their approaches and achieve lasting equity.

Key Topics

  • Assessing the impact of remediation actions on pay equity outcomes
  • Methodologies for measuring and reporting pay equity effectiveness
  • Identifying persistent disparities and areas for further intervention
  • Integrating data analytics into ongoing pay equity evaluations
  • Developing sustainable practices for continuous pay equity improvement
9:45am - 10:20am

Process Intelligence (PQ): The Key to Building High Functioning Leaders

Shane Yount

Shane Yount

CEO & President

Competitive Solutions, Inc.

Most organizations conduct leadership training to attempt to develop and retain their leadership talent, however, the last few years have put an unprecedented strain on our leaders and organizations. Leadership fatigue is at an all-time high, as is workforce turnover, and the leaders of the future must possess much more than just IQ and EQ. Learn the four “Non-negotiable Elements of PQ” that make High Functioning Leaders:

  1. Is your organization currently suffering from “Leadership Fatigue?”
  2. Does your current Leadership Development program only highlight IQ and EQ?
  3. Are your emerging leaders staying or leaving the organization? Do they even know they are emerging leaders?
  4. Do you want to create a sustainable leadership culture of Clarity, Connectivity, and Consistency?
10:25am - 12:05pm

10:30 am – 10:50 am: Meeting Slot 1/Networking 

10:55 am – 11:15 am: Meeting Slot 2/Networking 

11:20 am – 11:40 am: Meeting Slot 3/Networking 

11:45 am – 12:05 pm: Meeting Slot 4/Networking 

These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.

12:10pm - 12:45pm

Transforming into a Learning Organization

Christine Motherwell

Christine Motherwell

Senior Vice President Human Resources

Coca-Cola

  • Exploring the essential elements of fostering a culture of continuous learning, including encouraging curiosity, providing resources, and supporting employee development
  • Learning how to integrate learning and development into your organizational strategy, aligning training programs with business goals and employee needs
  • Understanding the methods for evaluating the effectiveness of learning initiatives, including tracking progress, assessing skill acquisition, and measuring the impact on performance and innovation
  • Dissecting common challenges faced during the transition to a learning organization and strategies for overcoming obstacles to create a more agile and adaptive workplace
12:10pm - 12:45pm

Cultivating a Strong Workplace Culture and Sustainable Community Impact

Denise Abbott

Denise Abbott

Senior Vice President Human Resources

FedEx

  • Showcasing FedEx’s commitment to environmental protection and promoting a sustainability culture
  • Driving high employee engagement through strong corporate culture, emphasizing leadership, emotional engagement, and team dynamics
  • Highlighting the dedication to connecting people and possibilities responsibly, contributing positively to the communities served by FedEx
12:10pm - 12:45pm

Strategies for Cultivating Wellness and Growth

Demetris Crum

Demetris Crum

Vice President, Total Rewards

AbbVie

  • Discovering how fostering a comprehensive wellness program can enhance employee health, satisfaction, and productivity, leading to a more engaged workforce  
  • Learning about the importance of providing growth and development opportunities for employees, including training, mentorship, and career advancement pathways 
  • Offering strategies for creating a supportive and positive work environment that promotes mental well-being, work-life balance, and a sense of belonging 
  • Understand the role of leadership in championing wellness and growth initiatives, and how their commitment can drive organizational success and employee retention 
  • How to measure the effectiveness of wellness and growth programs, including key performance indicators and feedback mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement 
12:10pm - 12:45pm

Reimagining the Future of Inclusion: Moving Beyond Race and Gender

Adrienne Trimble

Adrienne Trimble

SVP, Global Chief Inclusion Officer

Visa

  • Understanding misrepresentation and broadening the scope of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts
  • Tackling common misconceptions surrounding workplace inclusion initiatives
  • Addressing the challenges of depoliticizing these efforts and exploring strategies to keep initiatives focused on unifying values and inclusive principles
  • Sharing practical approaches to reinvent and operationalize programs that foster equity and belonging in ways that resonate with all employees
  • Redefining workplace inclusion as a universal framework for fairness and inclusivity
12:45pm - 1:45pm

Explore this year’s themed lunch discussions led by industry leaders, where executives engage in focused conversations over a meal, discussing topics they’re passionate about alongside their peers.

Let Them: An HR Book Club Discussion

Rosangela Boschelli, SHRM-CP

Rosangela Boschelli, SHRM-CP

Director of Human Resources – EJD

Ace Hardware Corporation

Executive Compensation and Equity

Kristy Doucet-Touchet

Kristy Doucet-Touchet

VP of Talent

Advantage Capital

Upskilling and Reskilling for the Future

Kristen Rohrbaugh

Executive Director Human Resources

Ally Financial

The CHRO Imperative: Leading the Purpose Revolution

Shari Slate

Shari Slate

Former SVP and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

CVS Health

Driving Growth Through Diversity: Connecting DEI to Client Engagement and Success

Anthony C. Hood

Anthony C. Hood

EVP | Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

First Horizon

Keeping the Next Gen Workforce Engaged/Retained

William Guardado

William Guardado

Director of HR

Fresh Origins

Optimizing Hiring Costs: Leveraging Talent Pipelines and the Emerging Student Workforce

Rachel Stevens

Rachel Stevens

Sr. Director, Human Resources (Exec VP)

Indianapolis Airport Authority

Leading Growth During Uncertain Times

Alicia Moody

Alicia Moody

HR Director

MicroAire Surgical Instruments

Hiring on Potential Versus Experience

Chris Gootherts

Chris Gootherts

Vice President of People Operations & Talent

Selkirk Sport

Succession Planning for Executive leaders

Heather Godley

Heather Godley

Director of Human Resources

Stradley Ronon

Leveraging AI to Enhance Emotional Intelligence and Drive High-Performance Teams

Alan Winters

Alan Winters

Chief People Officer & Deputy Chief Compliance Officer

Teleperformance

Fostering HR - CFO Relations: How Employee Engagement Generates Revenues And Reduces Costs

Mark Fordyce

Mark Fordyce

Sales Director

Workvivo by Zoom

1:45pm - 2:20pm

HR Innovations to Empower People for a Thriving Workforce

Tim Massa

Tim Massa

Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer

Kroger

  • Exploring Kroger’s cutting-edge recruitment strategies and efficient onboarding processes designed to attract and integrate new talent swiftly and effectively
  • Taking a deep dive into comprehensive career development programs that provide employees with clear growth paths, continuous learning opportunities, and leadership development
  • Committing to initiatives and policies that promote a diverse and inclusive work environment, ensuring equitable opportunities and representation for all employees
  • Implementing advanced HR technologies, including AI and automation, to streamline HR operations, enhance employee engagement, and support data-driven decision-making
2:25pm - 3:00pm

The Future of Total Rewards: Refocusing on the Strategies that Matter Most

Ariane Hibo Ezeh

Ariane Hibo Ezeh

Sr. Speaker & Workplace Culture Strategist

O.C. Tanner

Organizations everywhere have used Total Rewards programs to attract and retain talent by offering a buffet of benefits to demonstrate the investment they make in their people. Yet despite these efforts, research shows that employees feel these programs often fail to address their most important needs.

Join Ariane Hibo Ezeh, as she shares the latest research from the 2025 Global Culture Report, revealing how a strategic focus on people enables organizations to redefine their Total Rewards programs and provide the right mix of offerings to better communicate authentic care.

Session insights include:

  • The value of placing employee-centered care at the core of Total Rewards offerings and creating environments where employees thrive
  • The significance of recognition in fostering organizational practices that support employee mental health
  • The role of organizations—and leaders—in providing transformative employee experiences during times of professional transition
2:25pm - 3:00pm

Building a Resilient Workforce with Well-being Programs

Marybeth Gray

Marybeth Gray

Senior Vice President, Health & Welfare Benefits Consulting

Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC

  • Introducing comprehensive well-being platforms that address physical, mental, and financial health 
  • Leveraging data to personalize well-being programs for individual employee needs 
  • Fostering a culture of well-being with interactive wellness challenges 
  • Integrating well-being initiatives into the broader HR strategy 
  • Measuring the impact of well-being programs on employee engagement and productivity 
2:25pm - 3:00pm

Understanding the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on DEI

Maria Rodriguez

Maria Rodriguez

Partner

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Chris Braham

Chris Braham

Partner

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

  • The rescission of EO 11246 and its impact on government contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and other recipients of federal awards formerly subject to the EO
  • The future of DEI initiatives in the workplace
2:25pm - 3:00pm

Overcoming Performance Challenges — Innovating Employee Engagement

  • Identifying the motivations and behaviors that drive employee performance. Are we asking our people the right questions and giving them the right incentives to drive improvement?
  • Bringing fresh ideas to the science of employee engagement. How do Change Management experts, Culture experts, and Lean thinkers transform their organizations? How can we apply some of their best practices to Human Resources’ initiatives?
  • Demonstrating the ROI of experimentation and taking chances. HR can be the engine of change within an organization, but we need the freedom to try things and learn both from what works and what does not work
  • How should our new approaches to employee engagement fit into the larger conversation about the changing business and workforce and talent landscape we are all navigating?
3:05pm - 4:15pm

3:05 pm – 3:25 pm: Meeting Slot 5/Networking 

3:30 pm – 3:50 pm: Meeting Slot 6/Networking 

3:55 pm – 4:15 pm: Meeting Slot 7/Networking 

These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.

4:20pm - 4:55pm

Redefining Remote and Hybrid Work Strategies

Amanda Poole

Amanda Poole

Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer

Bristol Myers Squibb

  • Encouraging your team to embrace a flexible approach to work, while setting clear boundaries around work hours and availability
  • Fostering a strong team culture to cultivate a strong sense of team spirit through regular virtual team-building activities, social events, and regular check-ins
  • Offering examples of how to encourage collaboration and create opportunities for cross-functional work
  • How to make sure your team is taking care of their physical and mental health by encouraging regular breaks, providing access to mental health resources, and promoting healthy habits
4:55pm - 5:55pm

Live Interactive Musical Keynote: Quest to be the Best!

Daniel Myers

Daniel Myers

Sr. Fellow at Haslam School of Business University of Tennessee Retired EVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Mondelez International

Mondelez International (Former)

  • Creating an inspired Supply Chain Organization that is driven to be the best is a legacy we all want to create. In this multi-media
    presentation, Daniel Myers and four world class musicians will share what it takes to create A Band, A team that is committed to
    being the best. You will not want to miss this amazing keynote that takes you on a musical journey required to WOW the audience.
    • Everyone wants to be the Best, but all musicians are not willing to put for the effort to be the best. Individual Mastery takes a
      10,000-hour journey
    • Learn how great musicians in your Band must be totally focused on delivering the perfect show
    • Learn from the very best within your genre but also across all genres and then add your Band’s creativity to go beyond!
    • You as conductor may not be the best musician but you must be the best coach
    • There is a time for harmony, for unison but also for solos and then for the unified power packed chorus
    • “You are only as good as your last standing ovation”- Kenny Rodgers
5:55pm - 6:00pm

Chair’s Closing Remarks

6:00pm

6:30pm

6:45pm

7:30am - 8:25am

7:45am - 8:20am

Beyond Engagement: How HR Leaders are Building Employee-Centric Cultures That Last

Executive to be Announced

Seramount

In today’s workplace, the shared beliefs that drive organizational success are evolving. While most organizations adopt a leadership-driven culture, the future lies in cultivating an employee-centric approach—one where employees not only experience the culture but shape it.

This session will unpack strategies to uncover how employees experience your culture, identify gaps, and amplify culture promoters while addressing detractors. By centering the employee voice, you can create a culture that drives engagement, alignment, and results across all levels of your organization.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand the fundamental shift from leadership-driven to employee-centric organizational culture
  • Explore how listening strategies uncover actionable insights about employee experiences
  • Learn how to identify culture promoters and detractors to close cultural gaps
  • Discover a roadmap for embedding listening as a foundational strategy for sustainable success
7:45am - 8:20am

The Future of Seasonal Hiring – Follett’s Winning Strategy

Jamie Minier

Jamie Minier

President

NXTThing RPO

Lori Hensler

Lori Hensler

Chief People Officer

Follett

Join us to discover how Follett Corporation, a 150-year-old company serving over 1,000 universities and schools, transformed its high-volume seasonal hiring process through its partnership with NXTThing RPO. Faced with the challenge of hiring 10,000–15,000 workers during peak seasons, Follett implemented a cutting-edge recruitment strategy focused on speed, quality, and exceptional candidate experiences. Through a combination of advanced technology, predictive analytics, and a strategic recruiting partnership, Follett achieved remarkable results in staffing efficiency, retention, and cost reduction.

This session will explore how Follett adapted to evolving labor market pressures and developed a state-of-the-art hiring program that balances automation, personalization, and compliance to deliver a seamless experience for candidates and employees alike.

Key Takeaways:

  • Data-Driven Success: Learn how Follett leverages predictive analytics and market insights to forecast hiring needs, understand fallout rates, and fully staff retail locations with precision
  • Accelerated Speed of Hire: Explore Follett’s highly automated hiring process, driven by AI and advanced workflows, enabling candidates to progress from application to offer within minutes while ensuring compliance and improving satisfaction
  • Seamless Payroll Integration: Understand Follett’s decision to directly payroll seasonal employees, enhancing both the employee experience and operational efficiency
  • Continuous Improvement: Discover the strategic steps Follett took with its recruiting partner to refine its hiring system, achieve better staffing metrics, and deliver exceptional experiences for candidates and employees
  • What’s Next: Get a glimpse of Follett’s future plans for innovation in seasonal hiring, focusing on meeting job seekers where they are and creating a world-class candidate journey
  • This session is ideal for organizations managing high-volume hiring who want to stay ahead of market pressures, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall candidate experience
8:25am - 8:35am

Chair’s Opening Remarks

8:35am - 9:10am

Leveraging Technology to Improve How Associates Engage with and Understand Their Pay and Benefits

Kim Lupo

Kim Lupo

Senior Vice President, Global Total Rewards, People Operations/Digital Acceleration, & Global People Partner

Walmart

  • Reviewing how employees have traditionally interacted with their pay and benefits with an eye for opportunities for improvement
  • What does a technological solution need to offer for a workforce as large and diverse as Walmart’s? How do we ensure the options we choose are robust, flexible, scalable, easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to update and upgrade over time?
  • Walking through our experience bringing these new tools online from pilot project to go-live on a large-scale rollout
  • Discussing what we have learned so far from our experience bringing these new capabilities to our employees
  • Demonstrating ROI not just in employee experience, but in retention rates, improved capabilities from other departments, and other performance improvements
  • What can other organizations learn from our experience?
9:10am - 9:45am

Fireside Chat: HR as a Business Driver

Betty Larson

Betty Larson

Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

Merck

  • Positioning HR to deliver capabilities and cultivate culture
  • Preparing the workforce for future organizational needs
  • Promoting vitality across the workforce
9:50am - 10:25am

Brewing Success: Starbucks’ HR Strategies for a Dynamic Workforce

Jez Langhorn

Jez Langhorn

Senior Vice President, Partner Resources

Starbucks

  • Sharing Starbucks’ approach to attracting diverse talent through unique recruitment campaigns and seamless onboarding processes that integrate new hires into the company culture quickly
  • Utilizing digital tools and platforms to enhance HR operations, improve employee engagement, and provide real-time feedback and support to staff
  • Solutions to enhance employee skills, foster career growth, and promote lifelong learning
9:50am - 10:25am

Unifying Global Benefits for a Seamless Employee Experience

Abigail Epane-Osuala

Abigail Epane-Osuala

Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer & HR Strategic Initiatives

GE HealthCare

  • Implementing a core benefits package globally, tailored to local needs while ensuring consistency in employee experience
  • Utilizing a phased approach for benefits rollout, addressing complexities in different regions and ensuring feasibility through detailed planning and review
  • Discussing centralized IT interfaces and standardized communication strategies to streamline benefits management and delivery across multiple countries
  • Addressing challenges such as data gaps and resource availability by redesigning processes and maintaining a flexible project management approach
9:50am - 10:25am

Mental Health in the Workplace

Daniela Proust

Daniela Proust

Senior Vice President, Head of People & Organization

Siemens USA

  • Sharing examples of how to take a more proactive role in supporting the mental health of employees and recognizing that a healthy workforce is essential to a thriving business
  • Creating a culture of support around mental health in the workplace, through initiatives such as mental health awareness campaigns, employee resource groups focused on mental health, and regular communication about available resources and support
  • Encouraging work-life balance through policies such as flexible work schedules, remote work options, and paid time off to help reduce stress and prevent burnout
  • Training managers to recognize signs of mental health issues in their employees and providing them with tools to address these issues
9:50am - 10:25am

Embedding Equity and Inclusion as a Core Competency: Moving from Values to Practice

Kyle Pierce

Kyle Pierce

Chief DEI Officer

LyondellBasell

  • Examining how LyondellBasell incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion into core business values, aligning it with essential standards like safety and operational excellence
  • Discussing strategies for equitable hiring, performance evaluations, and promotion practices, ensuring that policies are designed to identify and remove biases
  • Demonstrating the role of employee networks in fostering an inclusive community, supporting historically underrepresented groups, and promoting allyship and professional growth
10:25am - 11:15am

10:30 am – 10:50 am: Meeting Slot 8/Networking

10:55 am – 11:15 am: Meeting Slot 9/Networking

These mutually agreed-upon conversations are arranged and facilitated by Executive Platforms staff to ensure attendees have valuable discussions about their top-of-mind questions, challenges, and opportunities.

10:45am - 11:15am

Executive focus groups are informal moderated discussions among peers, held during networking breaks outside the summit agenda. No sign-up is required; delegates and speakers can join any group of interest.

Where’s the Loyalty…Employees are Quick to Jump Ship, But is it Their Fault?

Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson

VP HR US

Guerbet

11:20am - 11:55am

Building a Data-Driven HR Strategy: Leveraging Analytics for Better Decision-Making

Executive to be Announced

Bright Horizons

  • Exploring the power of HR analytics in shaping strategic decisions, from workforce planning to talent management, and how data can drive better outcomes for the organization
  • Learn how to determine the most critical HR metrics that align with organizational goals and how to track them effectively
  • Discover how predictive analytics can be used to anticipate talent needs, identify high-potential employees, and reduce turnover
  • Discussing the importance of integrating data from various HR systems to create a comprehensive view of the workforce and improve decision-making
11:20am - 11:55am

A Crisis of Connection

David Bator

David Bator

Managing Director, Achievers Workforce Institute

Achievers LLC

The latest research from Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) finds that just 15% of employees feel connected to their colleagues and only 28% feel capable of meeting unexpected challenges.

And yet it’s connection – to the mission of the organization, managers, and colleagues at work – that drives the resilience of individuals and teams so they can survive and thrive in uncertainty.

Join AWI’s Managing Director, David Bator, for a tactical and practical perspective on the central role of recognition in nurturing frequent and meaningful connections, and how organizations can shape the behaviors that help their people, their teams, and their company grow.

11:20am - 11:55am

Boosting Employee Retention with Personalized Career Pathing

Executive to be Announced

Guild Education

  • Using data analytics to create personalized career development plans for employees
  • Implementing career pathing tools that align individual goals with organizational needs
  • Fostering continuous learning and growth through personalized development programs
  • Tracking employee progress and adjust career paths in real-time
  • Increasing employee satisfaction and retention by offering clear growth opportunities
11:20am - 11:55am

Improve Employee Retention, Engagement, Job Satisfaction, and Quality of Life Through Contributions to Family Care

  • Understanding the impact family care and personal caregiving has on your employees’ personal and professional lives
  • Demonstrating the ROI of going beyond the normal benefits options to focus specifically on helping employees help their loved ones
  • Differentiating your organization from your competitors in the race to attract and retain top talent
  • Maximizing the effectiveness of your company’s contributions while staying within budget constraints
  • Illustrating real-world examples and case studies where organizations have seen results from a family-centric focus
12:00pm - 12:35pm

Fireside Chat: Is HR Fit for Future?

Shannon Sisler

Shannon Sisler

Chief People Officer

Crocs, Inc.

  • Redefining the future of HR to align with the needs and aspirations of upcoming generations
  • Rethinking talent acquisition and development to address the gap in progressive, future-ready candidates
  • Balancing the value HR brings to the business with what’s best for the HR function itself, while advocating for a seat at the leadership table
  • Pushing boundaries to innovate and ensure HR drives both organizational success and long-term resilience
12:00pm - 12:35pm

HR’s Role in Managing a CEO Transition by Using a Strong Employee Culture as the Foundation

Ola Snow

Ola Snow

Chief Human Resources Officer

Cardinal Health

  • How HR and communications plays an integral role during a leadership change and fosters trust through transparency
  • Best practices for tracking internal and external progress, alongside the importance of succession planning for long-term resilience
  • HR’s pivotal role in recruiting, developing and retaining talent and exploring how to approach culture in a unique way
  • Why mental health is critical for organizational success and how prioritizing it has driven progress across the company
12:00pm - 12:35pm

The CHRO as the Enterprise Transformation Architect

Larry Kleinman

Larry Kleinman

EVP & CHRO

Highmark Health

  • Discussing the advancements in AI, including bots, NLP, and machine learning, and the recent breakthroughs in GenAI and tools like ChatGPT and how they have redefined business operations and HR’s strategic role
  • Exploring how CHROs have a unique opportunity to lead transformative change, positioning HR at the forefront of innovation and organizational growth like never before
  • Sharing 10 keys to understand your competitive landscape, build a differentiated strategy, and create a robust business plan to architect serious change
  • Shifting the culture and workforce by reimagining and inspiring the workforce, reinvesting and reskilling
  • Recognizing the importance of managing the lifecycle—from startup to going public and how critical it is to seize the moment
12:00pm - 12:35pm

Embedding Inclusion and Diversity Across the Business

Shenece Johns

Shenece Johns

Head of Global Inclusion and Diversity

JCPenney

  • Partnering across departments to integrate inclusion and diversity as a foundational element of your brand and culture
  • Collaborating with multicultural marketing teams to create campaigns that resonate with diverse communities and authentically reflect their values
  • Advancing diverse representation at all levels to build a workforce reflective of the communities your organization serves
  • Creating a culture of inclusion to empower employees, customers, and communities to thrive
12:35pm - 1:35pm
1:35pm - 2:10pm

Embracing Empathy, Transparency, and Employee Empowerment

  • How cultivating empathy within the workplace can lead to deeper connections, understanding, and more meaningful inclusion efforts across all levels of the organization
  • Learning the importance of transparency in inclusion initiatives, including openly sharing goals, progress, and challenges to build trust and accountability
  • Exploring strategies for empowering employees to take an active role in fostering inclusivity, from participation in decision-making to leading and contributing to programs that promote equity and belonging
  • Developing a dynamic strategy for workplace inclusion that evolves with the organization, ensuring ongoing reflection, feedback, and adaptation to meet the needs of all employees
1:35pm - 2:10pm

Enhancing Employee Experience Through Community Learning

Liz Almeida

Liz Almeida

Chief Human Resources Officer

Panasonic North America

  • Exploring how Panasonic fosters a culture of continuous learning and collaboration through community-driven initiatives
  • Discussing the benefits of peer-to-peer learning platforms that enable employees to share expertise and learn from each other
  • Learning how Panasonic ensures that learning opportunities are accessible to all employees, promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace
  • Discovering how Panasonic uses digital platforms to facilitate community learning, making it easier for employees to connect and grow together
  • Examining how Panasonic tracks and measures the effectiveness of community learning initiatives in boosting employee engagement and satisfaction
1:35pm - 2:10pm

PepsiCo’s Approach to a Thriving Workplace

Mónica Bauer Mengelberg

Mónica Bauer Mengelberg

Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

PepsiCo

  • Discovering how PepsiCo fosters a culture where employees are encouraged to share their feedback, driving continuous improvement in the workplace
  • Exploring PepsiCo’s comprehensive wellbeing programs designed to support employees’ mental, physical, and financial health, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling work life
  • Learn about PepsiCo’s commitment to career growth through personalized learning opportunities, mentoring, and skill development programs tailored to individual needs
  • Understanding how PepsiCo is adapting to the changing work environment with flexible working arrangements, allowing employees to balance their personal and professional lives effectively
  • Examining how PepsiCo’s approach to recognizing and rewarding employees not only motivates high performance but also reinforces the company’s values and culture
1:35pm - 2:10pm

Building the Business Case for Belonging and Diversity

Amy Hanneman

Amy Hanneman

Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Senior HR Business Partner

Northwestern Mutual

  • Understanding the financial and organizational benefits of fostering inclusive workplaces.
  • Exploring the link between diverse teams and enhanced innovation, productivity, and performance.
  • Leveraging data and metrics to quantify the impact of inclusion and equity efforts.
  • Addressing common challenges and resistance to implementing programs that promote workplace diversity and inclusion.
  • Offering strategies to align inclusion-focused goals with overall business objectives.
2:15pm - 2:50pm

Driving Impactful Change Through Inclusion and Fairness

Amelia Hardy

Amelia Hardy

Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, SVP Talent Acquisition

Best Buy

  • Exploring the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in fostering inclusive workplace cultures.
  • Aligning initiatives promoting inclusivity and fairness with broader business strategies to drive organizational success.
  • Understanding the challenges and opportunities in implementing meaningful programs that enhance workplace equity and belonging.
  • Sharing insights on Best Buy’s journey and approach to advancing an inclusive and equitable work environment.
  • Offering practical takeaways to inspire and inform efforts to build a culture of inclusion in other organizations.
2:50pm - 3:00pm

Chair’s Closing Address

Please note: This agenda is subject to change based on speaker availability and scheduling.