WGU President Scott Pulsipher to Share Key Insights on Talent Innovation at SHRM's Talent 2026 Conference
As organizations increasingly adopt skills-based hiring, Pulsipher’s insights will provide HR leaders with actionable strategies to navigate this evolving landscape.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, announced Scott Pulsipher, President of Western Governors University (WGU), will take the Main Stage as a leading voice in education technology and workforce development at the SHRM Talent 2026 Conference & Expo. The conference will take place from April 19-22, 2026, in Dallas, Texas and virtually, bringing together HR professionals and talent managers to explore the future of talent management.
Pulsipher will lead a multifaceted session, Unlocking Human Potential: Rethinking Talent in a Skills-First Economy. The session will challenge traditional assumptions about workforce readiness and explore how employers and education providers can collaborate to build more effective talent pipelines. As organizations increasingly adopt skills-based hiring, Pulsipher’s insights will provide HR leaders with actionable strategies to navigate this evolving landscape.
“At SHRM, we know unlocking human potential requires rethinking how we find, grow, and support talent – especially in overlooked and untapped communities. Scott Pulsipher’s work at WGU shows what’s possible when you prioritize skills, access, and real opportunity,” said Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, CHRO of SHRM. “His insights will help HR leader s take meaningful, actionable steps to bring more people into the workforce and help them succeed.”
Since 2016, Pulsipher has led WGU, the nation's premier nonprofit, competency-based university, using technology and data to improve student completion and graduate returns. Before his tenure at WGU, he accumulated more than 20 years of leadership experience at technology-focused companies, including Amazon. Pulsipher’s perspective is crucial as HR professionals seek to infuse skills development and AI into every stage of their talent management processes.
During his presentation, Pulsipher will discuss how flexible pathways, such as stackable credentials and work-based learning, can address critical skills gaps. Following his address, he will participate in a moderated fireside chat to delve into the practical implications for HR professionals, concluding with a Q&A session to tackle unique workforce challenges. His expertise aligns with the conference's core mission to empower HR professionals with the tools to revolutionize their talent strategies in an era of rapid technological and economic change.
Talent 2026 will feature more than 85 sessions, networking opportunities with global peers, and access to innovative solutions from more than 90 exhibiting companies. The event focuses on equipping attendees with strategies to leverage data, AI, and human-centric approaches to build resilient and agile workforces.
About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.
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