Speakers

Tracey Arnish is an enterprise executive and HR transformation leader who currently serves as the Vice President and Head of People Products for People Operations (POps) at Google. In this role, she leads the POps Products organization—the product management and strategy engine responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that defines Google’s employee experience in the AI era. Under her leadership, the team applies consumer-grade product rigor to internal HR processes, seamlessly blending technology with human-centric design to delight users.

A passionate advocate for unlocking human potential, Tracey is known for helping organizations align their employees’ highest skills and motivations to drive sustained high performance. She finds deep purpose in illuminating the future potential of talent and enabling accelerated professional growth. As a recognized thought leader, she frequently shares insights on the “HR-to-Product” shift, the evolution of AI from a tool into a true teammate, and how to redesign human resources for a future-fit workforce.

Prior to her current role, she served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Google Cloud, guiding the people strategy for one of the company’s fastest-growing divisions. Before joining Google, Tracey served as the Chief Talent Officer at SAP. Over her 20+ year global career, Tracey has specialized in driving enterprise talent strategy across various industries.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Tracey is deeply committed to community impact and governance. Her board experience includes serving as the Board Chair for Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon and as an advisory member to the Beedie School of Business.

Tami is a transformational human capital leader who architects high-impact strategies that accelerate business success. Throughout her career, she has held top global HR roles at industry giants including Mars Inc. and Danone and served as CHRO and CPO at private equity-backed companies like 24-Hour Fitness and National Veterinary Associates, overseeing workforces ranging from 1,000 to 45,000 employees.

As a strategic change agent, Tami excels at creating winning cultures, building high-performance teams, and driving talent development that directly aligns with business objectives. She has successfully led large-scale organizational transformations while developing strategies that support rapid growth and value creation.

In October 2024, Tami joined LA28 as Chief People Officer, leading the comprehensive people strategy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. In this role, she’s building and preparing a dynamic workforce of employees and volunteers as the city of LA welcomes the world to the largest global sporting event.

Betty Larson joined the company in April 2024 as the executive vice president and chief human resources officer. She is responsible for global human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion for the company.

She has extensive domain expertise with more than two decades in the healthcare industry. She most recently served as chief people officer of GE HealthCare, a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics and digital solutions innovator. She provided strategy and leadership for GE HealthCare’s human resources and corporate marketing and communications teams.

Betty also served as executive vice president and chief human resources officer of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) from 2018 to 2022, a global medical technology company, where work responsibilities also included strategy and leadership for communications and social investing. Betty joined BD through the acquisition of C.R. Bard Inc., a medtech company focused on vascular, urology and surgical specialty products. She served as C.R. Bard’s chief human resources officer responsible for human resources and communications from 2014 until the acquisition in 2017.

Betty spent the first 16 years of her career at Baxter International, a global medtech company. She was in human resources leadership roles of increasing responsibility in their pharmaceuticals, renal therapies, vaccines, bio pharmaceuticals and hospital products businesses.

She is on the board of directors for Baxter Credit Union. She has served on the board of Fortrea, contributing as a member of the nominating, corporate governance and compliance committee. Betty also served on the board for the Overlook Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds to support the New Jersey-based Overlook Medical Center in its mission to provide high-quality care to patients. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Illinois, and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University.​

Katharyne Gabriel leads HR for Coca‑Cola’s North America Operating Unit, overseeing people strategies that support 6,200 employees across plants, warehouses, and offices—driving over $17 billion in revenue. With a reputation as a transformative HR leader, she has guided global organization design and talent strategy initiatives across corporate functions in more than 200 countries.

Prior to her current role at Coca‑Cola, Katharyne held senior HR leadership positions at several industry giants:

• Led global transformation efforts in operating model optimization.
• Advanced people strategies across vast networks during her time with IHG Hotels & Resorts and YUM! Brands, where she supported thousands of employees.
• Began her impactful HR journey at The Home Depot, contributing to M&A integration, employee relations, supply chain, and operations, and ultimately serving as Chief of Staff to the CHRO.

Katharyne is a respected voice in HR, frequently invited to speak on leadership and talent development—including guest lectures at Texas A&M’s Master of Engineering Leadership Series.

Eric Dozier (he/him/his) is executive vice president and chief people officer of Eli Lilly and Company.

Since joining Lilly in 1998, Eric has had a diverse career of assignments across the organization and the globe. Prior to his current role, Eric served as vice president, ethics and compliance and most recently as chief commercial officer for Loxo@Lilly. He has held assignments within Lilly’s Diabetes, Neuroscience and Oncology business units and was chief marketing officer and a neuroscience business leader in Japan. He also served as general manager for Lilly Puerto Rico.

Eric earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University.

Eric also serves on several civic boards within greater Indianapolis, as well as the IndianapolisAirport Authority Board.

From Saskatoon, Canada, Morris studied law and after graduating and working with several international law firms, she started her own firm. Kimberly specialised in various areas of the law, across Commercial, IP, Media, Investigation and Compliance.

She then moved to London before finally settling in Zurich, where she joined FIFA Transfer Matching System in 2012. Initially working as Head of Integrity & Compliance before moving into the General Manager role, she oversaw the governance and regulation of the international football transfer market, and recommended reforms of the transfer system.

Soon after, Morris was responsible for the integration of the company – a Swiss subsidiary – into the parent organisation FIFA, before moving in-house at the global governing body as Head of Global Player Transfers & Compliance.

Morris has been Chief People, Technology & Operations Officer at FIFA since 2019 – leading a global, multi-faceted and multinational team that is tasked with providing operational services and support across the FIFA business and supporting its people worldwide.

Anna Lundström is Spotify’s Chief Human Resources Officer. She oversees all aspects of our human resources, including the people strategy supporting employees who drive Spotify’s business and technology operations across more than 180 markets. Ms. Lundström joined Spotify in 2016 and has since served in multiple roles, including most recently leading human resources for our Americas Region and the Business organization. Prior to joining Spotify, she held senior human resources leadership positions at Nasdaq and Teracom. Ms. Lundström serves on the board of directors of Cappy. She holds a Master of Social Science in Human Resource Management from Lund University, majoring in Business Law.

Neena Potenza is the Global Strategic Initiatives Manager, People and Culture, at Ingka Group. In her role, Neena is responsible for the roll out and development of the Ingka Group people strategy that defines the global approach the company takes for its over 174,000 coworkers in 32 countries. In addition, she drives the culture and values work between Ingka and its franchisor, Inter IKEA. Neena has over 25 years of experience from various human resources roles within IKEA, starting in the UK in 1993. Potenza’s passion is people, and she truly believes IKEA co-workers to be the greatest asset of the company. She brings togetherness at the core of her leadership and fundamentally believes that all co-workers come to work to do the best they can. As a leader, Potenza is inclusive, open and passionate to move people and the business forward.

Theresita Richard (she/her)  is a visionary and purpose-driven leader fiercely committed to expansive liberation, humanity, and possibility. She is on a mission to transform the world of work, cultivating environments where humans can flourish in their fullness. She is the Chief People & Culture Officer and Global Head of Justice & Belonging for Patagonia and brings over 20 years of experience in diversity, equity & inclusion, organizational effectiveness, experience design, operations leadership, and human resources. Previously Theresita led Capital One’s Global Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, where she drove the work to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the company. She currently serves on the board of Out & Equal, a global convener, thought leader, and catalyst actively working to embed equity and achieve workplaces of equality and belonging.

Theresita’s career has spanned the consumer goods, retail, and fintech industries and she has positively impacted the full range of organizations from building anew to broad-scale transformation. She is known for propelling organizations forward with a deep focus on talent, culture, and innovation. Theresita is adept at delivering holistic people strategies that ensure businesses are equipped and enabled to achieve their mission while unlocking thriving customer and employee experiences. She sees problems as opportunities and her goal is to always approach with curiosity, creating sustainable solutions for the future and challenging the status quo to solve needs in new and meaningful ways.

Theresita started her career in operations after earning her B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research from Cornell University. It was there that she discovered her passion for creating experiences around people and went on to pursue her M.A. in Human Resource Development from George Washington University. Over the years, she has worked with various Fortune 500 companies including Procter & Gamble, Target, Home Depot and Starbucks.

On a personal note, she loves great quotes, all things creative, impromptu dance breaks and real live books (there’s nothing like the smell of a new book). Her family is one of the best parts of her and they inspire her to be better every day. She is fueled by coffee and rich conversations (even better when those things come together) and is a lover of movement, color, texture, and depth…cue her deep passion for the arts and finding inspiration all around her.

One of her favorite quotes that she strives to live by is “As you think about your own path to daring leadership, remember Joseph Campbell’s wisdom: ‘The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.’ Own the fear, find the cave, and write a new ending for yourself, for the people you’re meant to serve and support, and for your culture. Choose courage over comfort. Choose whole hearts over armor. And choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid. At the exact same time.” – Brené Brown, Dare to Lead.

Tracey Franklin is Moderna’s Chief People and Digital Technology Officer, responsible for connecting people and technology to spark new ways of operating.

Since joining Moderna in 2019 as Chief Human Resources Officer, Tracey has been instrumental in shaping the company’s people strategy and culture, notably leading the company to scale from 800 to nearly 6,000 employees globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, Moderna has been consistently recognized as a top employer by Science.

In 2024, Tracey’s responsibilities expanded to include Digital Technology, emphasizing the vital integration of people, culture, and digital innovation, and recognizing the profound ways in which AI and digital platforms will reshape ways of working and delivering on Moderna’s Mission.

She joined Moderna following 15 years at Merck & Co., Inc., where she led Merck’s global talent strategy as Vice President, HR Chief Talent and Strategy Officer, and served on Merck’s HR Leadership Team. Tracey’s previous leadership roles included responsibility for HR for all divisions in the European region, head of HR for the UK and Ireland subsidiaries of Merck, and HR Operations leader responsible for HR program implementation across Merck’s global footprint. She was based in Switzerland, the UK and the U.S.

Tracey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Matthias Beck currently serves as Senior Vice President, Human Resources (HR) for the U.S. Human Pharma organization at Boehringer Ingelheim overseeing the strategic and operational aspects of the HR functions, including the development and management of HR strategies, policies and programs that align with the company’s business priorities as well as employee acquisition, development and retention. With long-standing tenure at Boehringer at over 14 years, Matthias assumed his current role in the U.S. in January 2025 as Boehringer continues its evolution towards becoming a commercial powerhouse in the industry.

Prior to his current role, Matthias was the Head of HR Human Pharma globally. He led HR activities to transform the business unit into a patient-centric organization and spearheaded Boehringer’s “Leading by Intent” initiative. His ability to navigate complex change while keeping people at the center of strategy has been instrumental in evolving Boehringer’s patient-focused purpose.

Matthias has also led strategic HR initiatives across Boehringer’s Research & Development, Human Pharma Supply, Global Quality, and Operations divisions to foster the cultural transformation and innovation with a focus on empowerment across the organization.

His career at Boehringer has also included leading global integration efforts during the Merial merger into Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and heading Leadership and People Development in Germany.

Matthias offers a unique perspective to corporate leadership, honed by his experience as Head of Organizational Consulting at the German Army’s International Training Center for Special

Operating Forces. This role has profoundly influenced his innovative approach to team building, leadership development, and organizational resilience.

A graduate of Bundeswehr University Munich with a diploma in economic education, focusing on adult education and organizational development, Matthias combines academic knowledge with practical leadership experience. His approach to HR is rooted in the belief that organizational success comes through empowered teams with the focus on our people and intentional leadership—principles that align with Boehringer’s commitment to transforming lives for generations.

West Ludwig is the Chief Human Resources Officer and has served in this role since 2018. Mr. Ludwig is responsible for developing the company’s long-range people strategy and implementing HR programs and policies across the enterprise. He oversees all aspects of First Citizens’ HR function including talent acquisition, talent development, learning, compensation, benefits, payroll, employee relations, inclusion, HR governance, business partner support and the associate service center.

Prior to joining First Citizens, Mr. Ludwig served as head of HR at technology company Machine Zone in Palo Alto, Calif, and as HR chief operating officer for Fidelity Investments in Boston, Mass., and Raleigh, North Carolina. Prior to his tenure at Fidelity, Mr. Ludwig was a member of the HR executive committee for Dell Technologies Inc. based out of Austin, Texas, where he served in a variety of HR leadership roles.

Mr. Ludwig earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida and serves on the board of the Triangle United Arts Council.

Pat Wadors grew up as the youngest of 8 siblings. Diagnosed with dyslexia while in college but has leaned on her neurodiversity as a strength. She is a mother to 3 millennials, grandmother x2, and wife of 30 years. Introvert by nature, Pat is an advocate for results over talk and works feverishly to embrace the quieter voices. A driver for writing this book is her personal purpose, “I need to leave the world better than I found it, to be kind, to give more than I get, to make a difference.”

Known for transformational and strategic HR leadership, Pat believes that organizations thrive when they have a blend of people with differing backgrounds and ways of thinking, and who feel they belong as a contributor to the company’s success. As a LinkedIn Learning instructor, Pat is known for her course on “Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging” which was recognized in 2021 as a top 10 Global course on LinkedIn.

Pat recently joined Intuitive as their chief human resource officer in October 2024. She has held various HR leadership and chief human resource officer positions in the technology sector, including roles at UKG, Procore Technologies, ServiceNow, LinkedIn; Plantronics, Inc.; and Yahoo! She has served on the boards of several prominent technology companies, such as Accolade, Inc., UKG, Second Harvest Food Bank, and El Camino Hospital. Currently, she holds a board position at Moloco.

A multiple-time recipient of the National Diversity Council’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology award, Pat is renowned for her transformative and strategic HR leadership. She is a sought-after speaker on diversity and inclusion topics. Pat earned a BS in business management and human resource management from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Miriam O’Sullivan is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Boston Scientific, a position she has held since January 2025. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the company’s human resources activities globally, including Human Resources Operations and Services, Total Rewards, Talent Management, Diversity and Inclusion and Community Engagement. Miriam also serves as co-chair of Boston Scientific’s Global Council for Inclusion.

Prior to her current role, Miriam was group vice president of Human Resources, Cardiology, leading their Cardiology businesses, which include Interventional Cardiology Therapies, Cardiac Rhythm Management and Diagnostics, WATCHMAN, and Electrophysiology.

Miriam joined Boston Scientific in 2012 as director of Human Resources for their manufacturing site in Cork, Ireland. In 2014, she moved to Massachusetts to support their Global Supply Chain organization and was promoted to vice president of Human Resources, Global Operations in 2017. In 2019, Miriam took the role of vice president of Human Resources, Interventional Cardiology. Miriam started her career as an employer representative for Irish businesses with an Irish-based company, IBEC, after which she moved to UCB Pharma, a Belgian Pharmaceutical company as director, Human Resources, supporting their Irish & UK business.

Miriam holds a Bachelor of Business Studies with French from the University of Limerick, Ireland, and a Diploma in Employment Law from the National College of Ireland.

Jaime Pilko is Vice President of Human Resources – Products Refining for Shell a multinational oil, gas, and chemical company. She is recognized as an outstanding leader with more than 20 years of broad global experience in orchestrating human capital strategies for the benefit of multiple lines of business with thousands of employees worldwide.  Jaime has lived and worked in Canada, the Netherlands, and the USA.

In her most recent roles at Shell, Jaime has directed Human Resources for one of the company’s largest business units (Refining & Chemicals) spanning three continents and representing more than 14,000 union and non-union employees. Over the past three years, she has been instrumental in transforming Shell’s Refining and Chemicals business and culture to one that is competitive, sustainable and high performing, leveraging systematic thinking across the operating model.

Starting with the company right out of university, Jaime has had some significant accomplishments:

• Designed and implemented the “One Performance Program,” to deliver a simpler, more competitive, and highly-capable organization, achieving $140 million in total human asset cost efficiencies.
• Worked with a human resources team of more than 20 business partners to architect and execute a multi-year strategic roadmap, delivering improvements in leadership, competitiveness, talent pipeline health, and joint venture excellence.
• Orchestrated and executed the Learning Events Management Offshoring and Outsourcing Project, capturing $10 million in annual benefits and achieving deliverables $1.4 million under budget. She led the negotiation of a $25 million outsourcing contract.

Jaime offers business and cultural savvy, combined with a highly intuitive sense of people to deliver transformational change and impact.  She is the consummate professional who authentically and uniquely combines strategic vision with flawless execution of key business transformation initiatives.

Outside of work, Jaime lives in Houston, Texas with her husband.  They have two sons in college (freshman and junior), two Siberian cats and one horse (Jaime’s new passion outside of work).

Profile

Robert Matthews is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, currently serving as Vice President and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Exelon. In this role, he acts as a strategic advisor, overseeing the operations of the CEO’s office and ensuring alignment across executive initiatives and corporate objectives.

Professional History

Throughout his tenure at Exelon, Robert has held several key leadership positions, including Vice President of External Affairs & Engagement, Vice President of Talent & Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, and Vice President of Workforce Development & Exelon Utilities Chief of Staff. In these roles, he has been instrumental in designing and implementing enterprise-wide strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness, promote diversity and inclusion, and foster community engagement.

Civic Involvement

Robert’s commitment to workforce development and community service is evident in his extensive board involvement. He

serves as Board Chair for Afro Charities, Baltimore Bon Secours Foundation, and The Leadership. Additionally, he serves

as a board member for Bon Secours Community Works, and the National Aquarium.

His contributions to the industry and community have been recognized with several accolades, including the 2024 Whitney M Young Jr. Service Award for outstanding service, being named one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Executives in Diversity & Inclusion in 2023, and receiving the CEWD’s 2020 Workforce Champion Award for pioneering BGE’s youth workforce development program.

Education

Robert holds master’s degrees in Counseling and Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is also a Board Certified Coach (BCC), a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

Kay Clark is Vice President of Culture and Associate Experience at Raymond James, where she leads efforts to cultivate a workplace culture grounded in care, connection and career development. With a background in branding, marketing, and executive communications, Kay brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic insight to her work.

Over her career, she’s guided national advertising campaigns, shaped corporate messaging, and directly supported executive leadership. A lifelong storyteller, Kay’s passion for communication has consistently extended beyond the office, from freelancing for global brands to volunteering her skills for her children’s schools.

She lives in St. Pete Beach with her husband and children, where she enjoys being outside with a good book, soaking up stories and the Florida sunshine.

Isabelle Leclerc has over 25 years of experience in strategic leadership in the fields of human resources, governance, communication, and ESG. She is EVP, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at RCL – Reitmans Canada Limited since August 2024. RCL’s Vision is to empower Canadians to live confidently with the Mission to create collections of uncompromising style and quality for all. With close to 400 stores from coast to coast to coast, we offer an unparalleled customer experience and on-trend designs imagined right here at home. Isabelle is also the Chair of the human resources and governance committee at the Old Brewery Mission. Her executive experience spans various sectors and business models, including senior HR roles in the telecom, manufacturing and the agriculture industries, where she led transformation and collaboration initiatives aiming at improving organizational culture, performance, profitability, and sustainability. Isabelle is a Certified Corporate Director, holds an an MBA, the titles of CHRP as well as the ISB-II certification specialized in ESG.

Fernando Casadevall is Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for World Kinect Corporation (WFS), a Fortune 100 company delivering energy solutions to Aviation, Marine, Commercial, Industrial, and Land customers around the world.

Casadevall has served in the CHRO role since January 2019 and is responsible for all human resources (HR) responsibilities including compensation, benefits, recruitment, talent, HR services, and corporate security.

Prior to WFS, he served as CHRO for Qatar Airways (QA), one of the largest airlines in the world with operations in 75+ countries and more than 50,000 employees. He was responsible for HR for QA’s aviation divisions including commercial, cargo, private aviation, HIA airport, duty free retail, catering, and aviation services.

Before QA, Casadevall was the retail group HR director for Al-Futtaim. Based in Dubai, Al-Futtaim operates in more than 40 countries with a global workforce of 40,000+ employees.

Prior to Al-Futtaim he had various roles at Citibank, initially building the HR function across the retail banking and payments groups, then moving into various senior HR roles including regional HR head for Citigroup’s consumer and alternative investment businesses across EMEA. Before joining Citi, he held HR positions with the investment banking firm Spear, Leeds & Kellogg, and with Sony Entertainment.

An active member of the community, he has also previously served on the board of the Baltimore Children’s Museum and the Academy of Finance & Technology.

Fernando holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development from Fordham University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona.

Laura Salvatore is the Executive Vice President of Human Capital at Centurion Asset Management, where she has spent over thirteen years leading the company’s people strategy. Known for her ability to align HR with business objectives, Laura has been a driving force behind Centurion’s cultural transformation and its growth into one of Canada’s most successful real estate investment trusts.

Recognized for her innovative approach to talent strategy and leadership development, Laura is a two-time recipient of HRD’s Global 100 distinction and was named one of the Top 10 CHROs in North America by DiversityCan Magazine.

Laura’s thought leadership on organizational culture and workforce analytics has been featured in numerous publications, making her a sought-after speaker and panelist at industry conferences and roundtables. She regularly serves as a guest lecturer at Georgian College and recently contributed her expertise to the textbook HR Analytics in Canada. As a member of RealPAC’s People and Culture Committee, Laura plays an active role in shaping the HR landscape within Canada’s real estate sector.

Laura holds an Executive Master’s in Human Resources Management from Cornell University and is both a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL). Her leadership philosophy is simple: culture isn’t just a differentiator — it’s the currency that attracts and retains top talent.

Andrea is Vestcor’s Director of Human Resources. She joined Vestcor in November 1997 as Corporate Accountant and in 2006 transitioned to Human Resources.

Prior to joining Vestcor she worked at Ross Ventures Ltd for ten years as Chief Accountant in the Restaurant and Real Estate Division.

Andrea holds designations in Certified Talent Management Practitioner (CTMP); International Personnel Management Association – Advanced Certificate Professional (IPMA – ACP); and Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She is a member of the Human Resources Association New Brunswick and holds a certificate in coaching for Myers Briggs.

Andrea lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada where she enjoys gardening, baking and hosting events for family and friends.

Kristen Dota has over 15 years of experience in the field of human resources and has served in a wide variety of key roles supporting law firms with offices across the globe. She is the director, firm human resources at Morgan Lewis and is based in Philadelphia. Her experience spans various human resources (HR) functions and she currently leads several core HR operational departments, such as compensation, firm HR, staff HRBP teams, talent acquisition, and talent development. Kristen has her M.S. in Human Resources Development from Villanova University, and is certified in PHR and SHRM-CP.

Sam Scher is the director of firm human resources (HR) at Morgan Lewis, based in Philadelphia. With more than 10 years of HR experience, Sam plays a key role in supporting the firm’s lawyer lifecycle and advising on HR strategies that align with the firm’s business and talent objectives. Sam’s responsibilities span several core HR functions, including evaluation management, HR process design and improvement, and leadership of HR business partner teams supporting the firm’s practice groups. She works closely with firm leadership to drive consistency, operational excellence, and firmwide HR solutions.

Rosemarie Estrada is the Senior Vice President of HR Strategy, Services & Systems at Kyndryl, one of the largest startups in corporate history. Kyndryl is the world’s leading IT infrastructure services provider. With the industry’s most experienced talent and 4,600 customers, Kyndryl is uniquely positioned to help organizations build strong, secure, resilient, and adaptive digital capabilities.

With an aggressive focus on being an employer and partner of choice, Rosemarie leads global HR transformation and the related technology initiatives that power up service for moments that matter to Kyndryls.

Rosemarie is a global leader with a passion for digital transformation to achieve meaningful and sustainable change that cultivates a culture of high performance, engagement and shared success. In multiple, complex technology and professional services environments, she has successfully led large transformation efforts leveraging enterprise technology to achieve a seamless end-to-end employee experience that supports accelerated business growth.

Rosemarie graduated with honors from George Washington University with a Masters in Education and Human Development and has a BS Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

Debbie Herrera (she/her/hers) is the Director of Human Resources at Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), where she leads initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), innovation, employee engagement, wellness, and strategic planning. With over 25 years of HR experience—including 15 in strategic leadership—Debbie has worked across the mortgage, finance, and healthcare sectors.

She serves on the boards of Warren Village and Hope Communities. She previously served on Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and was an advisor to Adelante Colorado with the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado. In 2024, she was named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Debbie holds degrees in psychology and human resources management and is a graduate of the Leadership Denver program. She is the proud mother of two teenage daughters.

Brian J. Coon, MBA, is a strategic HR executive with nearly three decades of experience leading enterprise talent transformation across hospitality, healthcare, veterinary, and global consumer organizations. He has held senior leadership roles within Mars, Inc., including Vice President of People & Organization for VCA Animal Hospitals, where he helped shape talent strategy for more than 40,000 associates across 1,000+ locations.

Currently serving as Head of Human Resources for Shanty Creek Resorts in Michigan, Brian is leading the full people integration through new ownership while transforming HR from an administrative function into a strategic driver of workforce capability, engagement, and operational excellence. His work spans enterprise talent strategy, leadership development, workforce planning, and culture activation in high-volume, frontline environments.

Brian has been invited to speak on “The Hidden Goldmine: Leading HR Transformation in Underserved Organizations,” where he will explore how HR leaders can unlock measurable business value by modernizing people systems in organizations that have historically lacked strategic investment.

He lives in Traverse City, Michigan with his husband, David. Outside of work, Brian is an avid skier, half-marathon runner, and active member of Grace Episcopal Church.

Christine is the Head of the HRBP function at Exemplis, where she also oversees Total Rewards and People Analytics. With over a decade of progressive HR experience across diverse industries, Christine is a strategic partner and people leader known for delivering innovative, effective solutions that drive organizational growth and employee development.

Before joining Exemplis, Christine held key leadership roles at 24 Hour Fitness and Oakley, where she honed her expertise in talent management, employee relations, change management, and organizational development.

Passionate about fostering an inclusive and positive work culture, Christine partners closely with business leaders to align talent strategies with organizational objectives. She leads initiatives that empower employees to reach their full potential while achieving exceptional results. As a trusted coach and advisor, she helps leaders and teams navigate change, adapt to evolving business needs, and thrive in dynamic environments.

Tara Blythe is the Chief People Officer at Infotech, a software company engineering connections across the infrastructure construction industry. She leads organizational development, people operations, innovation, and communications—bringing sharp strategic focus to where people and technology intersect to drive business results.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience in organizational strategy and change transformation, Tara is a champion for future-ready workplaces. She advocates for integrating advanced technologies—like generative AI—into leadership and talent practices to build adaptability, efficiency, and long-term impact.

An accomplished facilitator, curriculum designer, and consultant, Tara has a proven record of delivering transformative outcomes and developing inclusive, high-performing teams. As an adjunct faculty member in Executive Education at the University of Florida and former faculty at the University of Georgia, she pairs academic rigor with real-world application

Her work spans leadership development, culture evolution, executive coaching, and talent strategy, making her a trusted partner for organizations navigating growth and digital transformation. Tara is also a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, sharing insights on the future of work, leadership, and organizational agility.

As CPO, Tara believes the connection between people and purpose is the most powerful force behind organizational success. She is passionate about building culture and environments where people can thrive—and considers it a privilege to lead the teams that make Infotech an extraordinary place to work and grow. To learn more about Infotech, visit infotechinc.com.

With more than 20 years of experience leading complex human resources operations in both the AEC industry and at a Fortune 500 company, Jacqueline Opal serves as STV’s chief people officer. In this role, Ms. Opal drives the organization’s vision of creating a winning employee experience to attract, retain and develop our talent.

Ms. Opal’s expertise spans all facets of strategic human resources (HR) including compensation, benefits, talent acquisition and talent management.She has an extensive background in supporting merger and acquisitions including HR due diligence and post-acquisition integration efforts.

She holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Service Administration and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. She also has a Green Belt Six Sigma Certification.

Donovan Mattole joined Langan Engineering and Environmental Services as their global Chief Human Resources Officer in December 2023, where he oversees all aspects of human resources around the globe. Langan is a global leader in providing an integrated mix of engineering and environmental consulting services in support of land development projects and across their fifty offices has overseen projects in over a hundred countries.

Donovan has over two decades of senior leadership experience in human resources, communications and sustainability, with an expertise in employee engagement, leadership and development, talent management and organizational development and change. He is a sought after speaker, panelist and moderator at leadership conferences and has appeared on half a dozen podcasts, including HR Leaders Podcast, Built by People Podcast and the Society of Human Resources Career Compass Podcast.

Prior to joining Langan, Donovan spent eight years as Vice President and Head of Human Resources for Americas for Brenntag, with responsibilities for human resources, corporate communication, and
sustainability. From 2010 to 2016, Donovan worked for Mars, Inc, most recently as the global head of
human resources for their direct-to-consumer retail and e-commerce businesses, with employees in
China, France, the UK and the USA.

Donovan holds a bachelor’s degrees in human resources from George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon and in religion from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and attended graduate school at Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem, Israel. He is also a graduate of an executive leadership program at London Business School in London, England. He is a certified Senior Professional in HR (SPHR®) and SHRM Certified Senior Professional (SHRM-SCP®) and holds additional assessment tool certifications from KornFerry, Predictive Index, and Caliper.

Donovan is on the Board for the Institute for Inclusive Leadership at the University of Houston, serves as an Advisory Board Member of The Argyle Group in New York City and is an active member of the Chief People Officer 100 (CPO100) and Gartner’s NYC CHRO Governing Board.

Donovan lives with his wife, Emily, in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and has three children, a shepadoodle named Cash (after the American singer, Johnny Cash) and a Maine Coon named Cato. While not working he can be found hiking, traveling, running, writing and spending time with family.

Jonathan Weisbrod is Head of People at GOAT Group. Jonathan previously served as VP, People at Lyft and Head of eCommerce Employee Relations at Walmart. An attorney before moving into HR, Jonathan began his legal career at Apple Inc. Jonathan holds a BFA from NYU, JD from Seton Hall School of Law, and is in progress on an MBA at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

Shannon Ruotolo is a highly accomplished HR leader with a 20- year career built on a passion for developing people and driving organizational impact. Her journey started by chance when, while working in retail, an HR leader invited her to join their team. This unexpected opportunity became the springboard for a career defined by progressive roles and diverse experiences.

Throughout her career, Shannon has served as a business partner, advocate, and coach to world-class talent within Fortune 100 companies. She has a proven track record of influencing change and building high-performing teams in a variety of work environments, including retail, manufacturing, e-commerce, and healthcare technology. Shannon’s influence spans multiple organizational levels, from frontline employees to C-Suite executives.

Currently serving as the Vice President of People Business Partners & Talent at ModMed, Shannon is dedicated to creating connected and efficient workplaces. Her philosophy is simple: it all starts with people. By appreciating individual differences, leveraging unique strengths, and designing effective work processes, she helps teams not only succeed but thrive.

Outside of work, you can find Shannon on the soccer field or basketball court with her two boys, Hudson (8) and Noah (6), or soaking up time with her whole family, including husband, Greg, and golden retriever, Bowser. She loves to stay active and will sneak in a HIIT workout whenever she can.

Liz Marzolf is Chief People Officer at Port Blakely, leading the company’s people strategy and overseeing employee experience, culture, organizational development and communications. She works closely with the board on executive compensation, succession planning, and governance, and brings more than two decades of leadership experience in talent strategy and organizational transformation.

Previously, Liz spent over a decade in senior roles at Starbucks, began her career in Accenture’s change management practice, and led educational reform efforts in public high schools. Liz serves on the board of Seattle Girls’ School (where she is a past chair) and on the advisory council of The Mountaineers, and holds a BA in Neuroscience from Mount Holyoke College, an MEd, and a PhD in educational leadership and organizational change from the University of Washington.

Shawn Abner-Purnell is a seasoned human resources and diversity executive with over 20 years of experience partnering with CEOs and executive leadership teams to align people strategy with business performance. Recognized as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, Shawn Abner-Purnell has excelled in senior enterprise roles, including Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer, where she led organization-wide talent, culture, and leadership initiatives in complex, highly regulated environments.

Throughout her career, Shawn Abner-Purnell has guided organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and uncertainty, strengthening leadership capability, stabilizing culture, and mitigating workforce risk. Her expertise spans talent and succession planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, culture transformation, workforce strategy, HR operations and diversity, equity, and inclusion—always grounded in measurable outcomes and business impact.

As the former Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for South Jersey Industries (SJI), Shawn Abner-Purnell built human capital strategies to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, ensuring employees felt comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Joining SJI in 2016, she advanced through various leadership roles within Human Resources, including Director of Organizational Development and Diversity/Inclusion, and later Vice President, Diversity/Inclusion and Engagement. In these capacities, she oversaw the full scope of SJI’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, career development programs, employee engagement initiatives, and talent management practices. She has also led the Benefits, Compensation, DEIB, Internal Communications, HR Operations, and Payroll departments, collaborating with leaders to address talent and inclusion gaps across the company.

Following a voluntary early retirement this past summer from her most recent executive role, Shawn Abner-Purnell is currently engaged in pursuing the right next leadership opportunity.

An alumna of Morgan State University, Shawn Abner-Purnell earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Training from Saint. Joseph’s University. She sits on the board of the American Red Cross of Southern New Jersey and serves as an Advisory Council Member for the Stockton University Ed.D in Organizational Leadership Program. Shawn Abner-Purnell remains deeply committed to leadership excellence, inclusive cultures, and the belief that strong people strategy is fundamental to sustainable organizational success.

Brynn Freeman is a strategic and innovative global HR leader with experience spanning roles such as Global HR Director at Alkegen, Global HRBP at Flowserve, HR Manager at ComEd and Innovation Consultant at gravitytank. She began her career in consulting, consumer research and leadership assessment and development before pivoting into internal HR back in 2015. She has led transformative initiatives across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas, supporting executive leaders through complex reorganizations, shaping global talent strategies and designing and delivering early career development programs such as Flowserve’s IGNITE. She is perhaps best known for putting a strategic focus on talent during critical times of growth and change and helping leaders to attract, develop, engage and retain high-performing, collaborative leadership teams. She holds a Doctor of Psychology in Business Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Dance and is a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional.

Sarah Martinez serves as Senior Vice President of People & Culture at Funko, Inc., having joined the company in January 2021.

With over two decades of experience in Human Resources, Ms. Martinez brings deep expertise across Talent Management, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations, Organizational Development, and Program Management. Since joining Funko, she has led a transformation of the People & Culture organization—introducing a formal compensation structure, expanded parental leave benefits, new learning and development programs, and a range of employee engagement initiatives. Her responsibilities have recently expanded to include oversight of the company’s Facilities and Security teams.

Prior to Funko, Ms. Martinez spent 20 years at Starbucks Coffee Company, where she helped lead several breakthrough people initiatives, including the Starbucks College Achievement Plan and the global expansion of Siren Retail.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, with a minor in Sociology, from Central Washington University.

Beverly Lucas Propst is a seasoned Board Member, Human Resources Executive, and Attorney with more than 20 years of experience specializing in talent management, employment, and labor issues. As Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Graybar Electric Company, Inc., she leads organizational change, fostering a dynamic and positive workplace culture recognized by honors such as Top Workplaces USA and 100 Most Loved Employers. Beverly serves on Graybar’s Board of Directors and sits on the advisory boards for two other corporations. Beyond these roles, Beverly is committed to her community through non-profit service with entities such as Midwest Health Initiative and the Humane Society of Missouri. She has been recognized as one of St. Louis’ Most Influential Business Women and “50 Women to Watch for Boards.

Christy Wilson is a strategic, inclusive, and highly adaptable talent executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning The Heritage Group, General Electric, and Synchrony. As Vice President of Talent at The Heritage Group, Christy leads enterprise-wide strategies that strengthen talent management, accelerate early‑career pipelines, elevate learning and leadership development, and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

Known for her ability to connect people, ideas, and business priorities, Christy builds systems and experiences that enable leaders to thrive and organizations to grow. Her career is marked by a passion for developing future talent, modernizing people practices, and creating environments where every employee can contribute at their highest potential.

Christy began her education at Wright State University and earned her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Outside of work, she’s an enthusiastic supporter of high school athletics and can often be found cheering at football, baseball, and basketball games.

Marie Wardenski is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at TAKKION, where she leads the enterprise-wide people strategy for one of the renewable energy sector’s most dynamic service providers. With more than 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, Marie oversees all aspects of Human Resources, including talent acquisition, organizational development, leadership and succession planning, total rewards, learning and development, employee relations, and HR technology. As a member of the executive leadership team, she is a strategic partner in driving business growth, shaping culture, and positioning TAKKION as an employer of choice in a competitive industry.

Marie holds both an MBA and a B.S. in Business Management from Kutztown University. She is SHRM-SCP certified, an Insights Discovery Client Practitioner, and Korn Ferry 360 Certified in Leadership Assessment—credentials that highlight her expertise in elevating leadership effectiveness and fostering high-performing, engaged teams.

Throughout her career, Marie has designed and executed HR strategies that directly support business objectives, led organizations through complex transformations, and introduced innovative programs to strengthen employee engagement, retention, and performance. She is recognized for her ability to build leadership capability, enhance organizational agility, and create inclusive, people-focused workplaces that drive results.

Beyond her professional achievements, Marie is deeply committed to service and volunteerism, reflecting her belief in making a meaningful difference in both business and community.

Karthik Varatharaj is the Global VP and HR Business Partner for Product, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Beyond Yoga at Levi Strauss and Co. Prior to this, Karthik was the Chief Talent Officer at Levi Strauss &Co for over 2 years. In this role, Karthik was responsible for leading the company’s end-to-end talent agenda, including talent acquisition, learning and development, leadership, performance and succession management, and employee listening. Karthik has over 20 years of experience in People, Culture and Org Transformation at global brands such as Nike, Walmart, Deloitte, and Korn/Ferry. He is known as a thought leader and strong collaborator with the ability to establish relationships at all levels and geographies throughout organizations and cross-functionally.

Karthik has lived and worked all around the world including the UK, Middle East and India. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Madras University. He resides in Portland, Oregon with his husband, David, their 5 yr. old daughter Aliyya, and 1.5 yr. old son Ezra.

Lisa Bradley is a human resource leader with over 25 years of experience. Industries supported include financial services, retail, energy, advertising, academia, IT, performing arts, and Education. In her current role as Henry Ford College’s Executive Director of Human Resources, Lisa and her team provide full-service HR to the college’s faculty, staff, and student workers. Prior to joining Henry Ford College in 2023, Lisa led human resources at Mars Advertising Agency and Detroit Symphony Orchestra and facilitated leadership development programs at Center for Creative Leadership, where she was a member of the esteemed faculty.

Throughout her career, Lisa has provided consulting support to clients and led national teams responsible for employee training, leadership development, performance improvement and executive coaching. Her experience has prepared her to partner with senior level clients looking to thrive amid the chaos of organizational change; and support mid-level managers seeking techniques to manage stress, improve their work- life balance or prepare for the next level of leadership.

Lisa is also a lifelong learner. She holds a PhD and a Master of Arts in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University, a Master of Science in Education from Capella University, and graduate certificates in evidence-based coaching, human resource management and DEIA. Lisa is currently extending her doctoral research on African American women’s midlife adult development as a research fellow at Fielding’s Institute of Social Innovation.

Allan Akinradewo is a strategic and results-driven Vice President of Talent Acquisition with a proven track record of transforming hiring processes, enhancing employer brand, and driving workforce planning in the healthcare industry. With a deep understanding of talent market trends and a passion for building high-performing teams, Allan has successfully led large-scale talent acquisition initiatives that improve candidate experience, streamline hiring operations, and ensure the organization attracts top-tier professionals. A champion of data-driven decision-making, Allan leverages cutting-edge technology, employer branding strategies, and workforce analytics to optimize talent pipelines. Through innovative sourcing techniques and strategic partnerships, Allan has positioned his organization as an employer of choice, reducing time-to-fill, increasing retention, and strengthening overall workforce engagement. With a commitment to continuous improvement, Allan collaborates closely with executive leadership to align talent acquisition strategies with business goals, ensuring long-term growth and organizational success in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Srikanth Chandrashekhar (Sri) started his career in India in a Sequoia Capital funded start-up which gave him a fantastic foundation on business management. He was then recruited by Honeywell and spent a decade working across the Human Resources function in Operations, HR Transformation and post M&A integration spanning across regions. Post that, he’s taken on regional HR roles at Dell EMC, Bombardier Transportation, Pall Corporation.

After acquiring close to 2 decades of work experience, Sri gave up corporate life to build his own start-up in Singapore with his co-founder and founded Scribe Zero (AI for Contracts). At Scribe Zero, Sri led the Commercial side of the business including go-to-market, digital marketing and solution selling. After 4 years with Scribe Zero, Sri returned corporate life with Enerpac Tool Group.

At Enerpac Tool Group, Sri leads the Human Resources function for Asia Pacific and globally leads the HR Technology function and is focused on bringing AI to the HR function. He is based in Singapore.

When not focused on work, Sri is helping his 9-year-old daughter to start her own business creating a fashion brand or catching up on the stock market.

Sri is passionate and always trying to learn about business, product design, cooking and being a better parent.

Nichole Riley is a dynamic Human Resources executive currently serving at Zelis as the VP, Senior P&C Business Partner. She drives strategic talent initiatives in support of the company’s aspirational growth objectives and bold transformation in the healthcare technology space. Nichole brings a fresh, non-traditional career path to HR leadership — one marked by innovation, agility, and a commitment to building high-performing teams.

Nichole started her career, way back when, as a Citigroup HR Management Associate (now Citi) who was ready to conquer the world and has climbed her way to CPO/CHRO with expertise in Financial Services, Ag Tech & Sustainability, and now, Healthcare Tech. She holds a Master’s in Human Resources & Industrial Relations from University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management.

Nichole’s passion and energy are unmatched. Hold on tight!

Ken Moses has been leading Cascade’s HR function since 2017.  A forward-thinking and performance-driven global strategi an hands-on Human Resources Executive. Proven trusted advisor, team builder, and results oriented leader. Driven to align the function to the business and achieve results and exceed expectations to ensure Cascade’s long-term and sustained success. Prior to Cascade, Ken was the CHRO for Penhall Co and prior to that, he spent 10 years as Sr Dir, Global HR for Quest Software which was acquired by Dell, for which he led the People integration efforts. Ken earned a Master’s of Science in Organizational Psychology from Cal State University at Long Beach.

Nana Adwoa Boone, CDE®, IDI (she, her, hers) is an accomplished and passionate Cultural Competence and Organizational Change Leader who has assisted with the structure, growth, and transformation of businesses for over 20 years. As the Principal Program Lead for the Global Impact – DE&I team at Chick-fil-A, Nana is responsible for strategy and programmatic solutions for People Leaders and all Staff, with a focus on embedding inclusion and belonging as a part of the organization’s culture of care. She serves as a strategic thought leader, coach, and experienced diversity and inclusion practitioner. She connects business leaders’ visions to realistic outcomes, with a focus on the heart of every organization: its people.

Nana’s journey in the world of inclusion, cultural intelligence, and transformational change management has spanned workforces across multiple countries and several industry-leading organizations – including airline, retail, healthcare, IT, finance, and food & beverage organizations. She is a Ghanaian-American who was born and raised in Virginia and has lived in Atlanta for 26
years with her husband and their three, now adult, children. Fun fact? Nana’s love language is TRAVEL, and she leans into different cultures as easily as she breathes – which has paved the path and explains the passion for the work she does today.

Angela is the Chief Human Resources Officer for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the preeminent source for nonprofit professionals committed to the advancement of the common good. She previously served as the Senior Vice President, Talent & CHRO for Harvard Business Publishing, home of the Harvard Business Review.

Angela brings 30 years of both generalist and specialist Human Resources experience, having worked across consumer product goods, professional services, and high-tech as well as nonprofits. In addition to having served on the Alumni Board of Directors for Cornell University, she is a member of CNBC’s Workforce Executive Council, a body of CHROs dedicated to advancing the practice of HR; is a Strategic Board Advisor for several early-stage startups supporting the future of work; and serves as an advocate for the AAPI community for several nonprofits. Frequently found on the HR speaking circuit, her thought leadership has been featured in the Harvard Business Review and Fast Company.

Stephen Dwight, Ph.D. is the Chief Talent Officer at Takeda, a global pharmaceutical company. Steve has more than 25 years of experience in Talent Management. Prior to joining Takeda Steve held senior roles at Vertex, Novo Nordisk, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sunovian (formerly Sepracor) where he created award winning talent management teams. He also has consulting experience, working at Aon Management Consulting and the Hay Group early in his career. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is an author of 16 peer-reviewed publications. His presentation and publication topics included: building integrated talent management, executive coaching, leadership development, succession, talent intelligence, employee engagement, fostering a coaching culture, and performance management.

Jeffery is a high-impact, results-focused executive with over two decades of global HR Business Partner expertise across the Technology, Health Care, and Public Utility industries. He excels at leading strategic human resources and employee relations practices.

Believing in the power of influence, Jeffery drives successful business outcomes by his commitment to people and organizations. His professional journey is marked by a robust combination of business acumen and results-driven HRBP experiences, all delivered with a practical, no-nonsense approach.

Jeffery’s investment in people has significantly contributed to the development and growth of numerous HR professionals into leadership roles. His goal is to continue cultivating talent, aspiring to be recognized as a Master Class people developer and role model for others.

Jeffery holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Originally from Chicago, Jeffery currently resides in Austin, Texas with his family.

Over her 25+ years in Human Resources, Laura has built and led teams across a variety of industries including healthcare IT, aerospace, transportation, financial services, and SaaS technology. Companies she has worked for include General Electric, Tesla, and GoDaddy. She has led the development and implementation of programs focused on leadership, performance management, organization design, culture, and engagement. She has successfully partnered and guided leaders from the C-suite on down, through cycles of growth and downturn.

Known for tapping into her empathy, Laura quickly builds trusting relationships with people at all levels in an organization. Often called “not your typical HR person”, she receives the most satisfaction when she is able to work with leaders and teams, bringing together her strategic thinking and her human-first approach, to guide them on a journey to realize their full potential. Laura loves engaging with and motivating leaders, employees, and organizations to move forward and achieve their goals. Currently, she is the CHRO for Woolpert (www.woolpert.com), a global leader in the architecture, engineering, and geospatial industry. She is also the Co-Founder of Wisdom HR Group (www.wisdomhrgroup.com) and serves as an Executive Consultant for their clients.

Laura has a master’s in Labor & Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from Michigan State University as well as a bachelor’s in Sociology and History from Purdue University. A nomad for most of her life, she now resides in Austin, TX with her husband and 2 children.

I’m a hybrid of engineering logic and HR strategy. My career has been shaped by blending technical problem-solving with human-centered leadership to design solutions that actually work in the field. From my time at Robert Bosch Corporation to my current role as Director of HR for a 500-person civil construction company in Charleston, SC, I focus on turning complexity into clarity—building systems, teams, and cultures that perform.

Colleen Denston is an HCM Strategic Consultant for Public Sector at UKG, advising C-Suite and business leaders on strategic planning and cloud technology adoption aligned with business needs. She has more than 25 years of leadership experience in management, finance, and human resources. Colleen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Walden University with a major in Human Resources and a minor in Information Processing and is currently pursuing her MBA. She has served as a Vice President of Operations and CHRO, leading initiatives in cost reduction, mergers, product development, and HR systems. A longtime SHRM leader and volunteer, she also teaches SHRM Certification Prep courses.

Bindu Garapaty is a passionate advocate for the human spirit, dedicating her career to helping people discover the intersection of happiness, human behavior and leadership. With a doctorate in clinical psychology and an entrepreneurial spirit, she brings the richness of those experiences into her role Chief People Officer at BetterHelp.

With over 25 years in leadership development, diversity and inclusion, education and women’s health, her career has spanned the healthcare, academic, biotech, tech, food tech and mental health industries, giving her a unique ability to connect patterns across disciplines and offer meaningful insights into culture and leadership.

Dr. Garapaty finds joy in building meaningful connections, giving back to her community and creating new experiences. She credits much of her inspiration to her two children, both student-athletes – one in Division I college athletics and one in high school.

Al Hill was named Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Affairs for Centers for Independence in September 2024.

In this role, Hill is responsible for the overall planning, implementation and oversight of CFI’s workforce and supplier diversity strategies. He is the principal champion of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging principles and initiatives, fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity among senior leadership, managers and employees. He also oversees community engagement by developing and implementing outreach strategies, managing community relations programs and promoting health equity and cultural competency within the community.

Hill has more than 50 years of human resource and DEI experience. He has worked in a wide array of industries, including military, retail, manufacturing, finance, government and non-profit organizations, holding both leadership and professional staff positions. Previously, Hill served as CFI’s Senior Director of Diversity and Cultural Competence and as a Human Resource Specialist.

Before joining CFI, Hill served as Director of Development, Independent Diversity Consultant, Manager of Diversity Recruitment, HR Generalist/Affirmative Action Officer and Equal Opportunity Advisor in Charge. He began his human resources career in Affirmative Action and Diversity in the Wisconsin Army National Guard where he served for 25 years, serving for 10 years as the Chief of the Equal Opportunity section for the 32D Separate Infantry Brigade.

Hill earned his associate of applied science degree in retail marketing in 1972 from Milwaukee Area Technical College and is a graduate of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

Hill serves as chapter president of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources-Milwaukee Chapter (NAAAHR-MKE) and is a member of the Social Responsibility Advisory Committee for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee.

Hill has been recognized by the Office of the Governor State of Wisconsin, the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County. He was named Educator of The Year from the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Foundreymen’s Society and honored with the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative Exceptional Grandfather award. He was also awarded the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award, the 2023 Biz Times/Media Notable BIPOC Executive and is listed in “Who’s Who in Black

Milwaukee.” He is also a published author in HR Focus Magazine with an article entitled: “Ten Strategies for Managers in a Multicultural Workforce.”

STEVE PEMBERTON is a visionary senior human resources (HR) executive, human capital strategist, best-selling author, and ardent human rights champion. A passionate communicator and powerful presenter, Steve is also a sought-after motivational speaker who is widely appreciated for his ability to connect with a broad spectrum of audiences. His relentless mission to encourage others continues to provide a trusted compass for living, learning, and leading.

A distinct professional calling

From Monster.com to Walgreens, Steve has consistently served in HR leadership positions that have furthered his gift for seeking the greater good and creating engaged communities. He is the Founder and CEO The Lighthouse Academy, a leadership, coaching and HR consultancy. Prior to that he served as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Workhuman®, a technology company that delivers performance management and employee engagement solutions to corporations worldwide. Wherever he has been Steve has inspired organizations and companies to embrace more humanity and cultivate a higher purpose in the workplace. He is exceptionally skilled at creating inspiring, innovative work environments while recognizing and developing talent. His ‘human lighthouse’ approach has successfully created award-winning organizational cultures that create maximum performance.
Steve’s philosophy on human capital has been shaped by positions that delivered talent solutions to HR executives. As a result, he has observed how domestic and international organizations manage talent, particularly as the relationship between employer and employee has transformed in a world where a global pandemic changed how work is done. A highly sought-after voice on workplace trends, he presents at the most recognizable HR conferences in the world, is interviewed often by the business media on human capital matters, and consults with organizations across the world on their talent strategies.

A deeply personal journey

Beyond his professional achievements in the world of human resources, Steve is also widely known as the author of two critically acclaimed and best-selling books. His first effort, A Chance in the World, shares his extraordinary story of how he defied seemingly impossible odds as an orphan navigating the perils of the foster care system – all while trying to solve the mystery of his own identity. In 2018, the book was adapted into an independent film of the same name. A partnership with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt led to creating an integrated social-emotional learning curriculum based on the book, taught today in high schools throughout the United States.

Steve’s second book, The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World, offers practical encouragement for becoming a “human lighthouse” – turning personal pain into purposeful mission to help others, as he has done in his own life. This framework for living, learning, and leading continues to inspire across a multiplicity of sectors, from corporate America and the non-profit world to higher education. The power of his life story, and its many engaging insights, has led to numerous high-profile media appearances, including the Today show, CBS Evening News, Tamron Hall, and People magazine.

Steve’s personal and professional accomplishments have been recognized through numerous honors. A former candidate for the United States Senate, he received the prestigious Horizon Award from the U.S. Congress, presented to private sector individuals who have expanded opportunities for all Americans through their own contributions and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life. Steve is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achiever Award by the New England Opportunity Association. Winston-Salem State University, Providence College, and Boston College are among the institutions who awarded him an honorary doctorate.

With a steadfast commitment to people and community well-being, Steve gives abundantly of his time, talent, and convictions. His robust history of service includes membership on the boards of University & College Accountability Network, Loyola Academy, Boston College, The Wily Network, the Academy for Urban School Leadership, Boys Hope Girls Hope, and Disability:IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. At every turn, Steve continues with his own “Lighthouse Effect” by fulfilling his mission for all to have “A Chance in the World.”

With over a decade of hands-on leadership across hospitality, corporate training, and operations, Stephanie Ketron is a driving force behind talent development and organizational alignment at Westgate Resorts. In her current role as Vice President of Learning & Development, she leads the design and execution of enterprise-wide learning strategies, aligning L&D with People & Culture to deliver scalable impact across a multi-resort hospitality and timeshare portfolio.

With a background spanning Disney, Applebee’s, Aeropostale, and the U.S. Army Reserve, Stephanie brings a rare blend of operational expertise, instructional design mastery, and people-centered leadership. She is the architect behind Westgate’s 12-Competency Framework and a champion for leveraging technology and AI to modernize the team member experience.

Dynamic, direct, and refreshingly practical, Stephanie delivers insights rooted in real-world execution.

For over 25 years, Marybeth Gray has been dedicated to helping employers nationwide lower healthcare costs and enhance quality. Throughout her career, she has effectively reduced insurance costs and employer liability, thanks to her extensive knowledge of the insurance marketplace. Currently, she holds the position of Senior Vice President of Health and Welfare Benefits at Trion, a Marsh McLennan Agency, where she oversees comprehensive account management for her clients. With expertise in analyzing healthcare utilization data and cost trends, particularly in pharmacy for large, self-insured clients, Marybeth is a prominent thought leader at Marsh McLennan Agency, speaking at more than ten national conferences each year.

One of the key advantages she offers her clients is a unique insight into future cost drivers. She assists employers in grasping the potential financial impacts of pharmacogenomics, newly introduced specialty medications, and gene therapies. Her objective is to enhance the health of the population while reducing healthcare costs for both members and employers.

Before joining Marsh McLennan Agency, Marybeth served as a Vice President at AON Consulting and as a National Account Manager at Aetna, Inc. In these roles, she managed accounts from both financial and operational perspectives for clients with over 10,000 employees across various locations. She identified plan design opportunities for clients and tracked the ongoing financial impacts of these plans. During her tenure at Aetna, she was a member of the Aetna Presidents Roundtable Committee, facilitating communication between clients and the president’s office to propose changes aimed at enhancing Aetna’s operational procedures.

Marybeth was recognized by Women We Admire as one of the 2025 Top Women Leaders in Pennsylvania, as well as the Top 50 Women Leaders of Philadelphia. She was also honored as a top five finalist for the 2024 Advisor of the Year by BenefitsPRO. Her innovative and thought-provoking ideas have been featured in Morning Brew, and she has authored several articles for publications such as Manage HR Magazine and The Chief Navigators Magazine, Women of Distinction. In 2019, she received the Lifetime Achievement award from Marquis Who’s Who, which profiles influential leaders
shaping American society and impacting their respective industries.

Heather is a futuristic and innovative leader, who is recognized for her passion to “lead with people” resulting in organizational results to provide best service levels to customers. Heather has served as a strategic leader working side by side with Presidents & CEO’s in the Financial Services and BPO industries for over 20+ years serving Human Capital Management.

Heather is currently serving at the United States Senate Federal Credit Union leading People & Culture, Training/Learning & Development, DEI, Talent Recruitment & Retention, and Total Rewards. During her tenure, the Credit Union won USA Jobs & Washington Post’s Best Workplaces Awards in 2024 & 2025, special recognition awards for Inclusion/Belonging, Monster’s Remote Work Award, and 8+ Culture Badges with Energage. Heather was featured in a podcast with Chris Hoyt, CareerXroads for Transforming Cultures and was in an IHeart Radio Podcast with Jen Richer related to rising in challenges during COVID-19.

In her former roles, Heather travelled nationally and internationally with several HR teams around the globe serving over 7,000+ employees in the Contact Center world. Heather has her MBA in HR Management with 4.0 GPA from Capella University and was awarded Summa Cum Laude and Presidential Award . In 2025, Heather earned the CUES Certified Chief Executive (CCE) with three certificates from Wharton’s School of Business, Darden’s School of Business and Cornell University.

Heather is powerhouse in the Executive arena to support leadership in the areas of: Culture, engagement, inclusion/belonging, talent recruitment, negotiations, employee relations, retention, teambuilding, Executive leadership training, and human capital strategy. She is a humble and servant leader that cares about employees and giving back to the local communities served. Heather is a humble and servant leader and serves as a mentor for young professional leaders and has served as a educational training supporting high school, college, and alumni students in their professional development.

Mirian Candido Farias is Vice President, Human Resources – Digital Transformation at Mars Pet Nutrition, where she shapes the people and talent strategy that turns digital plans into sustained business results. Partnering with the Global Chief Digital & Information Officer, she helps define and operationalize Mars Pet Nutrition’s digital strategy, architecting a future‑fit operating model and embedding leadership behaviors, skills and governance that make transformation stick across functions and markets.

Her cross‑functional background—spanning strategic HR business partnering, capability building and earlier roles in digital—gives her a practical, systems‑level lens on aligning structure, roles, skills and culture to accelerate adoption and value realization. Mirian is looking forward to bringing forward her pragmatic playbook for moving digital transformation from rollout to results to the spring edition of NAHRES, giving attendees her insights and expertise in building talent pipelines, establishing clear ways or working, and change mechanisms that sustain digital maturity over time.

Mayra Ortiz is the VP of Human Resources & Marketing at Innovel Global Logistics, where she leads people strategy, culture, and brand alignment across a growing, multi-state logistics organization. With a background spanning HR, compliance, recruiting, and employer branding, Mayra specializes in building scalable people-first systems that support fast-moving, operational environments.

She is passionate about modern HR leadership, employee experience, and helping organizations grow without losing their human touch. Mayra is known for blending structure with empathy, and strategy with authenticity.

Dave Hofmann’s research focuses on organizational climate, leadership, and organizational change, organizational design and decision-making.

He teaches courses in organizational behavior, leadership and the complexities of middle management.

Dr. Hofmann served as associate dean for the full-time MBA Program, area chair of organizational behavior and senior associate dean of academic affairs.

A specific focus of his research is the impact of leadership and organizational culture on safety and errors in organizations that operate in high-risk environments. He has edited two scholarly books on these topics, including “Errors in Organizations” with Michael Frese.

In recognition of his work’s applied implications, he received the American Psychological Association’s Decade of Behavior Research Award in 2006.

He received a Fulbright Senior Scholar Award to study errors and safety issues in organizations at the University of Giessen in Germany, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to investigate error management and organizational learning on nursing units.

He has served on two National Research Council/National Academy of Engineering committees. The first investigated the causes of the BP Deepwater Horizon accident, and the second focused on how to improve safety culture in the offshore industry.

Dr. Hofmann has presented his research or conducted executive development sessions in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UAE and the U.K.

He earned his PhD in industrial and organizational psychology from Pennsylvania State University, his master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Central Florida, and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Furman University.

Nicole Manzo serves as Senior Vice President, People & Communications for KONE Americas, where she leads the strategy, performance, and operations of the People function across the region. She focuses on aligning talent, engagement, and organizational performance to drive business growth while strengthening KONE’s people-first culture. As a leader of people-powered innovation, Nicole is helping shape the cities of tomorrow—advancing urban life through technology, smart systems, and a culture that attracts and empowers top talent.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience across all HR disciplines, Nicole brings deep expertise in leadership coaching, talent strategy, employee engagement, inclusion and diversity, organizational change, total rewards, and learning and development. She has led global teams and enterprise-wide initiatives that align people strategy with business transformation, ensuring organizations are equipped to grow, adapt, and lead in competitive markets.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from DePaul University.

James has dedicated his career to unlocking human potential with technology. He was previously Vice President of Strategy at Workday, where he worked with many of the world’s largest companies on their talent and learning strategies. James has worked with the White House on skills technologies for American workers, and has written extensively on the topic. Today, James is the co-founder of Tenor, the AI platform for people leader development.

Mindi Cox works to connect people with purpose to deliver human-centered business results. She believes an organization’s potential is intimately tied to its sense of humanity. After more than 25 years in Sales, Marketing, and as a Human Resource Executive for O.C. Tanner, her core goal remains the same: to help cultivate workplace cultures where individuals feel connected to the greater purpose and impact of their work, inspiring people to seek personal and professional progress.

Mindi has been honored with various awards for her work, including Silicon Slopes’ Chief People Officer of the Year in 2023, Human Resource Executive of the Year by the Stevie® Awards for Great Employers, and Human Resource Executive of the Year by Utah Business Magazine. She was also among the 30 Women to Watch in Utah Business. She is a member of the Forbes Human Resource Council and is frequently sought after to contribute to podcasts, books, and articles focused on workplace culture and people leadership.

Mindi also serves as a board member for the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah and Upwardly Global, a national organization working to support immigrants and refugees with international credentials to restart their careers in the United States. She is the proud mom to three busy sons and is grateful for the perspective her crew gives her on work, life, wellbeing, and whole-life awareness as a business priority.

Rosa Santos is a global talent and organizational effectiveness leader with deep experience designing and leading large-scale workforce and business transformations. She has held senior roles across organizations including PepsiCo, BP, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, partnering with executives to align talent strategy with business growth, innovation, and workforce resilience.

Rosa is known for her human-centered approach to talent strategy, pioneering initiatives in frontline employee experience, leadership development, internal mobility, and workforce capability building at scale. Her work sits at the intersection of people, data, and technology, helping organizations navigate AI adoption and digital transformation without losing sight of human value.

She is the creator and host of Yet, Human, a podcast exploring what it means to lead, decide, and build organizations in an increasingly AI-enabled world. Rosa’s thought leadership focuses on the future of work, ethical leadership, and designing organizations that are Human-by-Design. She is the CEO and Founder of Muntu Group, an executive advisory firm supporting leaders and organizations through human-centered transformation.

Rosa divides her time between Michigan, the UK, and Spain, working with clients across industries and a wide range of business and leadership priorities. Outside of her work, she enjoys baking and spending time with her husband and their two standard poodles.

Shawn Smith Shawn Smith is an experienced leader in change management and operational excellence, with a career spanning more than 21 years at Milliken & Company in Spartanburg, SC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University, a Six Sigma Green Belt from Milliken University, and multiple consulting and coaching certifications. For the past 15 years, Shawn has partnered with organizations around the world as part of the Performance Solutions by Milliken business, equipping executive and frontline leadership teams with the tools, behaviors, and systems needed to successfully navigate complex change. His work focuses on helping companies build resilient cultures, empower people through structured improvement, and sustain meaningful transformation.

Lauren Bidwell, Ph.D. Senior Research Scientist, Future of Work Research Lab SAP SuccessFactors [email protected] Lauren Bidwell, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist at SAP SuccessFactors. Her role involves studying the ways work is changing and driving innovative thinking around the implications of such changes for the effective design and use of HR Technology. Dr. Bidwell has engaged with hundreds of customer organizations around the world and is an active author and presenter on future of work trends and topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on employee experience, strategies to help organizations achieve their skills goals, evolutions in performance management, equitable talent decision-making, and more. Lauren received her Ph.D. in Experimental and Decision-Making Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

Heidi Walczak is Vice President of Marketing at Empyrean, a leading benefits administration and HR technology firm. With more than 25 years of experience, including eight years focused on benefits administration, Heidi works closely with HR leaders to improve employee engagement and adoption of benefits programs. She has helped shape modern benefits platforms that simplify complexity, support personalization at scale, and strengthen the connection between culture and employee experience. Her work centers on ensuring technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human side of benefits.

Heidi holds an MBA from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Miami University. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two sons.

Dan Marsella is a workforce transformation strategist with more than 14 years of experience advising enterprise leaders on how to use education as a lever for business performance. As Vice President of Enterprise Partnerships at Workforce Edge, he partners with HR, operations, and talent executives to design education benefit strategies that unlock internal mobility, close skill gaps, and deliver measurable ROI.

Dan brings a cross-industry perspective – spanning healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and beyond – grounded in a consultative approach that aligns workforce investment with organizational goals. He helps employers shift tuition assistance from a passive perk to a high-impact talent engine, equipping workforces to adapt, advance, and lead through change.

A frequent collaborator with senior leaders navigating transformation, Dan is known for reframing how organizations view talent development: not as a cost, but as a strategic advantage.

Ryan Hanson is Vice President of Enterprise Learning at Best Buy, where he leads a team of learning professionals dedicated to building a skills marketplace and transforming how employees learn and grow. His team is reimagining the employee experience, from onboarding and shoulder-to-shoulder training to modern, technology-enabled learning solutions that drive performance and engagement.

Ryan has spent more than 20 years with Best Buy, beginning his career in retail stores. Over the course of his tenure, he has held leadership roles in store operations, sales management, and corporate strategy, giving him a broad perspective on the business and its people.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the Business School at Eastern Washington University.

Jake Irland is Senior Director of Leadership Development and Learning Technology at Best Buy, where he leads enterprise efforts to modernize how employees learn, grow, and build capability. His work focuses on driving strategy for the advancement of skills based approaches in learning and development that deliver measurable impact for employees and the business alike.

Before joining Best Buy, Jake spent more than 15 years at Salesforce, where he led global teams focused on strategic partnerships, marketing, sales strategy, enablement, and go to market initiatives.

Across his career, he has been recognized for translating complex strategy into practical execution and for building strong, people centered partnerships. Jake holds a degree in Marketing from Washington State University.

David is a Partner and Managing Director for Creative Planning Retirement Services and is a member of the Retirement Leadership Team. He focuses on designing and implementing retirement, investment, and estate planning strategies for corporations, executives and government entities; as well as contributing to key strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining Creative Planning, David served as President of Mesirow Retirement Advisory Services and Chairman of the Investment Committee. In this role, David oversaw the investment, operational and client management processes and provided overall strategic direction for the business with AUM in excess of $15 Billion.

Matthew is Senior Principal for Talent Strategy at Guild Education, where he partners with new and existing employer partners on their talent practices, HR platforms, and skilling strategies. He has 20 years of experience in leading and consulting on talent development and learning transformations in Fortune 100s.

He leverages his expertise in learning technology, learner experience, and talent mobility to help clients prepare their talent to execute on their business and human capital strategies. He also conducts research and thought leadership on topics such as the intersection of L&D and DEI, talent trends, and the future of work. He regularly shares his insights and best practices through webinars, podcasts, articles, and industry events.

Matthew is also a member of the Defense Business Board, where he provides independent and objective advice to senior defense leaders on proven and effective best business practices. He is a contributor to leading industry outlets such as CLO, TD, CTDO, and Training Magazine, and serves on the advisory board of Class, a learning technology company. He is passionate about advancing the field of human capital management and empowering employees and organizations to achieve their full potential.

Sean D. Baptiste serves as the inaugural Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer (CPO) for Nemours Children’s. He is a member of the Executive Cabinet, reporting to Nemours President and Chief Executive Officer R. Lawrence Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP.

As CPO, Sean leads the enterprise people strategy with an intentional focus on building a highly engaged, resilient, associate-centric organization that delivers high quality patient outcomes. As a trusted executive partner, Sean is known for bringing systemness to complex organizations – aligning talent, culture, operating models, and leadership practices to drive consistency, scalability and performance across the enterprise.

Our bold vision of creating the healthiest generations of children requires an equally bold commitment to building the healthiest workforce in America. In such, Sean is the cultural champion and driving force for maintaining and cultivating a culture of thriving Nemours associates.

With a deep belief that people strategies enable business outcomes, Sean designs and executes integrated solutions across workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, total wellbeing and talent systems. His holistic approach ensures that the associate experience is intentional, connected and embedded into how the organization operates.

Prior to joining Nemours, Sean served in various human resources leadership roles at RWJBarnabas Health, where he was an integral member of the HR executive team.

Sean received his Master of Healthcare Administration from The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; his Bachelor of Science in Business from Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in Teaneck, New Jersey; and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Yellow Belt. He is a member of the FDU Silberman College of Business Board of Advisors.

Max leads Doxis’ Solution Engineering team, working directly with businesses to implement AI-driven automation solutions that streamline document management, improve workflows and drive operational efficiency.

Melissa Heggie is a versatile, results-driven business leader with a comprehensive professional human resource background supplemented by direct experience within the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia; She is known for inspiring talent and building high performing teams. Melissa is focused on helping an organization deliver results while cultivating value-based relationships and managing organizational change in high-growth environments.

Melissa partners with clients to focus and align their individual and organizational goals. She facilitates introspection and planning processes vital to achieving significant results. She is a certified executive coach focused on empowering leaders to create purpose driven-solutions to accomplish what matters most.

Melissa has 20+ years of experience as a human resource executive most recently with The Coca-Cola Company. Her prior experience includes working with other consumer good companies such as PepsiCo, Quaker Oats, and Danaher.

Melissa lives in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband Kenneth and her son Kendall who is a Junior at Morehouse College. Melissa graduated from Jacksonville State University with a B.S. in Business.

As a pioneer in the RPO industry for nearly 20 years, Jamie Minier is well-known for her steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to delighting clients, producing results, and inspiring employees and colleagues around her. Jamie’s current role as President ensures that her talent for operational excellence and service innovation is central to the NXTThing RPO offering.

Under her direction, NXTThing RPO has seen unprecedented revenue growth year over year, and expanded its footprint and reach to support organizations in multiple industries and of all sizes. Prior to joining NXTThing RPO, Jamie held senior leadership positions, serving as Chief Operating Officer at TheRightThing starting in 2004, and later as President of the organization through March 2011. Jamie also served as Vice President of Global Human Resources for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Gerrit Spengler is known for his work as an expert in the fields of human resources, organization design, strategy & transformation, and general management. Gerrit has worked for 14 years within Volkswagen Group and presently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Volkswagen Group of America & Volkswagen North American Region. Over his career, his work has taken him across three countries (Germany, Russia, United States). Prior to his current role, he served as CEO and General Director for Volkswagen Group Russia. He has also held HR leadership positions at both Volkswagen Group Russia and Volkswagen AG. Before joining Volkswagen, he worked for BMW, Mercer, Oliver Wyman, and MAN Truck & Bus. Gerrit holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration – Organization & Strategy from Technische Universität Chemnitz and a M.S. in Business Administration from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

With a business focus on addressing some of the most complex diseases of our time, Amanda Poole leads a global People team working together to foster a highly engaged workforce and inspirational culture at BMS. Made up of Talent and Culture, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, Business Partners, Leadership Development, People Services and Inclusion & Diversity, the BMS People Organization is focused on business evolution, growth, development and wellbeing.

Recognizing that people are at the heart of corporate success, Amanda is committed to creating exceptional experiences for our colleagues as they define what’s possible for the future of science and the patients BMS serves.

Amanda has deep pharmaceutical industry experience having joined BMS in 2004 in a career that spans both international and domestic assignments across varied business functions. She brings expertise in global talent management, change management, recruitment, M&A, labor relations and executive coaching. She previously worked for Raytheon, where she was an inaugural member of their HR Leadership Development Program.

Amanda is deeply passionate about the future of the pharmaceutical and People/HR sectors. She is dedicated to harnessing the power of rapidly advancing technologies, including AI, to create cutting edge, yet simple, experiences.

Amanda has a BS degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from The College of New Jersey. She serves as the executive sponsor of the Black Organization for Leadership and Development (BOLD) People and Business Resource Group at BMS and is a member of the Human Resources Policy Association (HRPA), Center for Executive Compensation.

She is an avid global traveler, enjoys playing tennis and spending family time with her husband and two teenage boys. At BMS, each colleague is asked “Who are you working for?” and keeps this person in mind each day as their purpose. Amanda works for her mom and brother-in-law.

Charlotte Taylor is the Vice President of People Experience Excellence at Google. In this role, Charlotte leads a global team responsible for end-to-end HR enablement. Her teams focus on delivering extraordinary experiences to employees, with a focus on transforming key operations and systems, enabling digital-first experiences, HR compliance, strategy execution, and more. Prior to joining People Operations, Charlotte held a variety of roles in Google’s Global Business Organization. Before joining Google, Charlotte was an Associate Partner with Monitor Group (now part of Deloitte). She lives in Seattle with her family. Her primary mode of transportation is bicycle and she is a reader of memoirs.

Karen Light has more than 20 years of experience as a senior HR executive responsible for People, Total Rewards, and Benefits Programs that drive talent retention and engagement, lead business transformations, and deploying solutions to decrease costs, reduce risk, and improve efficiency. At Walmart, she is responsible for supporting the well-being of more than 1.5 million associates.

Over the last several years, many organizations have taken a more direct and proactive role in fostering belonging and inclusion – not only internally, but also for the people they serve.

GE HealthCare recognizes the importance of embracing these values as a cornerstone of both our culture and business strategy, and in helping patients, who are the core focus of our mission of transforming healthcare for everyone.

As GE HealthCare’s first Chief DEI Officer, I was honored to design the company’s first diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, built upon the understanding that a workforce that is diverse and inclusive of unique perspectives and people is crucial to representing the patients we hope to help.

Our goal is to create an environment where every colleague can thrive, contribute, and continue our legacy of invention and innovation.

By reimagining the talent ecosystem, we can address structural and behavioral barriers to help every colleague perform at their best, share a sense of belonging, and feel valued. These initiatives focus on inclusive hiring, equitable advancement, enhanced engagement with underrepresented groups, and efforts to retain our best talent by investing in partnerships and training that keep our colleagues engaged.

We are also focused on amplifying all voices to enable a culture where everyone is heard and feels like they belong. We’re strengthening our listening channels and broadening our decision-making processes to amplify and embrace more diverse perspectives, ones that help us consider new ideas, reach more patients, and unlock new levels of innovation. Through new colleague-focused groups, we are helping increase representation, engagement, and retention, and foster a sense of community.

Collaboration plays a critical role in broadening our impact, and we are maximizing partnerships and being intentional about who we align ourselves with as an organization. We are focusing on building relationships with diverse organizations and institutions that strengthen our talent pipeline and support workforce development.

Through diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences and an inclusive culture, we can bring forward new ideas that help us challenge the status quo. This is critical as we tackle another key element of our strategy, which is to advance health equity. We recognize that health disparities arise from social, economic, and environmental factors, such as poverty, discrimination, lack of healthcare access, and unhealthy living conditions. As a healthcare company, it is even more important that we foster a workforce that can successfully develop solutions that help enable equitable access to care.

Addressing the root causes of health disparities is essential to improve patient outcomes, particularly among disadvantaged or marginalized groups. Our ambition to create a world where healthcare has no limits reflects our responsibility to address the individual, societal, and environmental barriers that lead to health inequities. Collectively, we are focused on improving health equity associated with cardiology, oncology, and neurology so everyone receives higher standards of health, no matter where they live or what their economic or societal circumstances are. We’re also working to support a company-wide health equity strategy to create sustainable, positive impacts in the communities we serve.

Every member of our organization has a role to play in making GE HealthCare’s workplace more inclusive. By embracing a growth mindset and creating opportunities for every voice to be heard, we can collectively drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and engage meaningfully with our communities.

Liz joined Panasonic in 2019 with over 20 years of experience implementing high-value HR programs from organizational development, change management, workforce planning and mergers & acquisitions in global organizations – Toys R Us, Pearson and most recently NICE. As the Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer, Liz is responsible for leading the Company’s HR technology and employee experience strategy.

As the senior vice president and chief people officer of The Kroger Co., Tim leads all areas of HR and Labor Relations including Total Rewards, Labor Relations, Diversity, Business Unit Human Resources, People Operations, Training and Development, Talent Hiring, Retention and Engagement, Corporate Affairs, Associate Communications, Shared Services and Aviation.

Tim joined Kroger in 2010 as vice president of Talent Development. He was promoted to group vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations in 2014 and was appointed as Chief People Officer in 2015. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2018. Prior to joining the company, he served in several HR leadership positions over 21 years at Procter & Gamble. Tim has an extensive global HR generalist background in leadership development, performance management, strategy development and employee communications and engagement.

Adrienne Trimble is the Senior Vice President and Global Chief Inclusion Officer at Visa, where she leads the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy across global markets. With a focus on fostering an inclusive culture that drives innovation and equity, Adrienne brings a wealth of experience in DEI leadership. Before joining Visa, she served as President and CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, advancing supplier diversity and economic inclusion for minority-owned businesses. Her career also includes significant leadership roles at General Electric and Toyota, where she shaped impactful DEI initiatives. Adrienne is a respected thought leader and advocate, dedicated to promoting inclusive practices that empower diverse talent and enhance corporate culture.

Michael Tuller is currently the SVP, Global Talent for PepsiCo.  In this role he is part of PepsiCo’s global HR Leadership team and responsible for setting the strategic agenda across all Talent Management practices including assessment, employee engagement, succession, people analytics and learning & development.

Most recently, Michael spent 9 years in PepsiCo in as an HRBP across four different roles. He most recently served as the VP HR, United Kingdom and Ireland where he was responsible to lead the HR agenda for the total business. He previously served in various HR Leadership roles in the PepsiCo Beverages North America. Before joining the Beverage organization, Michael was the Senior HR Director for several Global Functions leading HR efforts across several critical global transformations and helped build PepsiCo’s eCommerce business.

Michael began his PepsiCo career as part of the Enterprise Organizational Development group where he was responsible for leading several global leadership development and assessment programs.

Michael holds a B.A. in Psychology from Lafayette College as well as a Masters Degree and PhD in I/O Psychology from UConn.

Shannon Sisler is a business-minded, progressive leader with a successful track record building, directing and transforming people practices that enable high-level success for global corporations. She has significant experience leading large/diverse teams, serving as a Board/C-Suite advisor and creating comprehensive solutions throughout the employee lifecycle that drive outstanding business outcomes. Since 2017, Shannon has served as the Chief People Officer at Crocs, Inc. and has played a key role in the organization’s turnaround/growth, plus the addition of HEYDUDE.

Shannon earned her Executive MBA from the University of Denver (DU) and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, from the University of Colorado (CU) at Boulder. She is passionate about promoting education and advancing women/girls. Shannon served for seven years on the Girl Scouts of Colorado Board of Directors as the Vice Chair/Board Governance Chair. She currently serves on the University of Colorado (CU) Leeds Board of Alumni & Friends and the CU Center for Leadership Board of Advisors.

Shannon has received her NACD Directorship Certification, NACD Certificate in Cybersecurity through Carnegie Mellon University, and completed the Harvard Women on Boards program. She is qualified/interested in joining a public/private board with best fit on Compensation Committee or Nominating/Governance Committee.

With over two decades of experience in Total Rewards, Rodrigo Garcia has helped globally renowned organizations such as Kenvue, Diageo, Xerox, Reckitt Benckiser, and Cadbury Adams refine their approach to compensation and workforce programs. Having led Total Rewards initiatives across North America and Latin America while shaping global compensation governance, he offers a broad perspective on how organizations define and measure success.

He is passionate about rethinking conventional Total Rewards models, exploring whether compensation structures truly reflect the value people create and how they can evolve for greater impact. He believes reward practices should do more than follow market trends: they should shape behaviors, mindsets, and motivations that drive meaningful business outcomes. Advocating for a shift beyond efficiency and retention-focused models, he champions Total Rewards frameworks that align with how people experience their work.

Rodrigo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Venezuela, where he lived before moving to the United States nearly 20 years ago. An avid reader of societal trends and human behavior, he is also deeply interested in the intersection of technology and human potential, reflecting on how digital advancements continue to reshape our lives and work. A lifelong music enthusiast, he finds inspiration in discovering artists and genres, appreciating music as a powerful form of self-expression and connection, just as he is fascinated by what drives people, shapes their experiences, and creates a sense of purpose.

Daniela is responsible for driving business success through the design and execution of Siemens’ workforce strategy. A lifelong learner with a passion for people, sustainability and transformation, Daniela, in her most recent role as SVP, Head of Global Learning and Growth in Munich, Germany, helped reinvent learning and development experiences for Siemens employees across the globe.

Driven by her desire to foster a learning environment in the digital age, Daniela’s efforts have made Siemens a leader in learning and development, ensuring employees are equipped for the future. Her vision focuses on creating a transformative learning culture that empowers employees and strengthens Siemens’ competitive edge.

With a background in engineering and business administration, Daniela has ventured into various fields, including consulting, corporate strategy, and sustainability. Prior to joining Siemens in 2008, Daniela worked for Deutsche Telekom and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Originally from northern Germany, Daniela is based in Washington, D.C. with her husband, two sons and their family dog Mailo.

As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the US, I lead the HR strategy and operations for over 17,000 associates across 14 states. I have over 20 years of experience in the Coca-Cola system, spanning sales, operations, and HR roles.

My core competencies include people management and development. strategic thinking, price package architecture, sales and operations. I am passionate about developing and empowering talent, fostering a culture of excellence and diversity, and delivering value to our customers and stakeholders. Some of my achievements include leading the HR integration of multiple acquisitions, creating and implementing a new performance management system, and winning the Top Women in Grocery award in 2016.

LaTanya Langley serves as the Chief People and Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Edgewell Personal Care, where she leads the Human Resources and Legal functions. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the company’s litigation and disputes, intellectual property, contracting, compliance program, and providing legal counsel relating to all regulatory, sales and marketing. As the head of the global HR function, she leads a strategic agenda that supports the company’s global employees by driving growth, building and developing capabilities, leading through change, nurturing culture, and delivering innovative people solutions.

LaTanya has a proven track record as a dynamic team leader and brings more than 20 years of experience and considerable depth in global consumer goods to Edgewell. Most recently, she served as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Compliance Officer of BIC® Corp. In that role, she led a team with global responsibility for legal strategy and execution, in addition to global transactions including complex litigation management, human resources/employee relations, crisis management, commercial transactions, compliance and corporate governance.

Prior to this, she held positions of increasing responsibility within the legal function at BIC®, both in the United States and internationally. Before joining BIC® in 2015, LaTanya held several legal positions at Diageo PLC, a global leader in beverage alcohol, including General Counsel, Guinness Ghana Breweries, and Director and Senior Counsel of Diageo North America. She began her career in private practice as an associate at Paul Hastings LLP, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Shipman & Goodwin LLP, specializing in corporate law and business finance and restructuring.

LaTanya earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and Doctor of Laws from Trinity College, where she serves on the Board of Trustees, and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she currently serves as an adjunct professor.

Denise Abbott has served as Senior Vice President HR for FedEx Express Corporation since November 2021.

In this Business Partner role, Denise leads the HR strategy and service delivery for FedEx International and Airline Operations with a focus on talent, human capital management and enhancing the employee value proposition.

Denise has more than 30 years of employee relations experience working with corporate professionals in a variety of industries. She joined FedEx Ground in 2011 as a Senior Attorney in the Labor Law Group and held various roles within the company before becoming Vice President Human Resources at FedEx Ground in 2017. In 2020, Denise joined the FedEx Express team in Europe, expanding her role to include a global remit in 2023.

Denise earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and her law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. She is the recipient of the prestigious FedEx Five Star Award.

Denise currently lives in Amsterdam with her husband David where she enjoys traveling the world and learning to speak Dutch.

Kevin J. Delaney is CEO and editor-in-chief of Charter, a leading future-of-work media and research company. He was previously a senior editor for The New York Times and The Information. Kevin co-founded Quartz and served as co-CEO and editor in chief from 2012 to 2019. Prior to Quartz, Kevin was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal for a decade, with that time split between Paris and San Francisco. He became managing editor of WSJ.com, where he led efforts that won journalism awards and helped greatly expand the Journal’s online readership. Early in his career, Kevin was a TV producer in Montreal. He is board chair at the Internews global journalism nonprofit, and has a degree in history from Yale University.

D Crum, Vice President, Total Rewards, AbbVie, is responsible for Executive Compensation, Compensation, Benefits, Well-Being, Talent Deployment and HR Operations for the company.

Previously, D was AbbVie’s Vice President, Business Human Resources (BHR) for Corporate Staff Functions, where he led HR for several functions, including Finance, Business Technology Solutions, Legal, Office of Ethics & Compliance, Corporate Responsibility Brand & Communications, Government Affairs and Health Economics & Outcomes Research.

Prior to joining AbbVie in 2017, D held several HR roles of increased responsibility and scope across manufacturing and corporate for Kraft Foods and Pepsi. He is passionate about delivering strategic and executional leadership in the areas of well-being, employee engagement, organization design, capability building, policy and process development, talent and performance management, and employee/labor relations.

D holds a bachelor’s degree in labor relations from Michigan State University.

Outside of work, D enjoys spending time with family, running, and watching/playing sports. He currently serves on the AbbVie Foundation Board of Directors, proudly supporting philanthropy, employee giving and volunteerism for the company.

Brooke Thomas is the Vice President of People, Equity, and Inclusion at
Seminole Hard Rock. She has worked in the People and Inclusion space
since 2011 and has over a decade of experience leading organizations
across the globe through transformative and sustainable inclusion
strategies.

A graduate of The Michael E. Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State
University, Brooke has been published in a variety of publications,
including the Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice. Brooke started
her career as a civil rights attorney and has since worked with a wide
range of organizations, from tribal-owned entities in gaming and law firms
to non-profit organizations and the NHL. She was recently named part of
the Global Gaming Business 40 under 40 Class of 2024, and is the
founder of LGBTQ+ in Gaming under the American Gaming Association.

Outside of the office, Brooke enjoys spending time with her wife, Natalie,
and their dog, Kingston. She is an avid classical music fan and a
supporter of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. When she isn’t at
work or the symphony, you can catch Brooke and Natalie sneaking off to
Natalie’s home country of Jamaica for a weekend on the beach, or
volunteering together for national LGBTQ advocacy organizations.

• Senior Fellow at Haslam School of Business, University of Tennessee
• Board Member for Two Companies
• Private Equity Senior Operating Executive for The Carlyle Group
• Retired EVP, Global Supply Chain, Mondelēz International
• Former EVP, Global Supply Chain, Kraft Foods
• Former Global VP, Product Supply, Procter & Gamble

Daniel Myers is currently a Senior Fellow at Haslam School of Business teaching as a guest lecturer for both graduate and under-graduate studies. He currently serves as a Senior Operating Executive for the Carlyle Group, one of the largest Global Private Equity firms and is on two company boards. He is the retired Executive Vice President of the Global Integrated Supply Chain of Mondelez International where he led the Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Customer Service & Logistics groups, which represent more than 70,000 of the company’s employees.  Daniel held the same position at Kraft Foods Inc., the predecessor to Mondelēz International, since he joined the company in September 2011.  The spin-off of the company’s North American grocery operations occurred in October of 2012.  Under his leadership, Mondelez funded a major reinvention of its worldwide supply chain delivering more than $3 billion in savings over 3 years. He has extensive experience in investor management including representing Mondelez in the investor presentations at CAGNY and Barclays.

Prior to Kraft Foods, Daniel worked for Procter & Gamble for 33 years, serving in roles across all areas of the Supply Chain. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Product Supply, where he led the supply chain function for P&G’s Global Hair Care business. He was also responsible for coordinating the company’s $28 Billion Beauty & Grooming business.  He had responsibility for P&G’s Customer Service and Logistics operations globally for four years and while in this role he led the integration of the operations of the Gillette company, a $56 Billion acquisition.

Daniel has strong experience launching new brands and building operations in emerging markets. He has over 25 years’ experience delivering winning innovation leading major global expansions. He has worked in 54 countries and lived outside the U.S. for more than 10 years. Daniel has mastery in the successful implementation of best practices including building High Performance Organizations and Lean Six Sigma. During his successful career, he has had responsibility for over 250 manufacturing plants and 400 warehouse and distribution centers.

Daniel received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and served on the Board of the Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee for over 10 years.

Daniel and Karen, his wife of 40 years, are Christians who have led music and youth groups for 5 churches in three different countries over a period of 25 years. They have been active in mission work helping support and build schools or orphanages in Venezuela, Romania, Nigeria, Kenya, India and Myanmar.

Larry Kleinman is executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Highmark Health and founder and board chair of Lumevity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Highmark Health.

Under Mr. Kleinman’s leadership, Highmark Health is on a journey to reimagine its work using digital tools, process improvements and agile approaches to streamline and automate work that is highly manual, repetitive, time consuming and introduces unnecessary error. Building a technology first mindset allows individuals to focus on more meaningful work, enables core business performance and ultimately impacts Highmark Health’s financial performance, customers, patients, members and communities.

Kristy Touchet is Vice President of Talent Operations at Advantage Capital, where she leads the firm’s talent strategy with a focus on human capital management, data-driven people analytics, and a forward-thinking approach to talent acquisition and retention. At Advantage Capital, Kristy has been instrumental in optimizing talent processes and implementing systems that align with the firm’s ambitious growth goals, while ensuring a strong, resilient organizational culture.

With close to two decades of HR leadership across various sectors, Kristy brings a strategic perspective shaped by broad employment law knowledge spanning nearly 40 U.S. states, international HR experience, and a proven ability to implement transformative initiatives. Notably, she has led successful revamps of compensation and performance management systems and was pivotal in implementing a modern Human Capital Management (HCM) system, supporting Advantage Capital’s commitment to operational excellence.

Kristy holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, along with a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. Beyond her corporate role, Kristy is an active contributor to the HR community, volunteering with the Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Vermilion Charter Foundation, and Vermilion Economic Development Alliance to drive local development and advocate for impactful HR practices.

Outside of work, Kristy enjoys traveling and capturing moments through photography. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and two daughters.

Marquita Williams serves as the Executive Director of Organizational Learning & Development at AdventHealth. She is a published author and an adjunct allied health professor, with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is a respected figure in the sonography community, having chaired the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography organization.

As a change leader, she is dedicated to fostering a more engaged organization, promoting a culture of lifelong learning, and encouraging an empowering mindset among employees. Her motivation lies in driving positive change and building strong partnerships with transformational leaders and organizations.

Barb Hess is an accomplished senior human resources executive with an impressive history of helping private equity-backed organizations build critical infrastructure, scale, and achieve successful exits. Her success in private equity environments is rooted in her ability to quickly diagnose situations, generate practical solutions, make thoughtful decisions, and drive consensus across executive teams/boards of directors.

Barb is currently Chief Human Resources Officer for CCS Medical and since 2021, has been an integral part in standing up the CCS Health business, growing company revenue, expanding headcount 20-30% YOY while doubling the patient base, and boosting talent retention by 30% in a highly competitive labor market. Prior to this, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer for private equity-backed Medical Specialties Distributors (MSD) where her leadership and talent/succession management expertise contributed to the company’s rapid growth ($350M to $800M in 2 years) and ultimate sale to McKesson.

Earlier in Barb’s career, she was Director of Organizational Development for Cardinal Health (Fortune 20), where she implemented enterprise-wide solutions that shaped global culture and sustained progress via gaining C-Suite support and skillful change management. Barb started her career with Nationwide Insurance as an HR Business Partner supporting 4.5K employees across the Financial Services and IT groups.

Barb earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management/Labor Relations from Cleveland State University and a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University. Outside of work, she is active in the community with organizations such as Make-aWish (Executive Chair of Governance and Compensation Committee / Board Member for OH, KY, & IN) and The James Cancer Care Center fundraiser. Barb also enjoys having fun with friends and family, running, outdoor activities, and world travel.

Shari Slate is a transformative C-Suite executive known for pioneering strategies that unlock extraordinary value through purpose, people and technology. As Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at CVS Health, a Fortune 6 company, she spearheaded the strategic reimagining of organizational infrastructure, delivering an actionable framework to drive organizational purpose and transformation.

At Cisco, as Chief Inclusion and Collaboration Officer and SVP of Inclusive Future and Strategy, she created the first-ever Office of Inclusion and Collaboration (OIC), built on groundbreaking research demonstrating the business value possible from the convergence of Inclusion, Diversity, Collaboration, and Technology. She founded the $300M Inclusive Future Action Office, designed to ensure long-term accountability and demonstrate delivery on the company’s purpose promises. This office was responsible for creating, monitoring, measuring, and reporting on actions driving generational change. Her innovative programs, including the industry-first Multiplier Effect Pledge and Next Horizon People Strategy, systematically removed barriers to innovation and growth.

A sought-after thought leader and trusted advisor to CEOs and boards, Shari specializes in identifying value opportunities at the intersection of purpose, technology, and collaboration. Her expertise in building purpose-aligned strategies has transformed how companies approach talent development, stakeholder engagement, and business growth.

Recognized among the Top 5 Global Business Leaders to Follow by CIO Views Magazine, Shari serves on the Chief & Executive Leadership Council and previously contributed her expertise to the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council. Her proven track record of driving organizational transformation through purpose-aligned strategies has established her as a pioneering voice in modern business leadership.

Dr. Anthony C. Hood serves as Chief Access Officer for First Horizon Bank.

Dr. Hood’s tenure as a DEI executive has garnered a number of leadership awards including from Savoy Magazine, the American Marketing Association and the Birmingham Business Journal.

He previously served as the Director of Civic Innovation in the Office of the President at UAB as well as a Tenured Associate Professor of Management in the Collat School of Business at UAB.

An electrical engineer by training, Dr. Hood enjoyed a 10 year career with Bellsouth and AT&T supporting startup telecom companies in the firm’s wholesale division. He was honored with the Pinnacle Award, the company’s highest honor for productivity and leadership.

He left AT&T to pursue his PhD full time at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). Since completing his PhD, he has completed studies at the Harvard Business School, Stanford University and the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Dr. Hood received his undergrad and MBA from UAB (Go Blazers!). In 2019, Dr. Hood was honored by the UAB Alumni Association with the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Hood is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham and serves on the boards of a number of organizations including Opportunity Alabama, the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. He is also the Immediate Past Board Chair of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, the largest affordable housing provider in the state.

With over 19 years of experience in Human Resources, William Guardado is a seasoned HR professional who has worked across a diverse range of industries, including financial services, healthcare construction, and most recent agriculture. His extensive expertise spans talent acquisition, employee engagement, compliance, organizational development, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

He takes a collaborative approach to compliance and risk management, working closely with executives and various organizational levels to implement policies and best practices that protect businesses while maintaining a positive workplace culture.

William’s strategic experience has helped businesses enhance workplace culture, streamline HR operations, and implement best practices that drive success. Passionate about people and leadership, he is dedicated to empowering professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to foster a thriving work environment.

Join William at this seminar to exchange valuable insights, practical strategies, and real-world experiences to help organizations navigate the ever-evolving landscape of human resources.

Chris Gootherts came from a career as a piano recording artist and talent agent into the world of Talent Acquisition in 1993 in the San Francisco bay area. Over the past 30 years Chris has held domestic and international TA roles at Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as C level roles in 4 external recruiting firms supporting Fortune 100 companies. Chris joined Selkirk Sport (We are Pickleball) in September of 2023 as Vice President of Talent. His current role has him leading Human Resources (People Operations) as well TA.

Chris’ vast experience has led him to the conclusion that too many companies preach “hiring on potential” but hire post-college candidates based on experience rather than potential. He is now working for a company that has the largest market share of the fastest growing sport in the US and that has the most innovative hiring philosophy Chris has ever experienced. In this role Chris is free to use both his creative (music) and business talents to propel Selkirk to hire and develop talent to their fullest potential in areas employees had not yet achieved, or even considered for their career path.

An accomplished entrepreneur in talent acquisition and technology, Terry continues to build on more than 25 years of experience in the recruiting industry with his latest endeavor, NXTThing. A recognized leader in the talent acquisition field, Terry has founded and grown several highly successful enterprise recruiting brands. He leverages his wealth of industry expertise and strategic vision to build successful businesses that increase opportunity for all.

Before founding NXTThing, Terry was President of ADP Talent Acquisition Solutions. He led 1,000 ADP associates globally to ensure ADP clients benefited from HCM services, including RPO, screening and selection, ADP Recruiting Technology, I-9 verification, and AIRS.

Previously, Terry had founded Selective Staffing Inc., which he sold to Aon in 1998, and in 2003, he founded The RightThing, which he sold to ADP in 2011. Terry received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of Findlay in 2005.

For Terry, life’s most rewarding when experienced through meaningful relationships. Terry is a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a recognized industry speaker.

Terry enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and marlin fishing.

As the Vice President of HR Nicole is responsible for leading the strategic people initiatives with oversight of our talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, employee relations, learning and development, and diversity and culture. With experience in Pharma, Manufacturing, High Tech Software, Non Profit, Real Estate Management, and Retail/E-commerce Sectors she has a diverse background which has allowed her to utilize her out of the box thinking and stay away from a “one size fits all” mentality. She is driven to perfectly blend together our people’s needs with our corporate needs to create a successful organization where people are engaged and eager to be a part of. Outside of the office she spends time with her husband and three children. With a zest for life you’ll find her out and about trying to teach her children everything she can before they no longer want to listen to what she has to say.

With 25 years of experience in the petrochemical and refining industry, Kyle Pierce has built a distinguished career spanning engineering, strategy, consulting, and commercial leadership. Currently serving as the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Officer at LyondellBasell (LYB), Kyle is responsible for shaping and executing a global DEI strategy that fosters a culture of belonging, trust, and business excellence.

Kyle’s tenure at LYB has included pivotal roles in finance and strategy, where he served as a business consultant before advancing to Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Manager. In this role, he led transformative acquisitions and divestitures, including the acquisition of LYB’s India compounding businesses and the divestiture of key assets in France and Argentina—transactions that collectively generated over $500 million in value. He later transitioned to the refining sector, first as a Commercial Manager for feedstocks and then as Head of Crude Trading, where he played a strategic role in optimizing global supply chains.

As a business leader with a deep commitment to DEI, Kyle has been instrumental in integrating diversity and inclusion into core business strategies. Collaborating with global executives, People & Culture teams, and key stakeholders, he has successfully embedded DEI programs that drive workforce diversity, equitable opportunities, and inclusive leadership. His efforts in advancing DEI as a business imperative earned him the Outstanding Head of Diversity award from the Houston Business Journal in 2023.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, and a DEI certification, equipping him with the technical acumen, strategic insight, and leadership expertise to drive meaningful change.

With over 15 years of HR experience and multiple certifications, Heather is responsible for building a high-performing, people-first culture where talent thrives. With a focus on Assemble’s talent and culture, she leads initiatives that attract, develop, and retain top-tier team members while fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, and continuous growth. As an HR leader, Heather is excited to be part of a company experiencing such dynamic growth while creating amazing opportunities for its employees.

April Floyd has spent the last 20 years leading high-impact programs and driving strategic change. As Executive Director of HR Strategic Initiatives & Senior Advisor to the CHRO at Johns Hopkins University, she’s focused on shaping the future of work through career architecture, talent management, HR transformation, and leadership development. A key priority for April is strengthening internal mobility, ensuring employees have clear pathways to grow and thrive within the organization.

Previously, as Senior Director of Benefits and Worklife, she led institution-wide benefits strategy, enhancing retirement plans, healthcare programs, and work-life initiatives for faculty, staff, and students. Before joining JHU, April held leadership roles at Under Armour, where she developed a global benefits strategy, and at TESSCO Technologies, XLHealth Corporation, and Fieldstone Mortgage Company, specializing in compensation, benefits, and HR service delivery.

Passionate about innovation and employee experience, April is dedicated to designing HR strategies that not only support business goals but also create meaningful career opportunities and a workplace where people can do their best work.

Alan Winters is the Chief People and Diversity Officer and Deputy Chief Global Compliance Officer. He is responsible for Global Human Resources, Learning and Development, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Ethics, and Global Compliance for the Group.  Alan has over 28 years in operations and compliance management with global Fortune 500 organizations and has held leadership roles at Citibank, Sprint, and Express Scripts before joining TP. He has extensive operational experience leading global teams in the Financial Services, Healthcare, and Telecommunications sectors.

Ken Moses has been leading Cascade’s HR function since 2017.  A forward-thinking and performance-driven global strategi an hands-on Human Resources Executive. Proven trusted advisor, team builder, and results oriented leader. Driven to align the function to the business and achieve results and exceed expectations to ensure Cascade’s long-term and sustained success. Prior to Cascade, Ken was the CHRO for Penhall Co and prior to that, he spent 10 years as Sr Dir, Global HR for Quest Software which was acquired by Dell, for which he led the People integration efforts. Ken earned a Master’s of Science in Organizational Psychology from Cal State University at Long Beach.

Laura joined Diageo as the Human Resources Director, Diageo Business Services in September 2017 and was appointed as the EVP for HR, North America in January 2020. She is a member of both the North America and Global HR leadership teams. Since coming to North America, Laura has also become the executive sponsor of Conectados whose goal is to celebrate Latino roots, build an inclusive future and create connected moments for the Latino community.

Laura has 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Transformation leadership roles within CPG organizations and business consulting.

Prior to Diageo she spent 6 years with SABMiller within the Organizational Effectiveness team in the Global HR function, where she led the organizational transformation for a number of global projects, including the establishment of a world class Global Procurement organization, the creation of the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa and the design and implementation of a Global HR Operating Model.

Laura started her career with Accenture where she spent 15 years, commencing in Johannesburg and then transferring to London, where she became a Partner in 2008. Within Accenture she developed and implemented a variety of transformation and organizational change programs for global and regional organizations in the oil & gas, retail and utilities sectors.

Laura is South African born but left SA in 1999 and has lived in both London and Switzerland since then. She is currently relocating to New York (commuting between London and NY between Jan – June 2020 until she can permanently relocate to NY with her family from July 2020).

Experienced Vice President Human Resources with a history of working in the retail industry within both public and private companies. Skilled in Developing, Implementing and Leading People Strategies that drive business results. Proven track record of success in Organizational Design, Recruiting, Strategic Workforce Planning, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Executive Development. Accomplished human resources executive with a BBA focused in Human Resource Management from Baruch College.

Heather Godley, SHRM-CP has a diverse work experience in various roles and industries. Heather is currently working as the Director of Human Resources at Stradley Ronon since December 2020. Prior to this, they served as the Human Resources Manager at the same company from April 2019 to the present. Heather also held the position of Regional Office Manager at Stradley Ronon from September 2015 to March 2019, where they managed paralegals and non-exempt staff, handled staffing and training needs, and oversaw facilities management.

Before joining Stradley Ronon, Heather worked as an Event Coordinator at The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur from March 2014 to September 2015. In this role, they organized and managed various fundraising events, recruited and supervised committee members, and handled event follow-up and coordination.

Earlier in their career, they worked at Fox Rothschild LLP in different positions. Heather served as a Marketing Coordinator from April 2013 to September 2013, and as an Administrative Coordinator from July 2005 to April 2013.

Heather Godley, SHRM-CP, attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2004, although their specific degree and field of study remain undisclosed. Prior to their university education, they completed their high school education at Great Valley High School from 1996 to 2000. In addition to their educational background, Heather Godley obtained their SHRM-CP certification from the SHRM institution in February 2021.