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ATTENDING FOR THE FIRST TIME - Targeted Event Agenda Built Just For You

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Sessions

Leading Change with Agility, Adaptability and Accountability - 1749

Even with the best intentions, 70 percent of organizational change initiatives fail. Worse yet, the need to pivot swiftly and evolve quickly when leading change is growing, but the ability to do it is shrinking. Instead of your next change effort exerting a heavy toll—both human and economic—discover actionable strategies for how to be a catalyst and lead the charge toward a positive and successful future. Apply an intentional approach to avoid derailing mistakes, and instead, foster enhanced communication, accountability and productivity. Manage the predictable dynamics that negatively impact change by better controlling emotional reactions and avoiding resistance. Model the right behaviors to preserve trust, cultivate commitment, and enhance morale. Inspire teams to achieve success by fostering an agile mindset and empowering them to thrive in a fast-paced, unstable environment.

The Call to Climb: Find Your Path, Conquer Your Fears and Fulfill Your Destiny - 2344

Based on the upcoming book, The Call to Climb (Wiley 2025) The Call to Climb is an adventure in personal excellence. It's based on the premise that all of us are living in large sweeping loops and repetitive patterns driven by subconscious programming. If you want to live more fully and authentically, you must first recover your autonomy. This involves identifying fears and patterns and them making better choices. Only then can you live a life more aligned with your heart. This session will give you the blueprint to do just that.

As Employee Engagement Decreases Nationwide, Here’s A New Way to Fix It - 1471

Two decades of Gallup data tell us that employee engagement has hardly ever improved and is now getting worse. Gallup also tells us that first-line managers impact 70% of their team’s employee engagement scores, yet companies continue to instinctively look to HR to implement one-size-fits-all programs for recognition, communications, and career development. The missing piece is clear, that managers are not held accountable for improving their team’s employee engagement score. This session will provide a clear path to convince your executive team to hold managers accountable for engagement scores, how to administer surveys better, the plusses and minuses of external benchmark data, and ways to coach those managers to succeed.

Leading with Care: How to Build a Workplace That Supports Employee Caregivers - 1714

Did you know that 1 in 6 employees in the U.S. is balancing their professional responsibilities while also providing care for a loved one? With caregiving demands set to skyrocket over the next decade—due to longer lifespans and the rising costs of childcare (up 26%) and long-term care (up 40% in the last decade)—employers are at a pivotal moment. In this session, caregiver advocate Lisa combines compelling data from AARP and Caregiving.org with her personal journey to illustrate how businesses can build a supportive culture. Explore practical strategies to improve employee engagement, boost productivity, and enhance retention and loyalty by supporting caregiving employees. You’ll leave with a toolkit to create awareness campaigns, secure executive buy-in, and design innovative caregiving benefits that meet today’s evolving needs. Together, we can empower your workforce, foster inclusivity, and achieve sustainable success.

A Conversation That Matters: Civility, Positivity, and Leadership - 2654

Join Emmy-winning actor, comedian, writer, and producer Jason Sudeikis for an inspiring fireside chat that explores the power of civility, positivity, and authentic leadership. This special general session will open with a compelling address by Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary at SHRM, who will deliver a Policy, Not Politics update. In a time of shifting regulatory landscapes and heightened polarization, Emily will offer a clear-eyed, nonpartisan perspective on the policies shaping the world of work—and the role HR professionals play in advancing meaningful, civil discourse in today’s workplace. Following Emily’s remarks, Jason Sudeikis takes the stage to explore the transformative power of kindness and empathy in leadership. Drawing from his personal journey and the creation of the beloved character Ted Lasso, Jason shares how purpose-driven leadership can impact not just teams, but entire organizational cultures. Through candid reflections and stories from his career, Jason will examine the role of motivation, goal-setting, and vulnerability in shaping meaningful leadership. He’ll also touch on overcoming impostor syndrome and using positive energy to face challenges with resilience and humor. Whether you're a leader, aspiring changemaker, or simply seeking to lead with greater compassion, this session offers heartfelt insights and actionable takeaways on what it means to create conversations and communities that truly matter.

Misunderstood or Misconduct? Rethinking Neurodiversity in the Workplace - 2455

This session will discuss--in a fun, interactive, engaging way--how to address alleged misconduct from neurodivergent employees. The session will cover: 1. Understanding neurodivergency--definitions and examples, common misconceptions and biases 2. Addressing alleged misconduct from neurodivergent employees--when neurodivergent behavior is misinterpreted as misconduct, intentional vs. neurodivergent "misconduct"

Rising Above the Storm: HR’s Higher Calling - 2655

After the turbulence of the past year, the HR profession stands more resilient, essential, and influential than ever. Does your work look and feel different now? It should. This session begins with the Ethical Leader of the Year Award (ELYA) Presentation, celebrating Fortune 500 CEOs who exemplify outstanding ethical leadership. Launched in 2022 as a partnership between the William G. McGowan Fund and SHRM, this prestigious award recognizes leaders who make sound business decisions that positively benefit people and society. Past winners include Charles Lowrey (Prudential Financial), Ed Bastian (Delta Air Lines), and Marvin Ellison (Lowe’s). Join us for the exciting live announcement of the 2025 award recipient and hear how today’s top CEOs are prioritizing ethics in the workplace. Following the award presentation, SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. will take the stage to reflect on how HR has braved the storms he forecast last year—emerging with a renewed perspective on what’s possible for the profession. With this fresh outlook, HR’s role evolves beyond managing change to setting the flightpath for what comes next: rebuilding displaced livelihoods and creating workplaces where everyone can rise to their full potential—and far beyond.

Closing General Session - 2657

Leadership at the highest levels requires resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate constant change. In this rare appearance, President Joe Biden will offer reflections on the enduring challenges and responsibilities that come with leading across sectors, generations, and global events. Drawing from decades of public service, his perspective will illuminate the qualities that define impactful leadership in times of transformation. This session will be in-person and livestreamed for registered attendees only. Recording, copying, or rebroadcasting is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. All attendees entering the Main Stage will need to go through metal detectors. The restricted items will not be permitted into the Main Stage under any circumstances. • Luggage check will be available from 7 a.m. to noon in the Hall D Lobby at the SDCC. • Attendees can also livestream session on their personal devices through the attendee portal or app. Overflow viewing areas are available at the convention center at Spotlight Stage A (Sails Pavilion) or Ballroom 20A (Upper Level). • Doors are scheduled to open 75 minutes before the session start time. Attendees with accessibility and accommodation needs can enter 5 minutes prior to general doors opening at Hall H. Restricted Items: • No bags, food or beverage of any kind • Aerosols • Laser pointers • Ammunition • Mace/Pepper spray • Animals other than service/guide animals • Packages • Backpacks and bags of any kind • Selfie Sticks • Balloons • Signs of any kind • Bicycles • Structures • Coolers • Supports for signs and placards • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems • Toy guns • Explosives • Weapons of any kind • Firearms • Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard • Glass, thermal or metal containers This event is 18+ in accordance with SHRM’s Event Policies.

Around the Water Cooler with The Office Ladies Clarity Over Chaos: Workplace Truths & Trends Moderated by Brad Rencher, CEO of BambooHR - 2656

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey–co-hosts of the hit podcast Office Ladies and beloved cast members of The Office–join BambooHR CEO Brad Rencher for a Main Stage session that brings heart, humor, and fresh perspective to the chaos of modern work. Together, they’ll explore what’s changed, what hasn’t, and why culture still matters most. From hybrid schedules to AI anxiety, the workplace is full of new pressures–and old myths. This session cuts through the noise, separating fact from fiction with real stories, relatable insights, and more than a few laughs. Along the way, Brad will offer a practical framework for navigating today’s biggest shifts while staying grounded in what makes work with it: values, connection, and a sense of belonging. If you ever wondered what Dunder Mifflin would look like today, or how to build a culture that holds up under pressure–this is the conversation you won’t want to miss.

How To Build Mentally Resilient, High-Performing Teams - 1214

Employee burnout and high turnover plague today’s workplaces, with toxic environments cited as the #1 reason employees quit. SgtQ, a Marine veteran and award-winning business owner, shares proven strategies to break this cycle by identifying mental health challenges that prevent team performance. In this session, attendees will discover three mental health “camps” their employees belong to and learn to guide them towards "Camp Hope"—a framework that fosters trust, self-awareness, and effective communication. By building mentally resilient teams and promoting positive workplace culture, participants will develop scalable processes that enhance retention, boost engagement, and optimize revenue.

Break The Bottle - How to Shatter Limiting Beliefs and Unlock Mindset, Identity, and Peak Performance - 1772

In this powerful keynote, Michael Allison delivers a transformational message designed to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals break through the self-imposed barriers that hold them back. Break The Bottle and the 3-D Method are the call to action for those ready to shatter limiting beliefs, embrace a growth mindset, and unlock their true identity and potential to achieve peak performance in life and business. Drawing from his Own Experiences of Overcoming Adversity in the military, entrepreneurship, and leadership, Michael provides actionable frameworks, strategies and insights that inspire audiences to challenge their mental barriers and redefine their personal and professional paths. With a dynamic blend of storytelling, practical advice, and motivational guidance, participants will walk away equipped to achieve peak performance in both personal and professional endeavors. PDF: https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/ZkUyPdaQlswBgzZIcKi8/media/672cb7fac56b5f2a43e99440.pdf

Are You an HR Pro in California or have Operations in California? Give Us 20 Minutes and We Might Make Your Role Easier! - 2639

Does navigating workplace operations in California make your pulse quicken? Leverage the plethora of resources available as a SHRM member by joining us for an interactive session where our panel will share: where to get the latest updates on CA workplace practices, how to engage with local HR communities, how you can track state legislation and compliance changes, and how to obtain the tools and information you need straight from your CA-focused SHRM team. Relax, it will all be OK - SHRM has you covered!

Teach the Geek to Speak: Speaker Training Programs for Technical Staff - 1256

AI. Green technology. Augmented reality. All these topics are popular nowadays. Companies are either using them directly or developing products that incorporate them. Organizations need people who have the aptitude to learn technically complex topics quickly. The technical staff are these people. For a variety of reasons, though, technical professionals can struggle with communicating these topics, especially to non-technical audiences. HR leaders can help overcome this challenge by developing speaker training programs for the technical staff. In this session, we will discuss why developing a speaker program makes sense, what developing a speaker program entails, and how to track the usefulness of the program. This session is for HR leaders who recognize the issue of their technical staff struggling to convey technical information that others in the organization can understand and appreciate and are open to the idea of establishing speaker training programs to address the issue.

Speakers

Aaron Quinonez

CEO • Author • Blox Judge • Business scaling coach, Reality TV Star
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AC

State Council Director-Elect
SHRM California State Council

Angela Kinsey

Award-Winning Actress, Bestselling Author, Co-Host
Office Ladies Podcast

Betty Thompson

Chair, Board of Directors
SHRM

Brad Rencher

CEO
BambooHR

Dick Finnegan

CEO
C-Suite Analytics

Emily M. Dickens, J.D.

Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary
SHRM

Gina Ayllon

Executive Director Northern CA
SHRM

James Robbins

Founder
The James Robbins Company LLC

Jason Sudeikis

Emmy-winning Actor, Comedian, Writer, and Producer
Emmy-winning Actor, Comedian, Writer, and Producer

Jenna Fischer

Award-Winning Actress, Bestselling Author, Co-Host
Office Ladies Podcast

Joe Biden

46th President of the United States of America

Johnny C. Taylor Jr.

President and CEO
SHRM

Kia Roberts

Founder and Principal
Triangle Investigations

Lisa Perez

President & CEO
HBL Resources, Inc.

Michael Allison

CEO
The Adversity Academy Leadership Development Group

Monique Akanbi

Membership In
SHRM

Neil Thompson

Founder
Teach the Geek

Tallys Moreth

Human Resources Generalist
ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks North America

Tracy Stock

Founder and Owner
Achieve Positive Outcomes, LLC