IN-PERSON

Boston CHRO Executive Summit

May 25, 2023 | Westin Boston Seaport District

May 25, 2023
Westin 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:

Redefining culture and design strategies in the new world of work

Building organizational resilience to create and sustain a culture of inclusion

Aligning leadership development to for current and future organization needs

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, CHRO

Lisa Britt

Thermo Fisher Scientific
SVP, CHRO

Mary Beth DeNooyer

Keurig Dr Pepper
CHRO

Janice Deskus

Staples
CHRO

Joe Sangregorio

Curia
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


May 24, 2023

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

Governing Body Welcome Reception

Michelle Saunders headshot

Michelle Saunders

Head of Talent & Culture

Brooks Automation

This year's reception will feature students from the Boston chapter of Year Up. The nonprofit's mission is to close the opportunity divide by ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education. Governing Body members and speakers are invited to this gathering to network and provide their expertise and insights to the next generation of talent. 

11:00am - 11:45am  Breakout Session

Why Your Talent Needs Community and Recognition Now

Gary Beckstrand headshot

Gary Beckstrand

VP, O.C. Tanner Institute

O.C. Tanner

Creating a strong workplace community is essential to meet the evolving challenges of 2023. Yet, new research from the O.C. Tanner Institute reveals how burnout and isolation among leaders and employees are threatening culture and organizational success. These challenges need fresh strategies to create a thriving workplace community.

Join this session to learn: 

  • Insights from the perspectives of 38,000 leaders and employees worldwide
  • Best practices for fortifying leaders and growing generalists in an era of change
  • Ways symbolic, integrated recognition create a strong sense of community for all

11:00am - 11:45am  Executive Boardroom

Leading in a Paradoxical World — Re-Inventing Our Relationship with Change

Jan Bruce headshot

Jan Bruce

CEO

meQuilibrium

Antonella De Luca headshot

Antonella De Luca

People VP

The Orbia companies

Arthur Wood headshot

Arthur Wood

Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Cabot

CHROs are constantly tackling competing priorities in an ever-changing landscape. The dust will never settle: volatility and uncertainty define the operating environment. How do we support our people to stay resilient in the face of change?

Come together with your peers to tackle approaches to:

  • Balance employee productivity with flexibility
  • Upskill burdened managers to support their teams’ wellbeing
  • How to play offense and defense at the same time and plan for the future with optimism while remaining realistic about challenges

11:00am - 11:45am  Executive Boardroom

Recruiting to Build a Better Business

Alexandre-Pierre Mery headshot

Alexandre-Pierre Mery

Sr HR Leader- Corp Finance and Digital Technology

General Electric

Ann Moore headshot

Ann Moore

VP, Employee Engagement

USI

CHROs are continuously looking to revamp the way they recruit and sourcing talent where competitors are not. When developing a strategic recruiting function, what are the untapped ways to find the best talent and improve business from the ground up?

In this session CHROs will address:

  • Finding nontraditional candidate sources
  • Diversifying your talent pool
  • Hiring to meet short and long-term needs


11:45am - 12:30pm  Lunch Service

12:30pm - 1:05pm  Keynote

Back to Basics — Resetting HR Priorities

Mary Beth DeNooyer headshot

Mary Beth DeNooyer

CHRO

Keurig Dr Pepper

Alicia Austin headshot

Alicia Austin

SVP NA People & Organization

Puma North America, Inc.

Belinda Hyde headshot

Belinda Hyde

SVP & CHRO

Waters Corp

The events of the past three years shifted CHROs to a reactive response to enterprise, employee and social demands, pushing some essential functions further down the priority list. The bill has now come due for those vital priorities as HR leaders work to get back on track and make positive impacts on the organization.

  •  Rebuilding leadership pipelines 
  •  Maintaining HR as a key enterprise function
  •  Redesigning operating models for modern org structure

1:05pm - 1:30pm  Break

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

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

Creating and Jumpstarting an Inclusive Culture

Keith Wyche headshot

Keith Wyche

Vice President, Community Engagement and Support

Walmart

In the wake of major social and political change over the past decade, employers large and small alike have taken steps to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. Yet despite growing pressure and awareness, progress is slow and most corporate DE&I initiatives are not yet achieving the desired results. With so many steps forward, how come representation still is not where it needs to be at senior levels for almost every diverse group?
Join this session to learn more as Keith Wyche:

  • Provides real, actionable steps for those who are serious about DE&I, and looking for solutions to improve the experience of Black and other underrepresented groups, colleagues and leaders within the organization
  • Shares a collection of best practices backed by research and strategies
  • Provides a roadmap for leaders to create breakthrough change that explores meaningful topics

9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Leveraging Talent Intelligence in a Competitive Landscape

Stephen Dwight headshot

Stephen Dwight

Chief Talent Officer

Takeda

Acquiring and retaining talent to drive innovation is critical for current and future success of companies. A powerful but often underutilized capability is utilizing talent intelligence. 
In this workshop, the Chief Talent Officer of Takeda will discuss:

  • Building talent intelligence capabilities
  • How insights have led to higher quality talent actions and outcomes
  • Lessons learned and work yet to be done

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Balancing Employee Needs and Business Objectives

Dr. Elizabeth Myers headshot

Dr. Elizabeth Myers

Senior Director, Thought Leadership

Bright Horizons

Ayelet Mosaffi headshot

Ayelet Mosaffi

NA Total Well-Being Director & Global Projects

Sanofi

Employees are demanding a better work-life balance to reduce stress and prevent burnout. At the same time, CHROs are tasked with building a productive team that can meet business goals for the present and future.
In this session, CHROs will learn how to:

  • Build an employee experience that decreases stress while boosting productivity
  • Implement holistic wellness support systems
  • Meet the modern needs of employees through benefit offerings

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Developing Leaders to be Levers of Change

Jonathan Kirschner headshot

Jonathan Kirschner

Co-Founder, CEO

AIIR Consulting

Carolyn Wiesenhahn headshot

Carolyn Wiesenhahn

Chief People Officer

CDW

Debra Vasques Bruneau headshot

Debra Vasques Bruneau

Vice President of Human Resources

Nitto Denko Corporation

The unexpected is now the norm for CHROs. Amid the turmoil, organizations that identify and develop their leaders will be at a competitive advantage. The onus of preparing leaders to succeed in this new and challenging context falls squarely with HR.

This session will explore:

  • Assessing team effectiveness and leadership intelligence
  • Equipping leaders with the mindset and skills needed to succeed in a down economy
  • Scaling leadership impact through cascading strategies

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Solutions for Employee-Centric Well-Being

Victoria Creamer headshot

Victoria Creamer

Chief People Officer

Charles River Laboratories

Ronald Arigo headshot

Ronald Arigo

Senior Vice President, CHRO

AAA Northeast

Joan McGrail headshot

Joan McGrail

CHRO

New Balance

The place where work is conducted, level of work activity and the way work is completed have changed for many employees. While some employees thrive in a modern environment, it can also elevate stress and anxiety, which increases the risk of burnout.
In this boardroom, CHROs will discuss:

  • Holistic wellness opportunities to increase work experience and participation
  • Methods to tie belonging into emotional support
  • Preventative approaches for long-term employee wellness

10:25am - 11:00am  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.

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Breakout Session

Where Purpose Meets Promise: Developing an Effective EVP

Sarah Evans headshot

Sarah Evans

CHRO

Ocean Spray

Kate Leonard headshot

Kate Leonard

Director, Global Corporate Communications and Culture

Ocean Spray

Organizations must adapt to remain competitive amidst rapid change, and those that align their purpose and values with their employee experience will be best positioned to retain top talent. How can HR leaders develop a strong EVP that attracts talent, connects employees to purpose, and amplifies a strong employer and internal brand?
Join this session to discuss:

  • Evolving HR strategy around authenticity and purpose
  • Supporting employees so they aspire to grow within the organization
  • Activating an EVP through brand communications that resonate with current employees and future candidates

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Executive Boardroom

Moving DEI From Buzzwords to Action

Matthew Legere headshot

Matthew Legere

Senior Vice President

Brown & Brown Insurance

Evan Pierce headshot

Evan Pierce

VP, Head of People

Boston Celtics

John Weaver headshot

John Weaver

Vice President of Human Resources - Worldwide

IPG Photonics

DEI strategies often struggle to balance complicated needs that deliver lasting impact. In fact, Gartner research shows 42% of employees resent their organizations’ DEI efforts. Execution will continue to fall on HR to make groups feel like they belong in the workplace.
In this boardroom, HR leaders will discuss:

  • Unraveling unconscious bias 
  • New approaches to the demands of the modern workforce
  • How benefits can make marginalized groups feel seen

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Executive Boardroom

Talent Retention Strategies for 2023 and Beyond

Lenka Patten headshot

Lenka Patten

CHRO

Ameresco

Ellen Wallace headshot

Ellen Wallace

Vice President of Human Resources

Berkley One

Sam Palmisano headshot

Sam Palmisano

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Amica

Even with a less-competitive labor market, CHROs are still focused on retaining their talent. Many companies can’t afford to address retention with compensation increases alone, so what can be done?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Identifying and combating drivers of attrition
  • Boosting retention through professional development and career path opportunities
  • Developing long-term strategies to improve employee experience and EVP

2:15pm - 2:50pm  Networking Break

2:20pm - 2:45pm  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.

2:50pm - 3:35pm  Breakout Session

The Impact of Pay Transparency

Angela Cheng-Cimini headshot

Angela Cheng-Cimini

SVP, Talent & CHRO

Harvard Business School - Harvard Business Publishing

As states across the country are implementing pay transparency requirements, new state bills could obligate Massachusetts organizations to soon do the same. In addition to avoiding potential litigation, forward-thinking employers who implement fair pay policies may be able to improve their organization’s reputation, keep employees engaged and attract new talent.

In this session, CHROs will discuss:

  • The current local status and legal ramifications of pay transparency
  • Best practices in change management to prepare executives and hiring managers
  • How to tactically implement pay practices for recruiting and retention

2:50pm - 3:35pm  Executive Boardroom

Are Your Managers Driving Talent Disengagement?

Chad Cathers headshot

Chad Cathers

CEO

StarMeUp powered by Globant

Carolyn O'Boyle headshot

Carolyn O'Boyle

Chief People Officer

The Boston Beer Company

Anastasia Bergmann headshot

Anastasia Bergmann

Chief People Officer

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Studies show that 70% of team engagement is determined solely by a manager. To gain a competitive edge, HR leaders must focus on giving managers the tools they need to create a working environment that motivates, connects and inspires.
Join this boardroom to discuss:

  • Shifting from good intentions to intentional inclusion
  • Listening as a fundamental driver of engagement
  • Leveraging technology to empower managers

2:50pm - 3:35pm  Executive Boardroom

Empowering Employees Through Learning & Development

Stephanie Franklin headshot

Stephanie Franklin

Chief Human Resource Officer

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Adam Robitaille headshot

Adam Robitaille

Head of HR Market NA& Global HRBP Plant Operations

Millipore Sigma

Less than half of employees agree the learning their employer provides is relevant to them, according to Gartner research. CHROs must hone their approach, putting employee needs at the center of their learning and development efforts to cultivate essential skills and a motivated workforce.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Assessing your organization’s current learning and development ecosystem
  • Designing human-centric skill development programs
  • Supporting employees’ whole-career growth to promote retention while filling urgent skill gaps


3:35pm - 4:00pm  Break

4:00pm - 4:35pm  Keynote

When Leadership Matters Most

Mark Griffin headshot

Mark Griffin

Chief Human Resources Officer

BJ's Wholesale Club

Successful organizations have strong succession plans in place to handle changes in the business and unexpected challenges. But when it comes time to activate, transformative leadership from a collective and collaborative c-suite will be needed to steady the ship while maximining current talent to weather the storm.

In this keynote session, Mark Griffin, CHRO of BJ's Wholesale Club will discuss:

  • Expediting and upgrading talent readiness through succession planning
  • Collaborating on organizational transformation
  • Identifying critical roles for long-term success

4:35pm - 5:00pm  Closing Reception & Prize Drawing

May 24, 2023

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

Westin Boston Seaport District
MORE INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westin Boston Seaport District at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1-888-236-2427. Please mention Boston Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $399 USD (plus tax) is April 24, 2023.

Your Community Partners


CHRO Thought Leader
Key Partner
Program Partners

Community Program Manager


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

Dmitriy Potashnik

Program Manager

904-866-2478

dmitriy.potashnik@evanta.com