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.

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
Thought-provoking discussions and knowledge sharing
Exclusive data through exclusive programming
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 pm | Registration |
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 pm | Dinner on own |
7:00 am – 4:00 pm | Registration |
8:00 am – 9:00 am | Networking Breakfast |
9:00 am – 9:10 am | Visionaries Summit Welcome Mo Fathelbab, Moderator |
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 |
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 pm | Breakout 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 pm | Buses 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 pm | Buses return to Signia |
7:00 am – 12:00 pm | Registration |
7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast |
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 |
9:30 am – 10:00 am | Networking Break |
10:00 am – 10:45 am | Breakout 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 | |
10:55 am – 11:40 am | Breakout Sessions |
HRs Role in Mental Health & Building Community Renuka Iyer, EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer, PhRMA | |
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 pm | Networking 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 |
1:50 pm – 2:00 pm | Closing Remarks Mo Fathelbab, Moderator Mike Aitken, EVP, HR Professional Solutions, SHRM |
2:00 pm | Conference 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
Executive Vice President, HR Professional Solutions Division
SHRM
Kelly C. Amato
VP, Head of Sales
Raymond James
Sonia Aranza
President & CEO
Aranza Global Cross-Cultural Strategies
James Atkinson
VP, Thought Leadership
SHRM
Adam Chamberlain
President & CEO
Mercedes-Benz USA
Chris Courneen
Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources
MS International, Inc. (MSI)
Daniel Culbertson
Senior Economist
Indeed Hiring Lab
Mo Fathelbab
Moderator
Forum Resources Network
Justin Ferrell
Strategic Partnerships, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design
Stanford University (d.school)
Ute Franzen-Waschke
Facilitator
Peer Forum
Renuka Iyer
EVP, Chief People & Culture Officer
PhRMA
Sara Knowles
SVP, HR Business Partners
Raymond James
Jim Link
CHRO
SHRM
Jackson O. Lynch
Founder
The Talent Sherpa
Claire MacIntyre
Chief People Officer
Sam's Club
Anna McFarland
Director, Product Management
Paylocity
Jon Meacham
Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
Lars Minns
CHRO
Mercedes-Benz USA
Marjorie Morrison
Executive-in-Residence for Mental Health
SHRM
Vivek Murthy
19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
Christine Pellini
Vice President, Product Management & Technology
Paylocity
Prudence Pitter
Global Head of HR - Automotive, Manufacturing and Business Development
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Kenny Pyle
HR Technology Lead Analyst, Thought Leadership
SHRM
Wendi Safstrom
President
SHRM Foundation
Rick Sauerman
First Vice President, Investments
Raymond James
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
CEO
SHRM
Shereen Thor
Facilitator
Peer Forum
Sponsorship Opportunities
Thank you to our 2025 Visionaries Sponsors
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