Southern California CHRO Community
Executive Summit
November 19, 2026 | The Waterfront Beach Resort
November 19, 2026
The Waterfront Beach Resort
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:
Shaping the Human Impact of AI and Creating New Ways of Work
Developing Agile Leaders in a Dynamic Landscape
Reinvigorating Culture While Driving Innovation
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, HR

Jeff Fraley
Big 5 Sporting Goods
SVP, Human Resources

Samantha Khoury
Los Angeles Lakers
Chief Administrative Officer

Michelle Kwait
Herbalife
CHRO

Tracy Ting
Encore Capital Group
CHRO
What to Expect
Agenda
Coming Soon
The CHRO Executive Summit agendas are driven by the mission-critical priorities identified among the community. Each agenda is uniquely crafted By CHROs, For CHROs®, and will be available closer to the gathering. All topics and sessions will be inspired by the following themes.
Shaping the Human Impact of AI and Creating New Ways of Work
By 2026, half of HR activities are expected to be automated or managed by AI, prompting HR leaders to reinvent practices and prioritize strategic integration of AI technologies, upskilling and effective data governance to remain relevant. As generative AI transforms HR roles from transactional to strategic, organizations must align AI investments with business goals and adapt their operating models to foster sustainable growth and enhanced workforce capabilities.
Developing Agile Leaders in a Dynamic Landscape
In today’s volatile environment, CHROs must address significant capability gaps in coaching, change agility and trust-building among senior and rising people leaders. By prioritizing targeted, high-impact leadership development interventions—leveraging technology, continuous learning and improved coaching practices—organizations can build resilient leaders equipped for any challenge.
Reinvigorating Culture While Driving Innovation
To foster a culture of innovation, HR leaders are aligning HR practices with organizational goals by leveraging technology, adopting agile methodologies and promoting skill-based rewards, continuous learning and psychological safety. These strategies empower employees to experiment and adapt, enabling organizations to remain competitive and achieve long-term success in rapidly changing environments.
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
The Waterfront Beach ResortCommunity Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
