Steven Kowalski is an organization development consultant, speaker, executive coach, and the author of “Creative Together: Sparking Innovation in the New World of Work.” 

He has more than 25 years of experience facilitating the creativity of scientists, engineers, business leaders, and professionals across industries to blaze new trails, catalyze creative potential, and deliver real-world innovation. 

Steven delivers bold solutions that are scalable and sustainable through his firm, Creative License™ Consulting Services. He holds a Ph.D. in adult learning and organizational creativity from UCLA, works for biopharma pioneer Genentech and is the author of over 100 workplace learning programs.

Through Creative License Consulting Services, Steven offers: 

• Organization development, transformation, and organization design

• Business innovation and organizational transformation strategies

• Culture change initiatives

• Inspirational speaking engagements and learning programs 

• Coaching for leaders and leadership teams 

At Genentech, Steven focuses on strategy execution and organizational transformation for Roche’s global Product Development organization. He also delivers innovation programs within multiple business functions and has led key HR initiatives including creation of Genentech’s employee Career Center, Work and Career Flexibility philosophy and programs, and development of the Roche Leadership Commitments and competency model.

Alex is a highly experienced employee engagement consultant, trainer and speaker. For over 15 years she has helped HR and business leaders implement strategies that drive true culture change.  Her wealth of knowledge comes from coaching and training thousands of managers from a wide range of industries across the globe. Alex focuses on providing organizations with proven practices that drive results for varied leadership styles and the multiple generations in the modern workforce. Her presentation will leave you motivated and better equipped to lead your organization on a path to a more engaged workforce, making the world a better place to work.

With over 20 years of success as an HR leader, Kathleen brings an energetic and innate passion for people. Her transparent and pragmatic approach has helped her to build strong relationships with leaders to move the organization forward. In the alcohol beverages industry for most of her career, Kathleen has a unique blend of functional HR expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the commercial environment within the spirits sector. At family-owned Bacardi, she leads all HR efforts across North America with an approach that preserves and celebrates the unique culture of the company. High engagement and retention results have helped Bacardi in the U.S. become Great Place to Work-Certified™ every participating year since she joined in 2018. The company boasts a family of well-known brands beyond BACARDÍ rum, including PATRÓN tequila, GREY GOOSE vodka, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, and many more.

Prior to Bacardi, Kathleen was a leader at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, a $20+ billion beverage distribution business and the largest in North America. During her time there, she was instrumental in building a Bacardi-dedicated division along with its people agenda. Earlier in her career, she worked in multiple roles at Diageo, including the Guinness Beer Company, and previously at Altria Group (formerly known as the Phillip Morris Management Company).

Over the course of her career, Kathleen has spent significant time leading and supporting Belonging and Wellbeing activities, with a specific focus on her passion for advancing women in the workplace and effective strategies to promote wellness and self-care. At Bacardi, she is a key contributor to the company’s Women in Leadership program dedicated to unleashing the potential of current and future female leaders.

Kathleen has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from William Smith College in Geneva, NY. First and foremost, she is the mom to an amazing ten-year-old, and together they are living their best lives in Parkland, FL.

Abbe Partee is the VP, Head of Global Certified Learning at DHL Supply Chain. Abbe is an enthusiastic leadership and culture specialist who has spent the past 17 years at DHL Supply Chain in various capacities, but always leaning towards the leadership, learning, talent management, and recruiting space. She spent 10 years in the North American business, 5 years in Latin America and is now in a Global Learning capacity where she and her team focus on building a culture of engagement and World-Class leaders. She has a passion for leading teams, coaching, and empowering people to be their best every-day.

Carlos Pardo is the Chief Learning Officer at Microsoft Latin America 

Lori Winkler is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Zimmer Biomet and the President of the Zimmer Biomet Foundation. Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZBH) is a Fortune 500 global leader in the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of orthopedic reconstructive products, including knee and hip implants; sports medicine, biologics, extremities and trauma products; craniomaxillofacial and thoracic products; and related surgical products. Zimmer Biomet has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries.

In her role, Lori leads all facets of the Human Resources function spanning Total Rewards, Talent Management, Learning and Development, Talent Acquisition, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, M&A HR-related activities, and HR business partnering, which spans all business and functions. Lori is also responsible for Zimmer Biomet’s ESG and philanthropic strategies.

Lori oversees a global employee population of 18,000 spanning over 25 countries and 4 regions and leads a global HR organization of 300+ employees. Lori is a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and is a Section 16 Officer of the organization. Lori joined Zimmer Biomet in 2020 as Group Vice President, HR for the Global Businesses Group, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to joining Zimmer Biomet, Lori served as a Global Vice President of Human Resources in the Cardinal Health Medical Segment, where she was responsible for 8,000 employees in over 70 countries. Prior to joining Cardinal Health, Lori was with Johnson & Johnson for over 20 years. During her tenure with J&J, Lori served as the Global Head of Human Resources for Finance and Procurement, working with the Chief Financial Officer of J&J and members of the CFO’s senior staff. Lori was responsible for developing and leading key talent management and leadership development strategies including succession planning, talent acquisition and assessment, performance management, change leadership, organizational health, executive coaching, and strategic messaging and communications. In this role, Lori was responsible for over 9,000 employees worldwide. Prior to her role with J&J Finance, Lori served on a number of Global Management Boards as the HR leader for integrated, commercial businesses including Cordis and DePuy, as well as large-scale global functions including the Corporate Office of Science and Technology, Research & Development, and Corporate Affairs. Lori’s HR experiences include executive coaching, integration and transition strategies, talent management with a focus on assessment and succession, performance and development, talent acquisition, and business partnering.

Lori has a Master of Science Degree in Human and Organizational Development from Barry University, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Florida Atlantic University, and an Executive Leadership Coaching Certification from Georgetown University.

Lori serves on the Board of Trustees for Family Promise, where she Chairs the Compensation and Talent Committee. Lori also serves on the Advisory Board of The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization in the entertainment industry.

As Head of HR Effectiveness, William is responsible for leading the design and implementation
of improvements to the HR service delivery experience for Bayer’s nearly 100,000 employees
around the world, including enhancements and changes to the self-service portal “AskHR.” His
team steers direct access as part of the HR transformation roadmap, including change and
communications planning, implementation of an HR Community Engagement Framework, and
steering of the global HR portfolio (resources, vendors, and projects).
Prior to leading HR Effectiveness, William was global Communications Lead for Bayer’s HR
Innovations team, focused on shaping leader messaging around talent, Inclusion & Diversity,
and the Next Normal. He developed strategic internal and external communication campaigns
globally for the primary HR functions within HR Innovations and actively supported leaders with
their internal and external engagements as well as social activation.
William was also the U.S. Employer Branding Lead responsible for representing Bayer’s Great
Place to Work culture with candidates via social, online, print, and in-person engagements,
including management of Bayer’s Awards & Recognition strategy. Prior to this, he served as
Global Employer Branding and Talent Outreach Manager for Monsanto. In addition to attracting
talent in-person and online, William developed and executed campus strategies for core
universities in North America and partnered with collegiate organizations to bring world class
talent to Monsanto. As Talent Acquisition Operations Analyst at Monsanto, William managed the
logistics and assessment of career fairs, conferences, and information sessions across the U.S.
William is actively involved in BLEND, Bayer’s business resource group for LGBT+ employees
and their allies. Prior to Bayer, William directed Tabor School of Business’ Arts &
Entrepreneurship Program where he redesigned the curriculum and built an incubator for
student startups. He also spent several years in marketing and event promotion after earning
his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Millikin University.

Brie Harvey is a talent management leader and digital strategist who writes and speaks about trends within Human Capital Management and the future of work.

Having served in a variety of leadership roles for HR Technology companies over the last decade, she brings expert level knowledge of Total Rewards, L&D, talent acquisition, and how to cultivate workplace cultures that transform employee engagement and the Employee Value Proposition.

Passionate about the intersection between behavioral science, managerial effectiveness and technology, Brie has partnered with some of the world’s largest, most complex organizations to build high performance cultures centered around authentic appreciation, trust and inclusion.

In her role as an Employee Engagement Evangelist, Brie works with the research arm of Achievers, the Workforce Institute, to share data-based insights about how to enhance employee engagement and recognition strategies for a pandemic-era workplace.

Elizabeth Wixted Scott is the Global Head of Talent Management & DEI at CSL Behring. 

Stacey is a seasoned Change Management professional with over 20 years of experience in delivering complex change solutions across a variety of industries. She receives great joy from helping clients understand and land change and also from developing team members and organizations in Change Management skills and competencies.

In her current role as a Global Change Leader for Genpact, an international consulting firm, Stacey is the North and South America People Advisory Services leader for select clients. She is responsible for change strategy and people leadership across multiple programs.

Andrea Shiah is the Head of Talent Strategy and Transformation for Eightfold AI where she partners with executives to help them leverage skills AI and deliver on talent priorities and human capital productivity.

Prior to joining Eightfold, Andrea had a 25-year career at American Express.  As the head of Global Talent Acquisition, she led a 2-year global transformation that included the implementation of Eightfold ai.  While at Amex, Andrea held many roles including leader for Amex’s flagship Consumer Platinum and Centurion Cards, leader for OPEN small business credit card portfolio, and the head of Global Payroll.  The common theme in her diverse roles, is her focus on transforming and delivering improvements to products, processes, and performance. 

Andrea worked in a variety of industries earlier in her career: as a founding partner in a marketing firm helping Fortune 500 Companies reach immigrant communities in the US, and spearheaded AT&T’s inaugural multicultural marketing strategy for International Long Distance.

Andrea has served on several Boards including the Museum of Chinese in the Americas and Harmony Labs.  She is an avid swimmer, enjoys traveling, and eating in great restaurants.  She lives in New York City with her husband and is excited that her twin daughters have successfully entered the workforce.

Jeff Williams, Aptia US President and CEO, is responsible for Aptia’s benefits administration services book of business based in the Boston headquarters. Prior to  joining Aptia, Williams served as a Corporate Officer as Vice President, Enterprise and HR Solutions for Paychex where he drove record revenues. Williams is a graduate of the General Management Program at Harvard Business School, earned an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, and a BA in Business Administration and Political Science from Brock University. In his spare time, Williams actively contributes to his community by serving on a number of charitable boards including Habitat for Humanity.

 Adria Ferrier launched Elayne after experiencing firsthand the complexity, frustration, and mental toll of estate settlement following her mom's passing - and its profound negative impact on her career. Instead of focusing on her work, she spent countless hours searching her mom’s office for important documents, googling how to plan a funeral, and navigating the probate process. After eight months she burned out and resigned; that’s when she realized her experience is all too common. Adria is a former healthcare private equity investor at Blackstone and Permira, and holds degrees from NYU Stern and Wharton.

Ernie is a senior partner with Aon's Human Capital Practice and Head of Workforce Transformation Advisory for North America. He has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors and is an acknowledged thought leader in AI in HR, Talent Assessment, Skills-based workforce, Organizational Efficiency and Leadership Effectiveness. Ernie helps clients by providing effective solutions related to selection, employee engagement, succession planning, employee wellbeing, and leadership capability assessment. 

Prior to joining Aon in 2008, Ernie was an organizational effectiveness director at Freddie Mac and director of the competency assessment branch at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. He first began working in the industry in 1990. Throughout his career he has helped organizations achieve business results through people strategies.

Ernie’s expertise includes developing and implementing talent management strategies, defining workforce capability requirements, ensuring HR practices are legally and professionally compliant, leading large scale, global workforce transformation initiatives, identifying market trends, and developing innovative strategies to drive business performance. Specifically, Ernie works with Aon’s largest global clients in various sectors, creating solutions at a global scale, while incorporating local labor market dynamics. This has become particularly relevant around issues of data privacy and use of artificial intelligence. He is an active member of the American Psychological Society, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Personnel Testing Council of Metropolitan Washington.

As Director of Alumni and Employer Partnerships for General Assembly, I help companies accelerate and diversify their tech talent hiring at scale. We have the largest bootcamp community of alumni who we leverage for events, hiring, and more, and are amazing candidates for tech roles at all levels.

Zak Kovat is the Director of People Operations & Talent at ezCater, where he’s spent nearly eight years scaling teams and creating an award-winning, employee-first culture. His work focuses on designing a dynamic, people-centered organization that drives growth and innovation. Outside of work, Zak is an avid golfer, currently ranked 11th among Rhode Island’s amateur players. Known for his competitive spirit and dedication, Zak brings fresh insights on fostering resilient, people-powered workplaces.

Dana is the Vice President of HR / People & Culture, Luxury & Lifestyle Americas-East Regional of IHG Hotels & Resorts. 

Constance Jones is a two-time Emmy^® nominated journalist who currently anchors the station’s weekday morning newscasts, NBC 6 News Today at 5am and 6am, from the station’s Miramar-based studios. She joined NBC 6 in February of 2021, after anchoring at WRIC-TV in Richmond, VA.

Jones has worked in several television markets, including New York City, Miami, Oklahoma City and Atlanta. She returned home to Miami, where she previously spent nine years as an anchor and reporter at local station WPLG-TV, and also worked at WLRN National Public Radio in South Florida. Jones also worked with veteran news journalist Dan Rather at the CBS Evening News.

Outside of television, Jones worked alongside the Broward State Attorney as the Communications Director for the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Jones has been honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Science, received an award from the Texas Associated Press for her reporting work, and multiple awards and recognitions from several regional chapters of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for Excellence in News Reporting. She was also featured as Miami's “Top 40 under 40 Leaders of Tomorrow” in Legacy Magazine. Jones is a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Jones spent most of her childhood overseas, including time in Timisoara, Romania.

She is married to Miami-based artist Troy Simmons.

Paul A. Pavlou is the Dean of the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School. He is also the Leonard M. Miller University Chair Professor.

His research has been cited more than 90,000 times by Google Scholar, and Thomson Reuters recognized him among the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” based on an analysis of Highly Cited Researchers. Paul was ranked No. 1 globally in publications in top Information Systems journals from 2010 to 2016. He earned a Ph.D. in Information Systems and a master’s in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and managerial studies, magna cum laude, from Rice University.

In his former position as Dean of the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, Paul helped raise over $150M in philanthropic gifts and commitments.  During his tenure, the Bauer College led all business schools by ascending 34 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings to become a Top 50 MBA program; climbed 44 spots in the online master’s programs rankings; joined the Top 15 public undergraduate programs by Poets&Quants; and ranked #1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program by The Princeton Review for five consecutive years.

He also prioritized experiential learning and job placement through initiatives like the Office of Experiential Learning and various research institutes, while also enhancing community inclusion with programs such as the Center for Economic Inclusion, securing over $10M in philanthropic support.

Paul is a Distinguished Fellow of the INFORMS Information Systems Society. He won several Best Paper Awards for his research, including the Sheth Foundation Award for “Long-Term Contributions to Marketing” published in the Journal of Marketing (2019), the Maynard Award for the “Most Significant Contribution to Marketing” in the Journal of Marketing (2015), the Information Systems Research Best Paper Award (2007), and the IS Publication of the Year Award (2006). He also won the Best Paper Award (2012), the Runner-Up to the Best Paper (2005), the Best Interactive Paper (2002), and the Best Student Paper Award (2001) from the Academy of Management.

Paul received over $3,500,000 in grants from funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), including a new $1,500,000 NSF grant in 2021 to study energy disruption. His research appeared in top journals, such as Management Science, Information Systems Research, MIS Quarterly, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, and Production and Operations Management His research spans several disciplines (information systems, data science, marketing, operations management, and management sciences) with emphasis on artificial intelligence, business analytics, and digital strategy.

Paul also won several Reviewer awards, including the 2009 Management Science Meritorious Service Award, the Best Reviewer Award of the 2005 Academy of Management Conference, and the prestigious 2003 MISQ Reviewer of the Year Award as a Ph.D. student. Paul is currently Senior Editor at ISR and earlier at MISQ and JAIS. Finally, Paul won the Best Doctoral Dissertation award at the International Conference on Information Systems in 2004.

Loren Blandon is the Global Head of Organizational Development at advertising powerhouse VML, the world’s largest creative company. With over 17 years of HR expertise across industries including tech, healthcare, and FMCG, Loren stands as a force in the field. Previously serving as CHRO, head of L&D, HR Ops, talent management, and more, she has navigated the complexities of the Talent landscape for some of the globe’s leading companies like SAP and SABMiller. Recognized for her insightful musings on the state and future of work, Loren brings a distinctive perspective to the table, positioning herself as the go-to for innovative strategies, all underscored by a penchant for constructive disruption.

Tom has had the privilege of driving growth and innovation at some of the most dynamic companies in the SaaS sector and beyond. Over the past 15 years, he has partnered with global HR teams while working at companies such as WTW and Thrive Global to improve EX and develop future of work initiatives.

Tom holds a degree in business from Boston University and resides between New Jersey and Florida with his wife and daughter.

Throughout the last 15 years, Drew has had the opportunity to gain extensive experience partnering with executives and HR leaders across a variety of industries. By collaborating with some of the world’s most well-known organizations, he aims to understand the complex ecosystem that drives each company forward, so that he can positively impact their overall employee experience. 

Drew is a champion of flexible workplace environments who graduated from the University of Florida and resides in New Jersey with his wife and two sons. 

Michael Butler writes about minority business and trends that affect marginalized professionals in South Florida. As a business reporter for the Miami Herald, he tells inclusive stories that reflect South Florida’s diversity. Just like Miami’s diverse population, Butler, a Temple University graduate, has both local roots and a Panamanian heritage.

Haeli Harris is the director of clinical operations at Nivati, a licensed mental health therapist, yoga instructor, health and wellness coach, and mindfulness practitioner dedicated to helping others through holistic health and healing. She takes a client-based, solution-focused approach helping the client to find their own solutions that are within them and building on their own strengths. Haeli has specialized training in combining yoga and mental health including using a trauma-informed lens when working with her clients. She is also a mother to teenagers and a lover of chocolate and dancing!

Paul Bomberger has been a business journalist for three decades, most recently the business editor of the Miami Herald, from November 2021 until October 2023.  

Before joining the Herald, Bomberger had been a senior business reporter and the business and metro editor at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in California's San Francisco Bay Area for three years.  Bomberger previously had been at the Houston Chronicle as an assistant metro editor/specialty enterprise storytelling. He was also an assistant business editor/weekend editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer.  He had been managing editor of Business Insurance, a Crain Communications publication in Chicago, an assistant business editor at the Palm Beach Post and deputy business editor at the South Florida Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale.  

Bomberger is a Philadelphia area native and Temple University graduate.

Rocki Rockingham is an accomplished C-suite professional with over 30 years of domestic and international business experience in human resources, communications, community relations, public affairs, and marketing communications. She has a proven track record of success as a strategic partner supporting business objectives in various Fortune 500 companies.

Rocki's expertise includes managing corporate acquisitions, turnarounds, and growth businesses while leading through transformational change. She’s known for her proactive, innovative, and global approach to problem-solving and leadership. Rocki is a highly influential mentor who connects with individuals across corporate, community, and entrepreneurial circles.

Under Rocki's leadership, GE Appliances has been recognized for its innovation in employee recruitment and retention, consistently earning accolades as a Forbes Great Place to Work and achieving a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index.

Currently, Rocki serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for GE Appliances, a Haier company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to joining GE Appliances, she was Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Newell Brands, Appliances and Cookware Division, in Boca Raton, Florida. Throughout her career, Rocki has held leadership roles in Human Resources, Corporate Communications, and Public and Community Affairs at other Fortune 500 companies, including Jarden, General Motors, and Chrysler Corporations.

Committed to community engagement, Rocki has served on numerous boards, volunteered, and sponsored charitable events. She is a dedicated mentor for youth and actively seeks opportunities to make a positive impact. Rocki has also worked extensively with community and civic groups to improve and manage community, diversity, and civic initiatives. She has partnered with government, corporate, and community organizations on local, state, and national levels.

Rocki holds a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Journalism from McKendree University.

Drew Holler joined Lennar in October 2022 as Chief Human Resources Officer and runs all HR, people operations, and communications for the company. Holler previously spent more than 20 years at Walmart, having started in supply chain operations and ultimately growing into several senior leadership roles at the company across supply chain, regional store management, and people innovation. Prior to Lennar, Holler most recently served as Walmart’s Senior Vice President, Associate Experience, and then SVP, People Partner for U.S. Operations. He graduated from John Brown University with a B.S. in Business Administration and earned his MBA at the New York Institute of Technology.

Tom Dufek Jr is a Partner at FLD.

With over 15 years of executive strategy and sales experience in the health care industry and employee wellness, Bianca Carr is a recognized leader and speaker in member engagement and prepaid-card incentive solutions for preventive health outcomes and government programs and other business that are focused on employee health and wellness. Bianca is an industry expert, having worked at two large fintech payment companies and also representing MN in the employer SHRM space. Bianca’s core competencies include building business partnerships solving complex industry challenges and developing new product innovations within the health care and government sectors. She works with health plans, wellness companies, and government programs, especially Medicare and Medicaid, to improve HEDIS, CAHPS, and STAR ratings using prescriptive member  engagement and incentive strategies. She also consults on critical programs that affect states and federal programs within health
care, such as COVID relief, human aid, and accessibility to PPE. Bianca’s mission is to design and deliver easy-to-use, member-centric, and data-driven programs that create an increased awareness on healthy actions and social determinants of health.