Summit Schedule and Session Information

8:00am - 8:25am: Welcome
8:25am - 9:25am: Recentering the Human in Human Resources: Using Data & People-Centered Design to Create A Brilliant Employee Experience Strategy (Dr. Kalifa Oliver)
9:25am - 9:40am: Break
9:40am - 10:40am: What 80’s action-adventure television taught us about technology, AI, and ChatGPT (Dr. Shawn Bergman)
10:40am - 10:55am: Morning Coffee Break
10:55am - 11:55am: Morning Concurrent Breakout Sessions

11:55am - 12:40pm: Networking Lunch
12:40pm - 1:40pm: Afternoon Concurrent Breakout Sessions
1:40pm - 1:55pm: Break
1:55pm - 2:55pm: Address your Hiring Challenges by Building Better Partnerships between Talent Acquisition & Human Resources (Alanna Dingler)
2:55pm - 3:10pm: Afternoon Coffee and Snack Break
3:10pm - 4:10pm: Remote Work Realities: Aligning Employee Preferences with Business Goals (Ron Garrow)
4:10pm - 4:45pm: HR Summit Wrap-Up

Welcome

8:00am - 8:25am

  • Dr. Shawn Bergman (HR Summit host)
  • Dr. Tim Huelsman (IOHRM program director)
  • Michael Boitnott (IOHRM Professional Foundation)
  • Dr. Tim Ludwig (HR Summit emcee)

Recentering the Human in Human Resources: Using Data & People-Centered Design to Create A Brilliant Employee Experience Strategy (Dr. Kalifa Oliver)

8:25am - 9:25am
Parkway Ballroom

This session will delve into how modern HR can revolutionize the employee experience through strategic data use and a people-centered design approach to work. Dr. Oliver will discuss how to leverage data analytics to understand and anticipate employee needs, and how to apply people-centered design to create solutions that truly resonate with your workforce. She will also explore strategies for integrating advanced technologies while maintaining a focus on human connection and well-being. By the end of the session, participants will gain the knowledge and tools to develop and implement a comprehensive employee experience strategy that boosts satisfaction, productivity, and retention – and, of course, recenter the human in Human Resources.

Learning Objectives:

  • Redefining Employee Experience: Attendees will learn the fundamentals of employee experience as a concept and how to redefine it in the evolution of work.
  • Understand the Role of Data in Enhancing Employee Experience: Attendees will learn how to effectively leverage data analytics to gain insights into employee needs, preferences, and behaviors, ultimately improving the overall employee experience.
  • Applying People-Centered Design Principles: Participants will gain practical knowledge on applying people-centered design concepts to HR practices, ensuring that strategies and solutions are tailored to the actual needs and experiences of employees.
  • Integrate Human-Centric Approaches with Technology: The session will provide strategies for balancing technological advancements with a human-centric approach in HR, enabling participants to create more engaging and supportive work environments.
  • Develop a Comprehensive Employee Experience Strategy: Attendees will learn to formulate and implement a comprehensive employee experience strategy that aligns with organizational goals, fosters a positive work culture, and enhances employee satisfaction and retention.

Break

9:25am - 9:40am

What 80’s action-adventure television taught us about technology, AI, and ChatGPT (Dr. Shawn Bergman)

9:40am - 10:40am
Parkway Ballroom

Humans' use of tools is nothing new, but the tools that artificial intelligence (AI) is creating are novel, powerful, and often misunderstood. These factors lead to an increased chance of people using AI-tools in the wrong way or for the wrong job, which can have harmful or disastrous consequences. This interactive session will dispel the mystique around AI and address some common misconceptions around AI-powered interactive platforms. Participants will also learn some tips and tricks for how to leverage generative AI to elevate their workplace performance.

Learning Objectives:

  • Gain an understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence and how they work.
  • Understand the current boundaries of artificial intelligence and how those limits relate to applications at work.
  • Determine the questions you should yourself before and after using an artificial intelligence platform.

Morning Coffee Break

10:40am - 10:55am

Morning Concurrent Breakout Sessions

10:55am - 11:55am

Navigating Political Speech at Work: Legal Boundaries and Employer Responsibilities (Wendy Ratcliff)

10:55am - 11:55am
Parkway Ballroom

Navigating the complexities of political speech in the workplace has become increasingly challenging for employers. This interactive breakout session is designed for professionals who seek to understand the legal boundaries, employer responsibilities, and practical strategies for managing political discourse in the workplace. Participants will explore the legal frameworks governing political speech in both public and private sectors. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will learn how to create and enforce policies that balance the need for a respectful, productive work environment with employees' rights to free expression. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges of political speech at work, foster a positive workplace culture, and minimize legal risks.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the legal landscape surrounding political speech at work, including relevant laws and regulations.
  • Identify employer responsibilities and potential liabilities related to employee political expression.
  • Develop strategies for fostering a respectful work environment despite political differences.
  • Learn best practices for crafting and enforcing effective policies on political speech at work.

Early-Career Launchpad: Navigating the HR Profession with Expert Insights (Luke Vavricka, Donovan Mattox, and Annie Jankura)

10:55am - 11:55am
Beacon Heights Room

Navigating the HR landscape as an early-career professional can be daunting, but with the right guidance and strategies, emerging professionals can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career. This session is designed to equip early professionals with the tools and knowledge to thrive in the dynamic world of HR. Join a panel of seasoned HR professionals as they share their personal journeys, valuable lessons learned, and practical tips for navigating the early stages of an HR career. Through this interactive session, attendees will gain insights into the panel's experiences, both successes and challenges, and will learn from their journeys. This interactive session will also provide attendees with the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with experts where they ask questions on a range of topics related to navigating an early professional career in HR. This session is tailored for students, early-career HR professionals, recent HR graduates transitioning into the workforce, and anyone seeking insights and guidance for a successful HR career.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn from the panel's personal journeys, successes, and challenges to gain a deeper understanding of the HR landscape.
  • Explore practical tips and strategies for accelerating your HR career, including networking advice, skill development recommendations, and leadership strategies.
  • Learn from the panel's experiences and insights to identify and avoid common pitfalls and challenges faced by early-career HR professionals.

HR Technology Implementations: Steps to Bring Your Initiative to Life (Kea Kerich)

10:55am - 11:55am
Rough Ridge Room

In the world of rapidly evolving technology, it is increasingly important that HR professionals learn how to successfully implement new systems and solutions to drive organizational performance. Given the high-stakes of HR data and processes, the steps needed to ensure a project is successful, on-time, and adopted are critical. These steps include building a compelling business case, selecting the right vendor and partner, and engaging in the proper steps to ensure long-term sustainability. This hands-on session will guide participants through the critical stages of HR technology implementation. Through interactive group exercises and real-world case studies attendees will gain practical skills in identifying the right solutions, executing effective project kick-offs, gathering requirements, managing the build and test phases, and ensuring successful deployment and adoption. At the conclusion of this session attendees will have the knowledge, tools, and templates to help them implement HR technology that deliver tangible business value and elevate the strategic role of HR in their organizations

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the key steps involved in HR technology implementations – from beginning to sustainment.
  • Identify the important team members and stakeholders who need to be involved in all phases of the project.
  • Apply a structured approach to solution identification, vendor selection, and project kick-off that sets the foundation for success.
  • Know how to recognize and mitigate the common pitfalls that may delay or derail a HR technology implementation.

Networking Lunch

11:55am - 12:40pm

Afternoon Concurrent Breakout Sessions

12:40pm - 1:40pm

12:40pm - 1:40pm
Parkway Ballroom

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Human Resources (HR) by enhancing efficiency, improving decision-making, and streamlining processes. However, the integration of AI in HR also brings significant legal considerations that organizations must navigate to avoid potential pitfalls. This interactive session will provide a comprehensive overview of how organizations are leveraging AI in HR and the associated legal implications. The expert panel will delve into the practical applications of AI in HR and the critical legal aspects. Attendees will gain insights on how organizations are successfully implementing AI in various HR functions, such as recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement. Participants will also get an overview of the legal landscape, including compliance with equal employment opportunity laws, mitigating AI bias, and ensuring data privacy and security. The session will feature opening remarks by each presenter followed by an interactive Q&A. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of using AI in HR and learn best practices for implementing AI technologies while minimizing legal risks.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore how AI is being used in various HR functions.
  • Learn about the legal implications of using AI in HR, including compliance with equal employment opportunity laws, data privacy, and security.
  • Gain insights into current practices for integrating AI in HR while minimizing legal risks and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

How to Navigate Tough Conversations as a Leader (Morgan Powers and Rita Barsz)

12:40pm - 1:40pm
Beacon Heights Room

One of the highly dreaded accountabilities of being an HR leader is having to maneuver through a tough conversation on your team or with the employees you support. Not only do many of us want to avoid conflict, but we may also be fearful of losing respect, offending others, or even find ourselves distrusting our own judgment. When we combine these internal concerns with external excuses to avoid a crucial conversation, we push off addressing a topic that may end up causing additional stress or even a financial drain on the business that will eventually need to be tackled later anyway. This session will cover how to best navigate through a tough conversation including how to prepare for a constructive dialogue, successfully address performance concerns with impactful feedback delivery, have effective conflict resolution, and develop the ability to flex your communication style. One size won’t fit all – being a strong HR professional means fluidly adjusting your approach to successfully manage your talent. By the completion of this workshop, you will not only have a firm grasp on how to keep your employees motivated through a better understanding of their drivers, but will then be able to use that to better lead them forward through tough situations and opportunities for future success.

Learning Objectives:

  • Ability to build connection, trust, and a safe space between an individual and their manager while delivering crucial feedback.
  • Recognition of when a tough conversation is needed and how to successfully obtain buy-in from your employee for a path forward.
  • Identify strategies that will allow you to structure crucial discussions to improve performance, concerns, and address opportunities.
  • Understanding of methods and best practices for de-escalating high stress situations to avoid further conflict and move towards an agreed upon solution.

Adult Learning in Action: Support and Develop New Leaders in Your Organization (Victoria Macindoe and Lindsey Wuerfel)

12:40pm - 1:40pm
Rough Ridge Room

The transition from an individual contributor role to a people leader can often be a challenging transition to navigate. Being a leader of others requires achieving results through others, not just by oneself. This transition is a journey that often involves a fundamental shift in mindset and a change in one’s approach to getting work done. Employees who were individual high-performers often find this shift difficult. For example, new leaders often struggle to delegate, motivate their team by connecting them to the bigger picture or support their team’s development through feedback and coaching, which hinder their ability to lead effectively and impact team performance negatively. This interactive session will explore the common pitfalls new leaders face and provide strategies to overcome these challenges. The session will also highlight the application of adult learning theory in leadership development and demonstrate how adult learning theory can be applied in an organizational setting. Participants will experience firsthand the power of interactive training methods currently used at Collins Aerospace designed to equip new leaders with the tools they need to drive performance and become high-performing leaders.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify and understand the common challenges new leaders face and why it is important to team success that leaders overcome these obstacles.
  • Learn practical strategies to avoid and overcome these common leadership pitfalls.
  • Explore how adult learning theory principles, such as self-directed learning and practical application, can enhance leadership development programs.

Break

1:40pm - 1:55pm

Address your Hiring Challenges by Building Better Partnerships between Talent Acquisition & Human Resources (Alanna Dingler)

1:55pm - 2:55pm Parkway Ballroom

As businesses internally evolve, so does the landscape in which they operate. As a result, there are numerous new, and some recurring, challenges that businesses are facing to attract and hire the best talent. This session will first examine current talent acquisition issues facing organizations, including skill shortages, a focus on skills-based hiring, and the need to adapt to changing technologies. The session will show attendees how to reimagine the HR space by presenting practical strategies for overcoming challenges, such as leveraging data-driven recruitment, creating innovative employer brands that appeal to top talent, and evolving partnerships between HR and business leaders. By reimagining, innovating, and developing intentional and strong relationships, Human Resources professionals can build talent pipelines for the current and future business landscapes.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the relationship between Talent Acquisition and Human Resources and the challenges currently facing both.
  • Explore how to enhance partnerships throughout the organization to enhance the talent acquisition process.
  • Learn how to build out a Talent Programs framework to build successful talent pipelines.

Afternoon Coffee and Snack Break  

2:55pm - 3:10pm

Remote Work Realities: Aligning Employee Preferences with Business Goals (Ron Garrow)

3:10pm - 4:10pm
Parkway Ballroom

The shift towards remote work has highlighted a significant preference among employees for the flexibility and efficiency it offers. However, this trend poses challenges for executives and business leaders who recognize the value of in-person collaboration for fostering innovation and maintaining a strong organizational culture. Additionally, many organizations face the dilemma of underutilized physical assets, such as office spaces and amenities, which were designed to enhance on-site work experiences. This session will explore the complexities of balancing in-person, hybrid, and remote work models and will address the concerns of HR professionals and leaders who are striving to create policies that encourage in-person collaboration without alienating employees who prefer remote work. The discussion will include strategies for effectively utilizing physical assets and overcoming the practical challenges of hybrid work arrangements.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the reasons behind employees' preference for remote work and executives’ emphasis on in-person collaboration for innovation and culture building.
  • Identify the practical challenges of hybrid work models, such as hybrid meetings and project management, and develop solutions to address these issues.
  • Learn leadership techniques to foster a cohesive and productive hybrid work environment, leveraging technology and clear communication to bridge the gap between remote and in-person teams.

HR Summit Wrap-Up

4:10pm - 4:45pm
Parkway Ballroom

Drs . Tim Ludwig and Shawn Bergman will lead attendees through an interactive recap of the HR Summit that highlight lessons learned, connections made, and strategies attendees can start using on Monday.