IN-PERSON

Southern California CHRO Executive Summit

December 5, 2024 | Marriott Long Beach Downtown

December 5, 2024
Marriott Long Beach Downtown

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Southern California'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:

Reducing Organization Design Friction to Improve Organizational Effectiveness

Identifying, Growing and Retaining Employees with the Skills Your Business Requires

Reshaping a Corporate Culture that Exemplifies Efficiency and Resiliency

Southern California 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

Dina Barmasse-Gray

The Cheesecake Factory
Chief People Officer

Kari Durham

Skyworks
SVP, Human Resources

Samantha Khoury

Los Angeles Lakers
VP, Human Resources

Grace Lee

Lumentum
EVP Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer

Tracy Ting

Encore Capital Group
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 Southern California 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


December 5, 2024

7:45am - 8:30am  Registration & Breakfast

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

Point/Counterpoint — HR Debate Showdown

Dina Barmasse-Gray headshot

Dina Barmasse-Gray

Chief People Officer

The Cheesecake Factory

Robert Lowe headshot

Robert Lowe

Chief People & Culture Officer

Los Angeles World Airports

Ross Pollack headshot

Ross Pollack

EVP & CHRO

LionsGate Entertainment

This is a can't miss morning keynote, a C-level debate showdown! Two experienced leaders take sides on some of the topical issues facing the HR world right now. Gain new insights into mission critical priorities for CHROs and find out if you can be swayed to the other side.

During this interactive debate-style keynote you will:

  • Debate the highest-ranking community priorities
  • Expand your thinking on polarizing topics
  • Join in through audience participation

9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Building a Stronger and More Dynamic Workforce

Heather Laychak headshot

Heather Laychak

Chief People Officer

Aerospace Corporation

CEOs tell Gartner that workforce is once again one of their top priorities for 2025 and the space industry is searching for solutions. Space Workforce for Tomorrow is a cross-organizational call to action to inspire, prepare and employ the next generation. The Chief People Officer of Aerospace Corporation shares how it is just part of their journey on a complete workforce-centric, organizational redesign.

Join this session to hear how they are:

  • Achieving DEI outcomes internally and externally
  • Driving culture change to create resiliency
  • Making leaders’ non-technical skills a priority

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Why Don’t Employees Feel Supported?

Karen Frost headshot

Karen Frost

SVP, Corporate Strategy - Health

Alight

Kendra Angier headshot

Kendra Angier

CHRO

CoreLogic

Ellen Goldsmith headshot

Ellen Goldsmith

Chief People Officer

Deluxe Media

Most organizations have expanded benefits in both volume and scope, but many employees are frustrated with information overload and overall employee experience. How can CHROs build meaningful connections between the workforce and their benefits while navigating an ever-expanding technology ecosystem?

Attend this session to learn:

  • Strategies for connecting employee insights to actions to power stronger engagement
  • Ways to integrate employee experiences to increase adoption
  • How organizations can leverage personalization and AI to help people feel seen and cared for

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Unlocking Talent and Empowering Managers

Michael Sloan headshot

Michael Sloan

Market VP of California Human Resources

CommonSpirit Health

Randy Clark headshot

Randy Clark

SVP, CHRO

Sempra Infrastructure

Kari Durham headshot

Kari Durham

SVP, Human Resources

Skyworks

57% of CEOs tell Gartner they plan to increase their investments in people and culture development. Talent is one of the biggest factors organizations use to measure success, but many are not effectively identifying and developing their own rising stars. You need the right game plan, but also the right managers leading the charge. 

Join this boardroom to dive into: 

  • Identifying often overlooked skillsets and intangibles of talent
  • Providing the right environment to get the most out of your rising stars
  • Empowering and preparing managers to effectively guide the workforce

10:25am - 11:05am  Networking Break

10:30am - 10:55am  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.

11:05am - 11:50am  Breakout Session

Driving Transformation During Times of Change

Ekta Vyas, PhD headshot

Ekta Vyas, PhD

CHRO

Keck Medicine of USC

A recent Gartner survey finds 95% of CHROs are currently restructuring their function, or plan to start soon. As broader enterprise change continues without pause, how can HR leaders maximize resources and embark on a transformation journey that evolves with their organization?

Join this case study for insights on why now is the perfect time to:

  • Streamline workforce processes and a strong HR infrastructure 
  • Utilize inside-out and outside-in cultural transformation 
  • Incorporate proven programs for developing diverse leadership skillset

11:05am - 11:50am  Executive Boardroom

Plan in Place — Avoiding Succession Gaps at Every Level

Rita Essaian headshot

Rita Essaian

Chief People Officer

Sharp HealthCare

Lisa Garrett headshot

Lisa Garrett

Director of Personnel

Los Angeles County, CA

Peter Vitarisi headshot

Peter Vitarisi

Chief People Officer

Grimmway Farms

A Gartner study found most of the time when organizations fill leadership positions, they aren't hiring preidentified successors. The biggest succession plan gaps were actually found at positions with higher turnover. How do you make sure your organization is prepared to backfill its most critical roles.

 Join this boardroom to discuss:

  • Identifying crucible roles and stretch assignments
  • Building systems to match competencies with skills gaps
  • Making the workforce part of the process

11:05am - 11:50am  Executive Boardroom

Building a DEI Business Case and Scaling Belonging

Jamila Daniel headshot

Jamila Daniel

Chief Diversity Officer & SVP, Human Resources

Starz

Tasmin Plater headshot

Tasmin Plater

EVP, People & Culture HR

Fifth Season

Karen Robinson headshot

Karen Robinson

CHRO

Nissin Foods USA

Many businesses still view DEI as an additional initiative rather than an essential component, making it difficult to achieve full organizational commitment to initiatives. How can HR leaders create growth opportunities and improve the employee experience, while dealing with budget and company culture challenges?

Join this session as your peers discuss ways to:

  • Creating belonging at scale
  • Embedding DEI in talent philosophies
  • Building a business case for DEI

11:50am - 12:35pm  Lunch Service

12:35pm - 1:10pm  Keynote

You Speak, They Swarm — The Power of Story in Reaching Your Audience

Arthur Zards headshot

Arthur Zards

Thought Leader, TED/TEDx Speaker, Coach & Producer

Guest Speaker

 "Those who tell the stories rule society." (Plato) Busy executives don’t have time to learn complex communication models or esoteric storytelling processes — you need a simple, effective framework that can help you not only connect with any audience, but also elicit real change. Enter the SWARM Effect.

Join this session with Arthur Zards — an expert on storytelling, TEDster and provocateur — to:

  • Hone your skills in executive influence
  • Adopt a more authentic and engaging approach to speaking
  • Take your next presentation from “understandable” to “compelling”

1:10pm - 1:35pm  Break

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Breakout Session

Rebuilding Culture and Developing Leaders

Deborah Cegielski headshot

Deborah Cegielski

CHRO

Cubic Corporation

Neela Rajendra headshot

Neela Rajendra

Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

CHROs have led their organizations through significant transformations and evolutions in the last few years. Join to hear real stories on two of the highest ranked priorities for this community. Get an inside view on how HR is driving a multifaceted renovation of company culture. Also, turning a succession planning logjam into a leadership development opportunity.

Two HR leaders share their journeys around:

  • Developing managers to build organizational culture and trust
  • Creating robust succession plans that set the organization up for success
  • Revamping organizational design and HR tech to optimize leadership development

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Beyond The Trend — Let's Get AI Answers

Alexandra Levin headshot

Alexandra Levin

Chief People Officer

The Car Group

More than 75% of top HR leaders worry that failing to adopt and implement artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in the next two years will jeopardize organizational success. CHROs must anticipate AI's effects by evaluating the strategic placement of AI within the organization.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Practical HR-specific usage of generative AI
  • Preparing functionally and culturally for adoption
  • Best practices on working with IT peers

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Next Level Leadership Development

Ingrid Laman headshot

Ingrid Laman

Vice President, Research & Advisory, Human Resources Practice

Gartner

Jeff Fraley headshot

Jeff Fraley

SVP, Human Resources

Big 5 Sporting Goods

Tracy Ting headshot

Tracy Ting

CHRO

Encore Capital Group

Only 34% of HR executives are satisfied with the quality of senior leaders within their organization according to Gartner research. Even fewer are confident they have emerging leaders to meet future needs.

Join this boardroom moderated by a Gartner analyst to discuss:

  • Developing leaders and holding them accountable
  • Emerging practices on rethinking the design of leader roles
  • Using technology to develop critical leadership capabilities

2:20pm - 3:00pm  Networking Break

2:25pm - 2:50pm  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.

3:00pm - 3:35pm  Keynote

Aligning HR and IT for Strategic Impact

George Brady headshot

George Brady

EVP, Chief Information Officer

loanDepot

Carol Fawcett headshot

Carol Fawcett

Corporate Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Golden State Foods

Melanie Graper headshot

Melanie Graper

CHRO

loanDepot

A recent Gartner survey found that by next year, 60% of organizations will integrate AI frameworks into their HR technology systems. This strategic move aims to enhance the employee experience and foster organizational trust.

Join this CHRO and CIO led closing keynote to explore:

  • The transformative role of AI in optimizing current and future HR functions
  • Strategies for leveraging organizational partnerships to advance HR technology
  • The critical role of HR representation on AI governance councils

3:35pm - 3:45pm  Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

3:45pm - 5:00pm  Governing Body Reception

Governing Body Reception

Governing Body members host this reception for executives to close out the event with an evening of peer networking, food and drinks.

December 5, 2024

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


Evanta cares about the health and safety of our community. Please review the following recommendations prior to attending the gathering.

Location


Venue & Accommodation

Marriott Long Beach Downtown
MORE INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1 888 236 2427.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $249 USD (plus tax) is November 11, 2024.

Your Community Partners


Key Partner
Program Partner

Community Program Manager


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

Alisa Hauser

Community Program Manager

773-960-3997

alisa.hauser@evanta.com