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 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 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 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 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 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 am	Breakout 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 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 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 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.