As AI rapidly reshapes the workplace, HR leaders are moving from experimentation to execution. In this interactive discussion, experts from Paylocity and SHRM will explore how organizations are practically applying AI in 2026—while balancing innovation, ethics, compliance, and employee trust.
Designed for HR professionals and business leaders, this conversation will examine real-world use cases, emerging best practices, and lessons learned as AI becomes embedded across talent management, workforce planning, employee experience, and decision-making. Attendees will gain actionable insights into what’s working now, what’s next, and how HR can confidently lead AI adoption in a rapidly evolving workplace.
Meet the Presenters
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Jim Link, CHRO, SHRM
Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for SHRM. With more than 340,000 members around the world, SHRM is the largest HR professional association in the world and the leading voice for matters related to workers and the workplace. Prior to joining SHRM, Link’s career included roles of increasing responsibility across a variety of industries and companies including General Electric, the Pillsbury Company, Porsche Cars, and Randstad. While at Randstad North America, he led a global team of 150 HR professionals who were instrumental in transforming the company into an award-winning, inclusive, and sustainable global leader.
Link consistently demonstrates dynamic and visionary thought leadership with a variety of presentations focusing on the interconnection between effective human capital management and business results. Using a data-driven, story-telling approach with his audiences, Link’s presentations weave together insights gleaned from a variety of sources to address the rapid and necessary changes required for tomorrow’s leaders to succeed. Typical topics Link addresses include the future of HR, global workforce dynamics, workplace evolution, emerging leadership trends, tech readiness, culture, employee and organization wellbeing, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation.
Link has graced stages across diverse geographical landscapes, sharing his expertise with audiences in North America, India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. As a sought-after speaker on the international stage, his insightful presentations delve into critical aspects of the contemporary workplace, including but not limited to inclusion, employee experience and engagement, organizational culture, benefits strategies, and mental health advocacy. His compelling discussions not only showcase his depth of knowledge but also reflect his commitment to driving positive change in society and business through the lens of empathy and civility. His ability to translate complex ideas into manageable outcomes, coupled with his passion for fostering inclusive and thriving workplace environments, positions him as a thought leader who leaves a lasting impact on audiences across the globe.
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Melissa King
Melissa King is Paylocity’s Senior Vice President of Product and Technology. In her role, Melissa leads the strategy and execution of innovative product solutions to enhance workforce management through technology. She oversees the development and delivery of cutting-edge products, leveraging emerging technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers. By fostering a culture of collaboration and agility, Melissa ensures that we continue to deliver exceptional value, helping businesses optimize their HR and payroll processes.
Melissa is passionate about supporting women in technology, promoting STEM education, and mentoring early-career professionals to foster a collaborative, inclusive environment for the next generation of leaders. She holds a B.B.A. in applied information systems and business from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
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Shari Simpson
Dr. Shari Simpson, Ed., is the Senior Manager of Thought Leadership at Paylocity and a nationally recognized voice in human resources, leadership development, and workplace innovation. With more than 20+ years of experience in HR, Shari brings deep expertise across talent strategy, learning and development, employee relations, and organizational culture, paired with a strong academic foundation and a practitioner’s perspective. Shari is known for blending research, storytelling, and practical insight to make complex topics accessible and actionable.
Shari holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation, along with an MBA, a Master of Human Resource Management, and a SHRM-SCP certification. Her doctoral research focused on how generational differences in learning preferences and competency clarity influence the effectiveness of HR professional development, with an emphasis on adaptive learning, digital self-efficacy, and organizational support. This work directly informs her approach to modern leadership, workforce development, and HR transformation.
At Paylocity, Shari leads and contributes to high-impact thought leadership initiatives, including national webinars, research-driven content, conference programming, and executive conversations that help HR and business leaders navigate complexity, change, and emerging workforce trends. She is also the host of the HR Mixtape podcast, where she brings together HR leaders, executives, and subject-matter experts to explore real-world challenges shaping the future of work.
Outside of work, she is a proud mother of three sons, including one veteran and two active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, an avid reader, and a devoted dog mom. She has been married for more than 26 years to a fire service leader, further grounding her perspective in service, leadership, and resilience.
SHRM certification has approved this webinar for 1 PDC toward SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. A program code will be provided at the end of the webinar.