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Visionaries Summit 2025

Registration has closed for Visionaries Summit 2025

September 25-27, 2025 | Atlanta, GA

Registration for the Visionaries Summit is now closed. We look forward to welcoming our senior HR leaders as we explore The Power of People—driving workplace transformation and fostering inclusive, innovative, and resilient environments.

The Visionaries Summit is a premier, member-only event designed exclusively for SHRM Executive Network (EN) members. This year’s focus, The Power of People: Reimagining Leadership and Community, centers on how leadership and community can drive workplace transformation, fostering environments that are inclusive, innovative, and resilient.

Held at the Signia by Hilton in Atlanta, GA, the Summit offers an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with trailblazers in the HR field. Through strategic partnerships and shared purpose, attendees will examine critical workplace issues and gain forward-thinking insights tailored to today’s leaders.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience!

Stay tuned for registration updates and be the first to secure your spot.

Atlanta Signia by Hilton Lobby entrance

Visionaries Summit 2025 Hotel Information

The Visionaries Summit room block has closed, but attendees can still book accommodations at the new Signia by Hilton in downtown Atlanta by reaching out to the hotel directly.

SIGNIA by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center
159 Northside Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30313

Phone: 404.223.4414 | Toll free phone: 800 440 1071

Transform Your HR Leadership into an Experience

An Elevated Experience

EN Microphone icon

Thought-provoking discussions and knowledge sharing

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Exclusive data through exclusive programming

EN community icon

Valuable connections with like-level executives


Some events within the Executive Network Visionaries Summit may have capacity limits and will be offered to EN members on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended members register as early as possible.

Visionaries Summit 2025 Agenda Overview

For full details and descriptions, visit the attendee portal or conference app
to explore the 2025 Visionaries Summit agenda.

3:00 pm - 6:00 pmRegistration
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Networking Reception – All About Hueety 

Set against the stunning Mercedes-Benz Stadium backdrop, step into a night of vibrant color and community. Dress in your favorite hues and enjoy an immersive evening of music, food, and entertainment. Celebrate diversity, creativity, and connection—because every hue tells a story.

Brought to you by: Indeed

7:00 pmDinner on own

 

7:00 am – 4:00 pmRegistration
8:00 am – 9:00 amNetworking Breakfast
9:00 am – 9:10 am

Visionaries Summit Welcome

Mo Fathelbab, Moderator
Jim Link
, CHRO, SHRM

9:10 am – 10:00 am

From Comfort to Candor: The New Rules of Workplace Safety 

Psychological safety has become a buzzword in the workplace—but too often, it’s misunderstood. Safety doesn’t always mean comfort. Join Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of SHRM, and Jackson O. Lynch, Founder of the Talent Sherpa, for a fireside chat where they will unpack why true workplace safety isn’t about shielding people from discomfort, but about creating an environment where everyone can speak the truth, be challenged, and still belong; how leaders can set standards without stifling; why clarity is more compassionate than comfort; and how to build teams that rise under pressure rather than collapse under confusion. 

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO, SHRM
Jackson O. Lynch, Founder, The Talent Sherpa, Writer and Podcast Host  

10:05 am – 10:50 am

The Last All-Human Workforce: Designing for the Future of Work  

What if your next team member isn’t human—but your job is still to lead them? In this interactive session, discover how AI is reshaping jobs, teams, and talent—and why HR must lead the reinvention. Explore what stays human, what gets automated, and how to redesign your organization with people and agents working side by side.  

Claire MacIntyre, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, Sam’s Club

10:50 am – 11:20 am Networking Break
11:20 am – 12:05 pm 

Harmonizing High-Stakes Leadership: Strengthening CEO and Executive Team Dynamics 

(In Partnership with CEO Academy)

This dynamic session focuses on proven strategies to support fast-paced, high-stamina CEOs, helping prevent burnout and ensure effective alignment of vision and direction. Explore actionable tactics for breaking down silos and building cohesive collaboration within the C-suite, while learning methods to navigate and reconcile conflicting directives from the Board and CEO for greater organizational unity. Gain practical insights into improving financial transparency and streamlining budgeting processes across senior executive teams. The session also covers approaches to foster effective communication and collaboration among senior leaders, empowering them to make decisive, impactful decisions.

Adam Chamberlain, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA

Lars Minns, CHRO, Mercedes-Benz USA

Moderated by: Mo Fathelbab

12:05 pm – 1:15 pm 

Networking Lunch

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm 

Breakout Sessions

 

Reimagining How You Lead: Passion, Power, Purpose

Sonia Aranza, CEO, Aranza Global Cross-Cultural Strategies  

 

Peer-Derived HR Technology Trends & Insights  

Kenny Pyle, HR Technology Lead Analyst, SHRM  

 

Future Proof Your Workforce  

Daniel Culbertson, Senior Economist, Indeed Hiring Lab 

 

2:10 pm – 2:55 pmBreakout Sessions
 

EN:Assembly Groups (Mid-Market) 

Facilitated by EN Assembly

 

From Theory to Practice: Operationalizing Your AI Strategy

Chris Courneen, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources, MS International, Inc. (MSI)

 

Reimagining How You Lead: Passion, Power, Purpose

Sonia Aranza, CEO, Aranza Global Cross-Cultural Strategies

2:55 pm – 3:30 pm 

Networking Break

3:30 pm – 4:15 pm

Breakout Session

 

Closing the Execution Gap: Aligning Technology with Strategic Goals

Anna McFarland, Director, Product Management, Paylocity

Christine Pellini, Vice President, Product Management & Technology, Paylocity

 

EN:Assembly Groups (HR Leader) 

Facilitated by EN Assembly

 

Global Workforce Perspectives

James Atkinson, Vice President, Thought Leadership, SHRM

4:25 pm – 5:15 pm

Lessons from Washington Shaping the Future of Leadership & Community

As difficult as the present may be, American history is marked by challenges overcome, crises resolved, and progress achieved. Drawing on lessons from Washington and other pivotal moments in our nation’s past, this session offers insights for leaders on how to endure and prevail when everything appears hopeless. Through anecdotally rich reflections and forward-looking guidance, participants will explore constructive habits of citizenship and leadership essential for shaping the future of organizations and communities.

Jon Meacham, Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

Moderated by: Mike Aitken, EVP, HR Professional Solutions, SHRM

5:50 pm – 6:10 pmBuses depart for off-site reception/dinner
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

3rd Spot Social: Where Leaders Unwind

Dive into an epic evening at Atlanta’s ultimate social hub! Savor sharable bites, sip creative cocktails, and jump into 100+ curated games and experiences designed to spark laughter and authentic connections. Leave the formalities behind—this is your chance to mingle, play, and recharge with fellow EN leaders, where work takes a back seat to fun.

8:30 pm – 9:00 pmBuses return to Signia

7:00 am – 12:00 pmRegistration
7:30 am – 8:30 amBreakfast
8:30 am – 9:30 am

Ensuring Leaders Thrive: Why Executive Wellbeing is Business Wellbeing

Whether you’re in a nonprofit, a private company, or a global public firm, executives face stress that can drain performance—financial complexity, family responsibilities, constant travel, and unrelenting pressure. We will look at how supporting leader wellbeing strengthens both culture and continuity.

Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, CHRO, SHRM
Sara Knowles, SVP, HR Business Partners, Raymond James 
Rick Sauerman, CPFA, First Vice President, Investments, Raymond James
Moderated by: 
Kelly C. Amato, VP, Head of Sales, Raymond James

9:30 am – 10:00 amNetworking Break
10:00 am – 10:45 amBreakout Sessions
 

EN:Assembly Groups (Mid-Market)  

Facilitated by EN Assembly  

 

Design Thinking for HR – A Game-Changer

Justin Ferrell, Strategic Partnerships, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, Stanford University (d.school)  

 

HRs Role in Mental Health & Building Community

Renuka Iyer, EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer, PhRMA
Marjorie Morrison, Executive-in-Residence for Mental Health, SHRM
Prudence Pitter, Global Head of HR - Automotive, Manufacturing and Business Development, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

10:55 am – 11:40 amBreakout Sessions
 

HRs Role in Mental Health & Building Community

Renuka Iyer, EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer, PhRMA
Marjorie Morrison, Executive-in-Residence for Mental Health, SHRM
Prudence Pitter, Global Head of HR - Automotive, Manufacturing and Business Development, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

 

Design Thinking for HR – A Game-Changer for the C-Suite  

Justin Ferrell, Strategic Partnerships, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, Stanford University (d.school)

 

EN:Assembly Groups (CHRO)

Facilitated by EN Assembly

11:45 am – 12:45 pmNetworking Lunch & Reflection Conversations
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm

A Conversation Around Community, Mental Health and Loneliness  

A conversation around community, mental health, and loneliness invites participants to explore how the challenges of loneliness and isolation can become opportunities for deeper connection. Through inspiring approaches, discover ways to build a supportive and engaged environment where individuals flourish together, enhancing well-being and collective success.

Vivek Murthy, 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
Wendi Safstrom, President, SHRM Foundation  

1:50 pm – 2:00 pm

Closing Remarks

Mo Fathelbab, Moderator

Mike Aitken, EVP, HR Professional Solutions, SHRM 

2:00 pmConference Adjourned

What to Expect at Visionaries Summit

Last September, SHRM Executive Network members gathered in Austin, Texas for an exclusive two-day summit focused on navigating disruption in today’s workplace. From shifting workforce dynamics to emerging technologies, HR and business leaders explored how to lead through uncertainty while fostering resilient, people-centered cultures. See how forward-thinking organizations are turning disruption into opportunity.

Visionaries Summit 2025 Speakers

For more information about the speakers, please visit the attendee portal or conference app to view their bios.

Mike Aitken
Mike Aitken

Executive Vice President, HR Professional Solutions Division
SHRM

Kelly C. Amato
Kelly C. Amato

VP, Head of Sales
Raymond James

Sonia Aranza
Sonia Aranza

President & CEO
Aranza Global Cross-Cultural Strategies

James Atkinson
James Atkinson

VP, Thought Leadership
SHRM

Adam Chamberlain
Adam Chamberlain

President & CEO
Mercedes-Benz USA

Chris Courneen
Chris Courneen

Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources
MS International, Inc. (MSI)

Daniel Culbertson
Daniel Culbertson

Senior Economist
Indeed Hiring Lab

Mo Fathelbab
Mo Fathelbab

Moderator
Forum Resources Network

Justin Ferrell
Justin Ferrell

Strategic Partnerships, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design
Stanford University (d.school)

Ute Franzen-Waschke
Ute Franzen-Waschke

Facilitator
Peer Forum

Renuka Iyer
Renuka Iyer

EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer
PhRMA

Sara Knowles
Sara Knowles

SVP, HR Business Partners
Raymond James

Jim Link
Jim Link

CHRO
SHRM

Jackson Lynch
Jackson O. Lynch

Founder
The Talent Sherpa

Claire MacIntyre
Claire MacIntyre

Chief People Officer
Sam's Club

Anna McFarland
Anna McFarland

Director, Product Management
Paylocity

Jon Meacham
Jon Meacham

Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

Lars Minns
Lars Minns

CHRO
Mercedes-Benz USA

Marjorie Morrison
Marjorie Morrison

Executive-in-Residence for Mental Health
SHRM

Vivek Murthy
Vivek Murthy

19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States

Christine Pellini
Christine Pellini

Vice President, Product Management & Technology
Paylocity

Prudence Pitter
Prudence Pitter

Global Head of HR - Automotive, Manufacturing and Business Development
Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Kenny Pyle
Kenny Pyle

HR Technology Lead Analyst, Thought Leadership
SHRM

Wendi Safstrom
Wendi Safstrom

President
SHRM Foundation

Rick Sauerman
Rick Sauerman

First Vice President, Investments
Raymond James

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.

CEO
SHRM

Shereen Thor
Shereen Thor

Facilitator
Peer Forum

Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you to our 2025 Visionaries Sponsors

Indeed Logo
Indeed Logo
Raymond James Logo

For more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact us at sponsorships@shrm.org.

Contact Us

For information on the Visionaries Summit contact:
ExecutiveNetwork@shrm.org
888.602.3270

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