Forbes Top Futurist, Heather McGowan, To Inspire Workplace Transformation with People-First Approach at Talent 2026
McGowan will challenge the myth that humans resist change, showing how curiosity and collaboration help us see and shape the future.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace announced Heather McGowan, a Forbes Top Futurist and two-time bestselling author, will be a Main Stage speaker at the SHRM Talent 2026. At the conference, taking place April 19-22 in Dallas, TX and virtually, McGowan will inspire HR leaders by demonstrating how a human-centric approach can revolutionize key workplace strategies, from talent acquisition to retention.
In her session, Solve Tomorrow’s Problems: Harness Human Ingenuity to Navigate What’s Next, McGowan will bring her bestselling book to life, challenging the myth that humans resist change, showing how curiosity and collaboration help us see and shape the future. Attendees will learn practical approaches for adapting to new realities and develop a clearer understanding of how to frame the right questions.
"At SHRM, we believe the future of work is shaped by leaders who put people first – and Heather McGowan embodies this belief. Her forward-thinking perspective and unwavering commitment to empathy as a leadership skill are exactly what our profession needs right now,” said Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, CHRO of SHRM. “Heather’s insights will empower HR professionals to build cultures rooted in trust, innovation, and resilience. I’m excited to welcome her to SHRM Talent 2026, where her message will inspire us all to lead boldly and champion the human side of business."
McGowan is a renowned future-of-work strategist who helps organizations adapt by activating their people. She has advised leaders at numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Google, JPMorgan Chase, and AT&T. Her data-driven insights and powerful frameworks have made her a global thought leader, with her work often cited in The New York Times. Her experience as an industrial designer and academic leader has shaped her unique approach to innovation, which focuses on asking better questions to solve tomorrow’s problems.
SHRM Talent 2026 is a premier event for HR professionals and talent managers, focused on revolutionizing talent strategy through skills development and HR technology. The conference will provide attendees with innovative strategies, actionable insights, and tools to place skills at the heart of their processes. McGowan’s session promises to be a highlight, offering a renewed vision for leadership in an era of constant change.
Registration is now available online. For all media inquiries regarding Talent 2026, contact Eddie Burke or Anne Sparaco at press@shrm.org.
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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