October 13, 2026
Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) are leading through a period of significant workforce and business change. From evolving employee expectations and shifting skills requirements to the growing impact of technology and AI, CHROs must make decisions that shape both organizational performance and employee experience. Gartner CHRO Communities provide a trusted forum where senior HR executives can exchange perspectives, learn from one another and address the priorities most critical to their organizations.
Executive Summits are a key part of this experience. These full-day, in-person gatherings bring together CHROs for candid conversations, expert insights and peer engagement. Participants hear from Gartner analysts, industry practitioners and thought leaders; take part in interactive discussions; and connect one-on-one with peers who are navigating similar opportunities and challenges.
The CHRO role can sometimes feel quite isolated, so having a trusted group of peers with whom you can share experiences, challenge your thinking, and learn from different perspectives is a real benefit.
- James Furnell, SVP, Global HR
Papa John's, Inc.
Executive Summits are coming to the Chicago, Washington, DC, Southern California, Houston, Toronto and New York communities this fall. Here’s a look at several featured speakers and sessions.
The Currency of Culture at the New York CHRO Community Executive Summit
Culture shapes how organizations make decisions, develop talent and define success. In this fireside chat, Caroline Heller, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of HR at BlackRock; Bei Ling, Head of HR at Wells Fargo; Paige Ross, Global Head of HR at Blackstone Group; and Tchernavia Rocker, Chief People & Communications Officer at Revlon, will discuss how culture influences talent decisions, leadership development and long-term organizational performance.
The Trials of Transformation – Leading with Purpose Through Change at the Washington, DC CHRO Community Executive Summit
Organizational transformation can test leaders, employees and the culture that connects them. In this keynote, Daniel Holden, Chief People Officer at Nestlé USA, will share insights from Nestlé’s recent global restructuring initiative. He will also discuss how to lead through significant change, equip leaders to support their teams during uncertainty and sustain organizational culture throughout the transformation journey.
Future Skills for What? Building Workforce Readiness in an Era of AI and Constant Change at the Toronto CHRO Community Executive Summit
As AI reshapes jobs and accelerates the pace of change, workforce preparation must extend beyond simply identifying the next set of skills employees will need. In this interactive session, James Spearing, Chief Learning Officer at Scotiabank, will lead a boardroom discussion on how CHROs can build organizational readiness by connecting learning, talent mobility and workforce planning to evolving business needs. The conversation will also examine how HR leaders can prepare employees for an uncertain future and properly measure workforce readiness.
Earning Influence — Turning People Strategy into Lasting Business Value at the Southern California CHRO Community Executive Summit
As expectations for CHROs continue to grow, they must demonstrate how people strategy contributes directly to business performance. In this closing keynote, Allison Pinkham, SVP and Chief People Officer at Albertsons Companies, will discuss how CHROs can move beyond activity-based measures to focus on business impact, strengthen manager effectiveness and build trust throughout ongoing change.
Leadership Inflection Point — What’s Next for CHROs? At the Chicago CHRO Community Executive Summit
Continuous disruption is changing what organizations need from their leaders, and CHROs are at the center of this shift. In this keynote, Dr. Lilicia Bailey, SVP and Chief People Officer at CommonSpirit Health, will draw on insights from her doctoral research to explore how CHROs can demonstrate agility, guide organizations through uncertainty and build the capabilities needed for sustained performance.
CHROs Managing Through Global Volatility at the Houston CHRO Community Executive Summit
As geopolitical, economic and organizational uncertainty become the norm, CHROs must help their organizations remain steady while continuing to adapt. In this interactive boardroom discussion, Kristin Ruzicka, SVP, CHRO and Sustainability at Weatherford, will explore how CHROs can strengthen workforce resilience, sustain trust and culture through disruption, and keep employees connected to evolving business priorities.
Executive Summits give CHROs a valuable opportunity to connect with peers who understand the complexities of leading HR today. Participants exchange practical ideas, share lessons from experience and build relationships with fellow executives they can rely on beyond the event. As Monica Anderton, CHRO at DS Smith North America, shared:
The opportunity to interact with such a premier group of HR colleagues, in addition to the program content, is outstanding. This community is made up of supportive peers who actively share best practices, encouragement, and collaboration, and the level of experience and leadership represented is truly incredible.
Are you ready to connect with your CHRO peers? Join your local community to participate in an Executive Summit and gain practical insights through candid conversations and peer-driven learning. If you are already a member, sign in to the app to register today.
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