Topic

Building a Culture for Workers and Companies to Thrive in Times of Change

In an era of digital transformation and rising employee expectations, companies will need to become even more attuned to the needs and aspirations of workers to keep them engaged and satisfied on their career paths. And in an environment of hybrid work and strained profits, employers will have to focus on making work both efficient and sustainable. How can companies do more with less, while maintaining employee well-being? What are the next frontiers in talent acquisition, employee benefits, learning and development, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging?

From Day One is a Recertification Provider for SHRM and HRCI. This session is eligible for 4 credits from both organizations. The Activity IDs will be sent to attendees after the conclusion of the session.



SCHEDULE

08:30 AM - 09:30 AM

EMK Lobby Breakfast

09:30 AM - 09:35 AM

Senate Chamber Opening Remarks

09:35 AM - 09:55 AM

Senate Chamber Efficiency and Worker Happiness: How to Find a Middle Ground (Fireside Chat)

How to keep workers engaged and focused on the mission? The innovative biotech company Biogen offers an array of programs to encourage learning, curiosity, flexibility of assignments, and mobility within the company. Employees even interact with patients to see the direct positive impact of their work.

Speaker:

Ginger Gregory, EVP and Chief HR Officer, Biogen

Moderator:

Callum Borchers, Columnist, the Wall Street Journal

09:55 AM - 10:00 AM

Session Introduction: Grubhub

Lisa Sadowski, Sales Executive, Grubhub

10:00 AM - 10:40 AM

Senate Chamber Creating Opportunity Within: How Employers Are Boosting Internal Mobility (Panel)

To retain valued workers and attract top talent, more companies are focusing on providing both upskilling and reskilling opportunities to their workers to help prepare them to move into new roles across the organization. What are the benefits to the company of improving internal mobility? How can employers coordinate these efforts by their executive teams and leaders in HR and talent acquisition? Why will better internal mobility align with efforts toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Panelists:

Shardé Marchewski, Global Head of DEI, Wayfair   

Alexandra Kiniry, Regional Head of Talent Acquisition, Henkel   

Anne Feeley, Global Talent Success Leader, Revvity  

Jason Cerrato, VP, Market Strategy, Eightfold

Stephanie Ricks, Director, Corporate Development & Technology Partnerships, Strategic Education  

Moderator:

Katie Johnston, Reporter, the Boston Globe

10:40 AM - 11:05 AM

Senate Chamber A Crisis of Connection: How to Unite Teams and Tools Through Times of Change (Thought Leadership Spotlight)

The latest research from Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) finds that just 15% of employees feel connected to their colleagues and only 28% feel capable of meeting unexpected challenges. And yet it is connection–to the mission of the organization, to one’s manager and to colleagues at work–that drives the resilience of individuals and teams so they can survive and thrive through anything. In this conversation, we’ll explore strategic approaches that organizations can take to help employees develop and maintain relationships and the unique role that recognition plays in ensuring employees have access to the people and resources they need so they can be productive and positive from anywhere they work.

Speakers:

Jeff Cates, CEO, Achievers

Sue Collard, VP of Belonging, Diversity and Equity, UKG

11:05 AM - 11:30 AM

EMK Lobby Coffee Break

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Studio B From Strategy to Inclusion: Advancing Through the Talent Maturity Model (Workshop)

Elevate your organization’s talent strategy with Seramount’s workshop on the five stages of talent-strategy maturity, which can guide your organization in identifying its current stage of DEI and strategically planning for future growth. The Talent Strategy DEI Maturity Model divides this process into stages under two strategic approaches: selective and informed. Recognizing that every organization is at a different point in this journey, our experts will highlight the importance of listening to employees and aligning stakeholders to foster a more inclusive environment. Key takeaways: understanding how to assess and enhance your organization’s DEI maturity; aligning talent initiatives with leadership to drive progress; and ebedding DEI into your organizational culture for a truly inclusive and equitable workplace.

Speakers:

Zsofia Duarte, Associate Director, Consulting & Learning, Seramount

Rumbi Petrozzello, Head of Strategy, Consulting, Seramount

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Studio C A Culture of Appreciation that Drives Results (Workshop)

Recent research from Reward Gateway | Edenred demonstrates the correlation between employee engagement and business results. The benefits of appreciation move beyond economic impact to include increased connection, creativity, and adaptability to change. Learn best practices to increase recognition–but as appreciation is about being seen as a whole person, not just thanked for your work–you will also learn how to support the general well-being of employees as well. Come to discover what real companies are doing to create a culture of appreciation in simple and comprehensive ways.

Speaker:

Alexandra Powell, Director of Client Cultural Insights, Reward Gateway

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Studio A The Power of Feedback: How It Can Make or Break Your Employee Experience (Workshop)

“Feedback is a gift.” We’ve all heard that adage before, but it’s an accurate statement when it comes to enabling successful teams. As executives and HR professionals focus on growth of their people and businesses, it’s critical to understand the importance of feedback and infuse that into the culture. This workshop will explore the real impact of feedback in your organizations and why it matters; memorable exercises that will amplify the importance of feedback; methods to infuse feedback strategies into your team and whole organization; and stories of companies that are doing it well to inspire action.

Speaker:

Rob Catalano, Chief Engagement Officer, WorkTango

12:15 PM - 01:15 PM

EMK Lobby Lunch/Networking

01:15 PM - 02:00 PM

Studio C Motivating Beyond Money: Investing in “Emotional Salary” to Engage and Retain (Workshop)

Three-quarters of employees would stay longer in a job where they feel supported and valued than one where they do not feel that way but were paid 30% more. Creating a culture where employees feel a strong sense of belonging has true business impact, and there are actions you can take today to improve employee sentiment for every function and level. Learn the non-monetary factors that ensure employees feel adequately rewarded and learn from your peers in a discussion about challenges and best practices.

Speaker:

Krystal Hindle, Director of Customer Success, Achievers

01:15 PM - 02:00 PM

Studio A Amplifying the Power of Belonging Through Inclusive Leadership (Workshop)

A sense of belonging is critical to your workforce’s engagement, productivity, and ability to do their best work. When your leaders—executives and people managers—know how to foster this sense of belonging throughout the organization and within their teams, they can unlock employees’ full potential. Join this session designed to give leaders the skills they need to be successful, from implementing the latest research on belonging to using Paradigm’s evidence-based Inclusive Leadership Framework and Assessment. 

Speaker:

Diego de los Ríos, PhD, Senior Consultant, Paradigm Strategy

01:15 PM - 02:00 PM

Studio B Using Simulation Learning to Reimagine Skills Data (Workshop)

How do you make training engaging, optimized, and effective? How do you capture the attention of thousands of global learners? Hear how Merck and ETU joined forces to use simulation learning to transform their mandatory training. As training is essential to enterprise success, Merck sought to re-engineer this learning globally to improve engagement, show clear behavior change, and optimize learning time through innovation. Merck delivered on that promise through immersive learning built on a learning simulation platform. Join us to hear more about the Merck case study and best practices around using simulations to help business units make decisions based on skill gaps, boost mandatory training engagement, and improve both soft skills and technical skills.

Speakers:

Katie Laidlaw, CEO, ETU

Jennifer Iannetta, Enterprise Learning Experience Lead, Merck

02:15 PM - 02:55 PM

Senate Chamber How Leaders Are Fostering Fulfillment Through Engagement and Recognition (Panel)

By prioritizing investments in recognition and focusing on employee engagement, organizations establish a foundation for sustained success. What are the most inventive ways to invest in your people, from innovative benefits, recognition, workshops, mentorship, and more? How are enlightened employers discovering what employees want and need? In what ways do these investments enhance company culture, promote employee retention, and foster engagement?

Panelists: 

Mike Dallas, SVP, Global Head of Employee Experience, Manulife

Julie Haskell, Managing Director, Head of Employee Engagement, State Street Corp.

Angela Cheng-Cimini, SVP, Talent & CHRO, Harvard Business Publishing

Sayar Lonial, Associate Dean, Communications and Public Affairs, NYU Tandon

Tony Karp, President North America, Prezzee

Moderator:  

Rebecca Knight, Contributing Columnist, Harvard Business Review 

02:55 PM - 03:20 PM

Senate Chamber AI-Powered, Human-Centered Team Transformation at Scale (Thought Leadership Spotlight)

In this session, we’ll delve into how leveraging advanced AI technologies can drive significant improvements in team dynamics and performance within large organizations. By integrating AI-driven insights with a human-centered approach, we will explore strategies for enhancing communication, collaboration, and leadership development. We’ll highlight real-world examples and case studies demonstrating how AI can support scalable, personalized coaching solutions that empower teams, foster innovation, and align with organizational goals, ultimately leading to sustained business success.

Speakers:

Will Foussier, Founder & CEO, AceUp

Rohit Begani, Chief Technology Officer AceUp

03:20 PM - 03:45 PM

EMK Lobby Coffee Break

03:45 PM - 04:30 PM

Senate Chamber Enhancing Holistic Well-Being With Comprehensive Benefits (Panel)

Holistic well-being is about nurturing every dimension of an individual’s life, from physical and mental health to financial wellness. Innovative well-being benefits can foster a more holistically healthy workplace, leading to greater productivity. How can employers get started with supporting overall well-being, and what methods can they use to gauge the effectiveness of their efforts? What role do innovative benefits, like earned wage access, student loan support, and comprehensive mental health care play in promoting a more inclusive workplace?

Panelists:

Hem Patel, VP, Total Rewards, Moderna  

Aravind Menon, Senior Director, HR, Procter & Gamble

Barb Short, Senior Director, Corporate Social Responsibility Engagement, Sanofi

Jon Harold, Head of Sales and Partnership, SoFi 

Moderator: 

Paris Alston, Co-Host, Morning Edition, GBH News

04:30 PM - 04:55 PM

Senate Chamber Employees Have Higher Expectations for Career Development: How Companies Can Respond (Fireside Chat)

An inside look at how an insurance giant retains and supports top talent by communicating clearly about their path for development, invests in training managers to lead effectively, and makes leaders more accountable for finding their successors. Plus: How this 173-year-old company is encouraging its workers to innovate, including the use of AI for solving business problems.

Speaker:

Cindy Ryan, Head of HR, MassMutual

Moderator:

Adi Ignatius, Editor in Chief, Harvard Business Review

04:55 PM - 05:00 PM

Senate Chamber Closing Remarks

05:00 PM - 05:30 PM

EMK Lobby Evening Reception


VENUE

Our Boston event will take place at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.