IN-PERSON

Boston CHRO Executive Summit

June 7, 2022 | Renaissance Boston Waterfront

June 7, 2022
Renaissance Boston Waterfront

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Boston's top CHROs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CHROs today:

Enhancing DEI frameworks interwoven into the employee lifecycle

Developing a strong EVP and future-thinking recruiting strategies to retain top talent

Creating intentional connections with remote or hybrid workforces

Boston CHRO Governing Body


The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven by CHROs, for CHROs.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Ronald Arigo

AAA Northeast
Senior Vice President, Head of Human Resources

Lisa Britt

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer

Mary Beth DeNooyer

Keurig Dr Pepper
CHRO

Joseph Sangregorio

AMRI
CHRO

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CHRO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Boston CHRO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Evanta's Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Agenda


June 6, 2022

6:00pm - 8:30pm  Governing Body Welcome Reception

Governing Body Private Dinner

Governing Body members host this dinner for attendees to launch the event with an evening of peer networking.

11:30am - 12:30pm  Lunch Service

12:30pm - 1:05pm  Keynote

Competing on Culture: How Employee Listening Drives Business Success

Greg Harris headshot

Greg Harris

CEO

Quantum Workplace

Culture, employee experience, and retention are critical priorities for Boston CHROs as hybrid/remote environments continue to shape the modern workplace. Leaders must recognize there is no silver bullet for culture. True impact will come from organizations that strategically listen to their employees and focus on what matters—building a strong foundation for employee engagement, performance, and development. 

In this keynote session, Quantum Workplace CEO Greg Harris will show:

  • Research on the employee experience and organizational culture in the new world of work
  • The intersection of culture and engagement, and where to aim your strategies
  • How employee-first cultures will drive retention and dominate the next decade of work


1:05pm - 1:20pm  Break

1:20pm - 2:05pm  Breakout Session

Staying Competitive Through Inflation

Dr. Roberto Rigobon headshot

Dr. Roberto Rigobon

Professor, Applied Economics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The latest battle HR executives are fighting in the “War for Talent” is the U.S. economy, with inflation shifting the hiring process to favor job seekers.
How can businesses compete with new and exciting offerings to attract and retain top talent, and how long will this environment last?


In this session, MIT’s Dr. Roberto Rigobon will address:

  • New trends in the labor market
  • Why there is more uncertainty in the current economic environment than ever before
  • How HR executives can factor the unknown into strategic planning


1:20pm - 2:05pm  Breakout Session

The Revolution Will Be Digitized

Doug Plourd headshot

Doug Plourd

Learning Delivery Director

ADP

During a time of so many unknowns, hard facts in data & analytics as it relates to recruiting, retention and upskilling are now crucial to the strategic functions of HR.
In order to hold onto valued employees and attract the next generation of workers, companies are having to rethink their approach to both.

In this session learn how to:

  • Balance the data vs. feel
  • Redefine your D&A strategy to attract the next generation of employees
  • Translate upskilling to retention in a hybrid world

1:20pm - 2:05pm  Executive Boardroom

Prioritizing the Health and Wellbeing Agenda

Belinda Hyde headshot

Belinda Hyde

SVP, Global Human Resources

Waters Corp

Janell Dubsky headshot

Janell Dubsky

Vice President Human Resources

Martignetti Companies

Now more than ever, there is a need for workplaces to adapt their policies around health, wellness, and benefits programs to address their workforce’s current pain points, or risk missing the mark and losing valuable talent. As companies adopt new models for the hybrid workplace, the focus is shifting to individual employee needs. Focusing on wellbeing is crucial for leaders in creating an inclusive experience for employees regardless of where or when they work. CHROs have to ensure they are addressing the whole spectrum of physical and mental wellbeing. 

In this discussion HR leaders will address:

  • How a hybrid work environment reshapes employee priorities and needs
  • Creating a supportive and inclusive experience that is unique to each member of your organization
  • Establishing programs and processes to destigmatize mental health

1:20pm - 2:05pm  Executive Boardroom

Pushing for Equity to Cultivate Employee and Business Success

Melanie Lougee headshot

Melanie Lougee

Head of Employee Workflows Strategy

ServiceNow

Alejandro Reyes headshot

Alejandro Reyes

SVP & Chief People Officer

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Laura Shen headshot

Laura Shen

Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

WEX

According to Gartner’s 2022 Board of Directors Survey, 45% of boards have DE&I on the agenda every quarter or at every board meeting. This data supports the tectonic shift in initiatives driving both social and business value following heightened tensions in the past couple of years. With equity programs in place, what can HR leaders do to keep pushing for more and get support from the board?

Join this session to discuss: 

  • How to get widespread support across the enterprise that an equitable and inclusive work environment is a strategic business priority, not just a nice thing to do
  • What can be done to hold leadership accountable
  • How to maintain momentum on programs already in place and push for more 

7:30am - 8:15am  Registration & Breakfast

8:15am - 9:00am  Keynote

Coaching Resilient Leaders Through Challenges and Change

Dr. Kiki Ramsey headshot

Dr. Kiki Ramsey

CEO, The Positive Psychology Coaching and Diversity Institute

Guest Speaker

Challenges arise every day in the workplace whether it’s dealing with disgruntled staff, diversity, budget cuts, changes in management, shortage of good staff, or even managing personal issues. With all these challenges arising there is a need for leaders to understand and employ resilience. In this highly engaging keynote, Dr. Kiki, Executive Coach, and Positive Psychologist will teach leaders how to use coaching as an effective tool to resolve conflict and challenging issues and employ resilience, all while still setting and meeting meaningful company goals and remaining competent leaders.

Dr. Kiki Shares:

  • The research on what makes resilient leaders
  • How to overcome the tough issues and remain relevant
  • How to use coaching as a tool to resolve conflict and develop resilience


9:00am - 9:30am  Networking Break

9:30am - 10:15am  Breakout Session

Diversifying Boston Sports

Brendan Reidy headshot

Brendan Reidy

Chief People Officer

Acushnet Company

Amy Waryas headshot

Amy Waryas

CHRO

Boston Red Sox

Evan Pierce headshot

Evan Pierce

VP, People & Culture

Boston Celtics

Boston-area teams have been on an unprecedented run of championships. But “Title Town” still has a long journey ahead in building a front office that reflects the city, culture and society.
In this panel, Boston HR sports leaders will discuss:

  • DEI barriers that have/need to be broken in local professional sports
  • Strategy to track DE&I efforts using consistent metrics
  • How DEI transformation can be made at historically non-diverse corporations


9:30am - 10:15am  Breakout Session

Developing Human-Centered Leaders to Thrive in the New World of Work

Meggan Flaherty headshot

Meggan Flaherty

Senior Global Client Partner

AceUp

Elizabeth Egan headshot

Elizabeth Egan

Senior Manager, Talent Management

PTC

With the world and workplace in a constant state of flux, leaders are required to be more adaptable, empathetic, and, above all, human. Learn how to create a leadership development strategy that is both people-centric and drives business performance.

In this session, HR leaders discuss:

  • Providing training and support to leadership teams
  • Building an adaptive, yet consistent program, that motivates and retains employees
  • Strategies that help develop employees into future-ready leaders

9:30am - 10:15am  Executive Boardroom

Benefits as a Cultural Differentiator

Richard Wolfe headshot

Richard Wolfe

CEO

Empyrean Benefit Solutions

Jill Andy headshot

Jill Andy

SVP, Human Resources

Amica

Ellen Wallace headshot

Ellen Wallace

Vice President of Human Resources

Berkley One

Research shows employee experience, company culture and positive organizational outcomes can all be tied back to company offerings.
Now more than ever, benefits that focus on wellness and enhanced employee experiences are in high demand and can impact recruitment and retention.
In this boardroom, HR leaders will discuss:

  • Strategies of benefit offerings to attract and retain talent
  • New benefit expectations from employees to amplify company culture
  • How modern offerings can play a strategic role for business outcomes

9:30am - 10:15am  Executive Boardroom

The Role of HR in Times of Crisis and Change

Dana Bennett headshot

Dana Bennett

CHRO

Udacity Inc

Janice Deskus headshot

Janice Deskus

CHRO

Staples

Jez Langhorn headshot

Jez Langhorn

CHRO

Global Partners LP

Alexandre-Pierre Mery headshot

Alexandre-Pierre Mery

Sr HR Leader- Corp Finance and Digital Technology

GE Power

In the past few years, the HR function has found itself at the center of crisis after crisis. The impact on people means the responsibility for navigating the pandemic, social justice, political turmoil, and now even war lands in HR’s lap. How can CHROs navigate the current challenges, while also setting up the function to stay adaptable for future disruptions?

Join this panel of CHROs as they discuss:

  • The impacts of disruption on talent, HR strategy and the business at large 
  • How to navigate immediate crises, including keeping employees safe and making public statements
  • Ways HR can set the organization up for resilience to navigate global shocks

10:15am - 10:45am  Networking Break

10:20am - 10:45am  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

10:45am - 11:30am  Breakout Session

A New Era for ESG

Ronald Arigo headshot

Ronald Arigo

Senior Vice President, Head of Human Resources

AAA Northeast

Mary Beth DeNooyer headshot

Mary Beth DeNooyer

CHRO

Keurig Dr Pepper

Magali Four headshot

Magali Four

Chief People & Culture Officer

PerkinElmer

ESG is not a new concept; a majority of S&P 500 organizations issue comprehensive annual reports. Today though, many investors (and a growing population of Millennial/Gen-Z workers) are calling for increased organizational efforts around environmental sustainability, corporate responsibility and DEI strategy. And who gets to lead these new initiatives and craft the story to be told? HR leaders.

In this session, CHROs will discuss:

  • Establishing ESG to support talent mobility and engagement
  • Interweaving ESG and DEI initiatives
  • Identifying growth opportunities to drive organization outcomes

10:45am - 11:30am  Breakout Session

Creating Fulfilling Experiences that Amplify Resilience

Gary Beckstrand headshot

Gary Beckstrand

VP, O.C. Tanner Institute

O.C. Tanner

As work changes, one thing is clear – a generic approach to culture will no longer suffice. Insightful strategies that tap into the psychological needs of employees are essential in creating fulfilling experiences that attract, engage, and retain top talent in an evolving market.

Join this interactive session to uncover:

  • Key factors that contribute to the Great Resignation
  • How fulfilling autonomy, mastery, and connection builds resilient cultures
  • The power of recognition in creating fulfilling employee experiences

10:45am - 11:30am  Executive Boardroom

Onboarding is Off Track. Have You Evolved Your Approach?

Melissa Jezior headshot

Melissa Jezior

President & CEO

Eagle Hill Consulting

Stephen Dwight headshot

Stephen Dwight

Chief Talent Officer

Takeda

Michelle Saunders headshot

Michelle Saunders

Vice President, Head of Talent Management

HarborOne Bank

Employee onboarding is surging as employers fill vacancies in the wake of the Great Resignation. In a market where finding skilled employees is critical, onboarding should be a top priority. However, onboarding has gotten exponentially harder as organizations have more of it to do – and more riding on its success. How can CHROs rethink onboarding to meet new hire needs?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Strategies for investing in and communicating your employee experience and culture from the start
  • Engaging the whole organization in onboarding
  • Pivoting to a more human-centered and team-oriented approach to onboarding

10:45am - 11:30am  Executive Boardroom

Succession Planning 2.0 — Are your current leaders moving the needle?

Samuel Dergel headshot

Samuel Dergel

Founder & CEO

DERGEL Executive Search

Beth Carlson headshot

Beth Carlson

VP, Global Talent Development and Learning

Raytheon Technologies

Mark Griffin headshot

Mark Griffin

Chief Human Resources Officer

BJ's Wholesale Club

Your business and leadership team have both changed over the past 2 years. But has your succession plan evolved to fit current needs? As your business looks forward, how can you ensure you’ve prepared for what’s to come?
In this boardroom, HR leaders will discuss:

  • Ways to identify and develop future-ready leaders
  • The biggest challenges in modern-day succession planning
  • How to develop a diverse leadership bench prepared to take on a variety of roles

11:30am - 11:40am  Break

2:05pm - 2:35pm  Networking Break

2:10pm - 2:35pm  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

2:35pm - 3:20pm  Breakout Session

Upstarting Through Uprooting

Adam Robitaille headshot

Adam Robitaille

Head of HR Market NA

Milliporesigma

Frontline workers are the backbone of almost every organization. When MilliporeSigma looked to expand their teams in North America, they realized one key element was missing: Qualified talent.
To combat the issue, creative and new ideas were needed to replenish dried employee pipelines.

In this case study, HR leaders will discuss:

  • Evolved offerings to boost an employee supply
  • How strategic marketing can lead to impactful hiring
  • What’s next in the war for talent


2:35pm - 3:20pm  Breakout Session

Driving Growth for Your Organization and Employees

Kristi Hummel headshot

Kristi Hummel

Chief People Officer

Skillsoft

Carolyn Wiesenhahn headshot

Carolyn Wiesenhahn

SVP HR

CVS Health

A sweeping moment of re-evaluation has caused employees at every level to reassess their relationship to work — redefining who holds power in the employer/employee dynamic. In the face of a new social contract between employers and employees, how can HR leaders retain talent, develop skills and drive the business forward?
In this session, HR leaders will discuss:

  • Building skills and developing career paths to curb attrition
  • Rethinking employee experience to attract and retain talent
  • Linking employee development to organizational goals and growth

2:35pm - 3:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Coaching and the Psychology of HR

Carolyn O'Boyle headshot

Carolyn O'Boyle

Chief People Officer

The Boston Beer Company

Andy Porter headshot

Andy Porter

Chief Administrative Officer

Relay Therapeutics

Providing employees with the necessary skills to succeed in their jobs is a basic function of HR, but what about developing mindset and behaviors?
Communication that flows in all directions is key to empower workers, achieve organizational goals and make them feel secure during times of rapid change.
In this session, HR leaders will discuss:

  • Understanding the psychology of communication in the workplace
  • Creating psychological safety nets
  • Democratizing the access to coaching to all levels of business

2:35pm - 3:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Recruiting and Retaining Talent in a Volatile Business Environment

Jill Vitali headshot

Jill Vitali

District Vice President

ADP

Gerardo Guerra headshot

Gerardo Guerra

Head of Total Rewards

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co

John Weaver headshot

John Weaver

Vice President of Human Resources - Worldwide

IPG Photonics

Facing a once-in-a-generation workforce reshuffling, standardizing in your recruiting and retention strategies is the surest way to lose the war for talent. Instead, HR leaders must embrace an agile approach that adapts to change on a monthly, not annual timeline.
In this session, you will discuss:

  • Creating adaptive hiring forecasts 
  • Creating fluid teams that build flexibility and expertise around critical business needs  
  • Using non-traditional retention strategies

3:20pm - 3:35pm  Networking Break

3:35pm - 4:10pm  Keynote

Walk This Way: Boldly Driving Belonging, Connection and Inspiration in the New Workforce

Stephanie Franklin headshot

Stephanie Franklin

Chief Human Resource Officer

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

There’s never been a more important time to create a sense of belonging, foster connection and inspire our people. As we emerge to a new normal, HR organizations continue to play a critical role in the nurturing and engagement of today’s talent – from hire to retire.

In our Closing Keynote, Stephanie Franklin of Vertex Pharmaceuticals will share:

  • The nature of the evolving employee value proposition in today’s near-post-COVID workplace
  • Ways to innovate throughout the employee life cycle to support our people in the moments that matter
  • Evaluations of recent experiences and future possibilities for the state of HR

4:10pm - 4:40pm  Closing Reception & Prize Drawing

June 6, 2022

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering


Location


Venue & Accommodation

Renaissance Boston Waterfront
MORE INFORMATION

Your Community Partners


CHRO Thought Leader
Program Partners

Community Program Manager


For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Dmitriy Potashnik

Program Managers

904-866-2478

dmitriy.potashnik@evanta.com