IN-PERSON

Boston CHRO Executive Summit

April 30, 2024 | Westin Copley Place

April 30, 2024
Westin Copley Place

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:

Transforming Workforce Planning From Tactical to Strategic

Reshaping a Corporate Culture that Exemplifies Efficiency and Resiliency

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

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

Lisa Britt

Thermo Fisher Scientific
SVP, CHRO

Mary Beth DeNooyer

Keurig Dr Pepper
CHRO

Janice Deskus

Staples
CHRO

Brendan Reidy

Acushnet Company
Chief People Officer

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


April 29, 2024

April 30, 2024

6:00pm - 8:30pm  Networking

Governing Body Welcome Reception

Join for a special evening of refreshments and networking hosted by the Boston CHRO Governing Body. In partnership with the nonprofit Foster Love, guests will have the opportunity to assemble Sweet Cases. These custom duffle bags bring joy and dignity to foster children, replacing the stark reality of trash bags they often use while transitioning between homes. 

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

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

The Performance Paradox — Mental Health and High Productivity

Kara Hardin headshot

Kara Hardin

Registered Psychotherapist & LEO of The Practice Lab

Guest Speaker

Today's relentless pursuit of success can lead to profound dissatisfaction and dramatically affect mental health. Accomplishments lack satisfaction, work is ceaseless, sleep and self-care are sacrificed. Recognizing this, HR can play a pivotal role in breaking this cycle and nurturing a healthier and more fulfilled workforce.

Join this keynote from a mental health educator and former lawyer to learn:

  • How time, efficiency and productivity challenges individual and community health
  • Why mental health of individuals and teams drives performance (and not vice versa)
  • What steps HR-leaders can take, for themselves and others, to shift away from the paradox and towards a more healthy relationship with work


9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Once Upon an Employee Value Proposition...

Mary Beth DeNooyer headshot

Mary Beth DeNooyer

CHRO

Keurig Dr Pepper

Jason Vlaun headshot

Jason Vlaun

Chief Human Resource Officer

NHP Rhode Island

As organizations navigate complex mergers and define cultural identities, creating a compelling narrative to align EVP with company values is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. By prioritizing authenticity, communication, and continuous improvement, CHROs ensure their organizations remain competitive in a dynamic landscape.

Join this session for case studies and a workshop on:

  • Attracting and retaining employees by examining all elements of the employee lifecycle
  • Crafting narratives that authentically reflect the organization's values and aspirations
  • Fostering transparent communication with leadership while embracing employee feedback


9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Leading in the New World of Work

Nick Goldberg headshot

Nick Goldberg

Founder and CEO

Ezra Coaching

Navigating economic uncertainty requires companies to maintain performance while prioritizing employee well-being. Instead of allowing disruption to derail progress, leaders must harness it as an opportunity for growth.

Join this session to:

  • Understand the behavioral science behind growing through disruption
  • Leverage psychological capital to cultivate efficacy, resilience and hope
  • Learn how to harness the power of disruption and avoid distraction

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Maximizing Boardroom Impact — Practical Guide for HR Executives

Evan Pierce headshot

Evan Pierce

VP, People & Culture

Boston Celtics

Lara Martinez Gonzalez headshot

Lara Martinez Gonzalez

Global Head of Talent Strategy

AstraZeneca

In the fast-changing corporate governance scene, there is a growing expectation for the board to dive deep into HR matters. As your organization's people leader, your ability to educate the board directly affects your influence and decisions made at that level.
 
Join this session to discuss:

  • Unpacking what boards really want in terms of human capital
  • Tying your people priorities directly to business outcomes
  • Strengthening your presence and trust in the boardroom

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CHROs).


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

Crowdsourcing Your Talent and Skills Development

Sara Dionne headshot

Sara Dionne

Vice President, Learning & Development

Comcast

In an ever-evolving work landscape, leading organizations collaborate cross-functionally to deliver skills-based talent development. While offering essential flexibility, migrating to this model presents a unique challenge for organizations with traditional learning and development methods. Comcast's data-driven approach answers the question, "what skills do you need to deliver within your business?"

Join this session to:

  • Explore the dynamic landscape of skills-based development
  • Leverage data to inform learning strategies and build engaging experiences
  • Cultivate a culture of ongoing learning

11:05am - 11:50am  Breakout Session

Reimagining a New People-Centric Future

Ryan Jensen headshot

Ryan Jensen

Workplace Culture Strategist

O.C. Tanner

Organizations face increased expectations to place their people at the center of business—and the next step is making that practical for all involved. Hear the latest research on how organizations everywhere can cultivate nimble resiliency amid change and enhance their people experience to create a future that allows employees to stay, feel fulfilled, and do their best work.

Join this session to learn:

  • Leading with practical empathy
  • Supporting the critical 80%
  • Achieving equitable flexibility

11:05am - 11:50am  Executive Boardroom

Finding Focus — Strategic Prioritization For CHROs

Gregory Pardo headshot

Gregory Pardo

Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, Care Delivery

Fresenius Medical Care

Debra Vasques Bruneau headshot

Debra Vasques Bruneau

Executive Vice President, Human Resources

JSR Life Sciences

Ellen Wallace headshot

Ellen Wallace

Vice President of Human Resources

Berkley One

Prioritization has always been a difficult task for HR leaders, and this challenge is further compounded by the near-constant external and internal disruptions of recent years. How can CHROs determine where they can add the most value while juggling routine tasks and unexpected change?

Join this session to discuss how to:

  • Evaluate urgency and impact of the most critical enterprise objectives
  • Enable teams to better handle competing priorities
  • Effectively communicate the expectations with key stakeholders

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CHROs).

11:50am - 12:35pm  Lunch Service

12:35pm - 1:10pm  Keynote

Lunch and Learn — The CFO and CHRO Partnership

Mark Griffin headshot

Mark Griffin

CHRO

BJ's Wholesale Club

Laura Felice headshot

Laura Felice

CFO

BJ's Wholesale Club

Ongoing economic, technological, regulatory, social, and cultural challenges are increasing the demands placed on top executives, particularly CFOs and CHROs. Today, finance and HR leaders must synergize efforts in their strategic decision-making. This partnership ensures efficient alignment between human capital and financial objectives, maximizing sustainable organizational performance.

Join this lunch and learn session to discover how to:

  • Strengthen the CHRO-CFO partnership for mutual success
  • Understand what CFOs need from their HR partners
  • Optimize effectiveness and efficiency in decision-making to drive agility


1:10pm - 1:35pm  Break

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Breakout Session

Enhancing Change Management Resiliency and Effectiveness

Victoria Creamer headshot

Victoria Creamer

Chief People Officer

Charles River Laboratories

Magali Four headshot

Magali Four

SVP, Chief People & Culture Officer

Revvity

Alexandre-Pierre Mery headshot

Alexandre-Pierre Mery

Sr. HR Leader Corporate Office

General Electric

From transitioning hard processes to fostering cultural evolution, change management requires continuous and recurrent efforts. Yet only 39% of HR leaders agree their most recent change initiative achieved shared goals, according to Gartner research.

Join this panel discussion to learn how to:

  • Nurture the alignment between business objectives, strategy and organizational culture
  • Build meaningful, cross-functional collaboration among stakeholders
  • Sustain efforts across the HR function and greater organization

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Breakout Session

Why Caregiver Supports Are Key to Business Growth

Nigel Birtwistle headshot

Nigel Birtwistle

Senior Vice President, Client Services

Bright Horizons

Nathalie Grenache headshot

Nathalie Grenache

Head of People, Global Specialty Care and North America

Sanofi North America

Cindy Silva headshot

Cindy Silva

Global Head of Benefits

State Street

 Curating a high-performing workforce in 2025 and beyond is contingent on the ability to support the unique needs of the fastest growing workplace demographic: caregivers. Benefits and strategies CHROs put in place today will shape the future of the workforce and business for a decade to come.

Join this session for actionable data on:

  • Emerging trends in workforce sustainability to boost business and employee outcomes
  • Meeting the unique needs of workers in the “hidden middle” and “sandwich generation” 
  •  Improving job satisfaction while supporting the demands of modern employee wellbeing


1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

The Legal And Technical Dimensions Of DEI Today

Anastasia Bergmann headshot

Anastasia Bergmann

Chief People Officer

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Sam Palmisano headshot

Sam Palmisano

SVP & CHRO

Amica

Active legal proceedings could reshape employment discrimination cases and impact employer diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. How can modern CHROs face the challenge of maintaining a strong emphasis on DEI while navigating the legal implications of data collection and establishing measurable goals.
 
Join this boardroom to discuss:

  • Understanding implications of national legal proceedings on discrimination
  • Optimizing resource allocation while maintaining focus on DEI efforts
  • Tracking success and mitigating risks associated with establishing certain DEI goals

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CHROs).

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 - 3:45pm  Breakout Session

Removing Barriers to Enable High Performing People and Teams

Amanda Bailey headshot

Amanda Bailey

Vice President for Human Resources

Boston University

 As HR leaders work to improve organizational culture, listening to employee feedback, collaborating with various stakeholders and gaining support from other c-suite leaders are critical to drive meaningful change.

Join this session to learn how to:

  • Segment pain points with culture and employee satisfaction
  • Build trust, shared responsibility and clear expectations among leaders
  • Listen to and act on employee feedback


3:00pm - 3:45pm  Breakout Session

Before You Blow Up Your Org Chart

Jérôme Mackowiak headshot

Jérôme Mackowiak

Director, Gartner HR Practice

Gartner

Fifty-seven percent of organization redesigns fail, according to Gartner research. Before jumping to one type of solution for a redesign, CHROs must consider the full suite of levers that can be pulled in the operating model to achieve specific goals.

Join this session to learn how to:

  • Diagnose problems with organizational efficiency
  • Choose the appropriate solution to meet org-specific needs
  • Align the necessary stakeholders to enable action

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

Beyond the Trend — Real AI Implementation

Carlos Echalar headshot

Carlos Echalar

SVP, CHRO

CDM Smith

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:

  • Understanding AI’s capabilities and planning accordingly
  • Preparing functionally and culturally for adoption
  • Understanding how AI affects workforce skills and employee experience

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CHROs).

3:45pm - 4:10pm  Break

4:10pm - 4:45pm  Keynote

To Be Continued… HR’s Transformative Future

Mai-Lan Nguyen headshot

Mai-Lan Nguyen

SVP HR North America Operations

Schneider Electric North America

Danielle Benedict headshot

Danielle Benedict

CHRO

UNFI

Lauren Duprey headshot

Lauren Duprey

CHRO

Takeda


Increasingly frequent and severe disruptions are driving swift changes in talent market expectations and the adoption of innovative new technologies. Noticeable gaps are now surfacing between organizations that actively evolve for the future of work and those that do not. With a focus on agility and continuous transformation, modern CHROs must navigate the changing landscape effectively.

Join this keynote panel for case studies on:

  • Identifying the most disruptive, industry-specific workforce trends
  • Planning for workforce shifts while enhancing organizational efficiency
  • Equipping employees and the business with the skills they need


4:45pm - 5:00pm  Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

April 29, 2024

April 30, 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

Westin Copley Place
MORE INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westin Copley Place at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 617-262-9600. Please mention Boston CHRO Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $339 USD (plus tax) is April 8, 2024.

Your Community Partners


CHRO Thought Leader
Program Partners

Community Program Manager


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

Jamie Turner

Community Program Manager

jamie.turner@evanta.com