
Southern California CHRO Community
Executive Summit
December 5, 2024 | Marriott Long Beach Downtown
December 5, 2024
Marriott Long Beach Downtown
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
Agenda
7:45am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Keynote
Point/Counterpoint — HR Debate Showdown
Hosted by Wisq

Dina Barmasse-Gray
Chief People Officer
The Cheesecake Factory

Robert Lowe
Chief People & Culture Officer
Los Angeles World Airports

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
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?
Hosted by Alight

Karen Frost
SVP, Corporate Strategy - Health
Alight

Kendra Angier
CHRO
CoreLogic

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
Market VP of California Human Resources
CommonSpirit Health

Randy Clark
SVP, CHRO
Sempra Infrastructure

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
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

Lisa Garrett
Director of Personnel
Los Angeles County, CA

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
Chief Diversity Officer & SVP, Human Resources
Starz

Tasmin Plater
EVP, People & Culture HR
Fifth Season

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
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Southern California 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
Marriott Long Beach DowntownParking
Self-Park Only
- $25 daily
- $30 overnight
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.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.