Boston CHRO Community
Executive Summit
May 13, 2026 | Renaissance Boston Seaport District
May 13, 2026
Renaissance Boston Seaport District
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:
Empowering Leaders for Tomorrow – Manager Development and the Evolution of Workplace Culture
Workforce Transformation – Harnessing Data and Insights for Smarter Talent Decisions
Leading Through Change – Building Workforce Resilience and Adaptive Organizations
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
Mary Beth DeNooyer
Keurig Dr Pepper
CHRO
Sarah Evans
Ocean Spray
CHRO
Ryan Gilchrist
Wayfair
CPO
Brendan Reidy
Acushnet Company
CPO
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 Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
Agenda
8:00am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Benefits — Where Cost, Culture and Trust Collide
Hosted by Howden
Matthew Legere
Associate Practice Leader
Howden
HR leaders are being asked to do something almost impossible: control costs, improve experience, and reduce risk — in an environment where uncertainty is the norm. Benefits are now leadership and risk discipline, not an annual event. The goal isn’t perfection, its fewer surprises, clearer tradeoffs, and stronger trust.
Join this session to:
- Identify volatility drivers and optimize benefits strategy
- Build governance frameworks for workforce engagement
- Align stakeholders with executive-level benefits decisions
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Elevating CHRO Influence for Boardroom Success
HR leaders face increasing pressure to demonstrate boardroom influence by tying talent strategy and workforce planning directly to business outcomes, while navigating challenges like executive compensation, succession planning, and digital transformation. CHROs can embrace opportunities to provide actionable insights, foster executive partnerships, and deliver measurable value to the board.
Join this boardroom to discuss how to:
- Shape board agendas to prioritize talent
- Gain board confidence through actionable insights
- Integrate culture and strategy into decisions
10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break
10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:10am - 11:55am Breakout Session
From Crisis to Catalyst — Sparking Inspiration in the Workplace
Hosted by O.C. Tanner
Only 16% of employees say they’re thriving in their roles — a staggering number that cannot be ignored. Yet, new insights from O.C. Tanner’s 2026 Global Culture Report reveal how workplaces can become a source of renewal and resilience in uncertain times.
Join this session to discuss:
- Why healthy performance requires both expectations and support
- The 5 behaviors that shape inclusive, high-performing teams
- Why integrated recognition creates a cultural multiplier effect
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Leaders That Deliver — Turning Engagement into Operational Results
Hosted by WorkStep
Managers and supervisors are drivers of culture change, especially on the frontlines. HR leaders must focus on manager and leader development to deepen connections with employees, build trust, and drive engagement.
Join this session to discuss:
- Reducing turnover and driving business performance
- Transforming leadership insights into measurable growth
- Strengthening engagement and cultivating a culture of trust
11:55am - 12:30pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Boston CHRO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Renaissance Boston Seaport DistrictCancellation policy - Must cancel 3 days prior to arrival day. Cancellations made within 72 hours prior to arrival will forfeit 1 night's room and tax.
Parking Information
Valet - Renaissance Boston Seaport Valet Parking 606 Congress St, Boston for $63
Public Parking - 601 Congress St, Boston; Driving Directions: Exit the Renaissance porte- cochère, take the next left onto Northern Ave, left onto D St, then your next right onto Congress St, finally turn right onto Port Ln, then turn right (Clearance: 8’1’’) for $20
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Renaissance Boston Seaport District at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 888-796-4664. Please mention Boston Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $349 USD (plus tax) is April 20, 2026.
Your Community Sponsors
CHRO Thought Leader
Program Sponsors
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
