This year’s HRO Today Forum focuses on empowering HR to be a strategic force in shaping the future of work.
By Maggie Mancini
Amid a cooling talent market, declining employee motivation, and technological disruptions impacting workplaces across the globe, HR leaders face a host of challenges as they work to position their organizations for future success. Slowed economic growth and a drop in voluntary turnover over the past year has resulted in significant reductions in hiring. At the same time, the rapid advancement of AI technology has shortened the shelf-life of crucial skills and changed the way work is performed.
By addressing the key challenges facing HR today, people leaders can prepare for the industry of tomorrow. At the HRO Today Forum, attendees will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, network and engage with industry leaders, and share best practices for navigating the impacts of automation, driving employee engagement and retention, and align HR initiatives with key business objectives. Below is a closer look at what’s on this year’s agenda.
KEYNOTE: Navigating the Evolution of Work
Speaker: Professor Sasha Strauss, CEO and founder of Innovation Protocol
The world of work is constantly evolving, and HR plays a crucial role in navigating change and fostering a culture of connection. As the CEO and founder of Innovation Protocol, Professor Sasha Strauss has advised organizations of all sizes on aligning brand, leadership, and employee experience to drive employee retention, manage the impacts of automation, prevent burnout, and build positive, people-centric workplace cultures.
In his keynote speech, “How HR Leaders Communicate Hard Things,” Strauss will deliver actionable insights that position HR as an innovative, strategic force in shaping the future of business.
THINK TANK: Developing Trusting Relationships
Speakers: Gary Burrus, executive officer of human resources at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Lori Knowles, chief human resources officer at Memorial Hermann Health System.
The role of a CHRO—or any executive leader—is to build trusting relationships with both executive colleagues and employees. For the CHRO, this skill is crucial, as it enables leaders to align the HR function with key business priorities and secure executive buy-in for key initiatives.In this talent-focused think tank session, “Building Trust,” two HR leaders will discuss trust dynamics and offer attendees the opportunity to share their own successes and failures in building trust with fellow executives and the broader workforce.
THINK TANK: Strategic Succession Planning
Speakers: Billy Parsons, chief human resources officer at EyeCare Partners and Laura Muir, chief human resources officer at Polaris Transport.
Amid an unprecedented number of worker retirements due to the “Peak 65” phenomenon, leadership development and succession planning are more crucial than ever. Successful programs for leadership development allow for internal promotions to secure the future leadership of an organization. But what is the best way to build a leadership program?
In this think tank session, “Leadership Development,” two CHROs will start the discussion on best practices for succession planning and executing successful leadership development programs. Attendees will have the opportunity to chime in on options that may be useful for their organizations.
THINK TANK: Securing Business Results Through Comprehensive Total Rewards
Speakers: Nate Bigler, chief people officer at St. Luke’s Hospital and Emily Barron, chief people officer at Basis Technologies.
In today’s market, attracting and retaining top talent goes beyond offering a competitive salary, according to research from Gallup. Though pay remains key, employees are increasingly considering an organization’s benefits and total rewards when making employment decisions. Tracking and managing employee benefits, compensation, and recognition are now easier to track than ever before due to the proliferation of technology platforms that can help improve retention, drive culture, and attract talent.
In this tech-focused session, “Benefits and Total Rewards ROI,” two HR leaders will present ideas around the importance of leveraging technology to support compensation and benefits strategy. Attendees will discuss the best practices of total rewards, find ways to measure outcomes, and align those outcomes with HR and business results.
The world of work is constantly evolving, and HR plays a crucial role in navigating change and fostering a culture of connection.
THINK TANK : Leveraging Community Partnerships
Speakers: Logan Carmichael, chief people and culture officer at Pittsburgh Water and Garri L. Brown, chief people and culture officer at Port of New Orleans.
Building a varied and dynamic talent pool requires not just a great recruiting team but also great partnerships with affinity groups, educational institutions, and other community organizations. Community partnerships provide access to diverse talent and foster strong relationships between the organization and the broader community.
This session, “Community Partnerships for Talent,” will allow attendees to discuss how best to review, analyze, and implement community partnerships to develop successful channels for talent acquisition and build a better workforce.
THINK TANK: Managing Corporate Responsibility
Speakers: Dan Chappell, EVP and chief human resources officer at Seacoast Bank and Maggie Driscoll, chief people officer at Blackbaud.
Employees are increasingly looking for a more enriching, purpose-driven work environment. Two-thirds of employees indicate they are seeking more purpose from their work, according to research from McKinsey & Company. Often, it falls to HR to manage employee volunteerism in pursuit of corporate responsibility and philanthropic goals, as employee participation in these initiatives are linked to improved retention and engagement.
In this future-focused session, “Corporate Responsibility and Engagement,” two HR executives will facilitate a group discussion with attendees about managing corporate responsibility programs and how other HR leaders can leverage these programs to “do well” while helping employees “do good.”
CHRO PANEL: Preparing for the Future
Moderator: Maryjo Charbonnier, CHRO at Kyndryl
Speakers: Paul Gregory, chief people and culture officer at Securonix; Dr. Archana Arcot, chief people officer at Unifi Aviation; Kenneth Ceaser, chief people and culture officer at Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Jeff Krupp, CHRO at Inotiv; and Riya Sood, CHRO at Opsec Security.
HR leaders are faced with unprecedented challenges, from managing AI and HR technology disruption to attracting and retaining top talent in a market with record low attrition rates.
This round-up of CHROs will gather to discuss today’s most pressing issues, including labor shortages, the multigenerational workforce, navigating advanced HR technology, and preparing leaders and employees for the future of work.
