Visionaries Summit 2026
September 23-25, 2026 | JW Marriott Indianapolis
Join senior HR leaders at an exclusive event to collaborate, tackle macro challenges, and explore transformative ideas driving innovation, inclusivity, and resilience in the workplace.
Registration for Visionaries is open. Space is limited, so secure your spot now.
The Visionaries Summit is a premier, member-only event designed exclusively for SHRM Executive Network (EN) members.
Held at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN, 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!
Visionaries Summit 2026 Hotel Information
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S West Street
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
JW Marriott Indianapolis, one of the world’s largest JW Marriott hotels, is located in central downtown just 15 miles from the Indianapolis International Airport. The hotel offers direct, climate-controlled skywalk access to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium and is steps from White River State Park. Guests enjoy modern luxury accommodations with panoramic skyline views, acclaimed dining options, and extensive meeting spaces.
Reserve your stay by August 31, 2026 while availability lasts!
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 2026 Agenda Overview
Coming Soon! Session details will be updated in mid-August.
| WEDNESDAY, September 23 | |
| 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Registration |
| 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Welcome Reception: Start Your Engines! Kick off your Indianapolis experience with a high-energy welcome reception inspired by the excitement of the race track! Attendees will enjoy great food, lively music, and race car–themed games that put YOU in the driver’s seat. Designed to get everyone in the spirit of competition and connection, this reception is the perfect opportunity to mingle, make new connections, and build excitement for what’s ahead. Rev your engines—it’s time to get Visionaries Summit 2026 started! |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner on Own |
| THURSDAY, September 24 | |
| 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 8:10 AM | Visionaries Summit Welcome Mo Fathelbab, Moderator Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, CHRO, SHRM |
| 8:10 AM - 9:00 AM | The Courage to Disagree: Why Adaptive Organizations Need Productive Conflict Adaptability requires more than new technology, skills, or ways of working. It also requires the ability to challenge assumptions, navigate differences, and engage in difficult conversations without eroding trust. In this interactive session, participants will explore how trust, collaboration, and the way we engage with others when we disagree can shape an organization’s ability to adapt. Leaders will examine how everyday language and behaviors can either deepen division or create space for productive dialogue. Through real-world examples, reflection, and audience interaction, participants will consider how leaders can foster cultures where disagreement leads to better conversations, stronger relationships, and progress—even when people don’t agree. Josh Bronstein, Global Head of Talent, Bank of America Tami Pyfer, Chief Impact Officer, Dignity.Us Marianne Viray, Executive Director, Disagree Better |
| 9:05 AM - 9:50 AM | Over the Horizon: What Leaders Aren’t Thinking About—Yet The forces reshaping the global business environment are increasingly interconnected—and increasingly difficult to predict. Geopolitical conflict, economic uncertainty, shifting trade relationships, supply chain vulnerabilities, technological acceleration, and changing expectations about where and how work gets done are creating risks and opportunities that may not yet be visible on today’s balance sheet. Economist Natalia Emanuel brings a research-driven lens to what these shifts mean for the workplace and the workforce. Drawing on her research into productivity, collaboration, learning, mentorship, creativity, and career development, she will look beyond the immediate headlines to examine the signals and emerging dynamics that could shape the next several years of business. What should executives be watching now? How could economic and geopolitical pressures influence where organizations invest, operate, and find talent? And as companies adapt, what does the evidence tell us about how—and where—people work together most effectively? Combining a forward-looking economic perspective with quantitative research on how work actually gets done, this session will challenge conventional assumptions about workforce strategy and workplace design. Leaders will gain a clearer view of the forces taking shape over the horizon—and how to build business and workforce strategies that can adapt as economic conditions, technology, talent, and the nature of work continue to evolve. Natalia Emanuel, Research Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
| 9:50 AM - 10:15 AM | Networking Break |
| 10:15 AM - 5:10 PM | Braindates |
| 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM | Breakout Sessions The Elephant in the Boardroom: Why Adaptive Organizations Talk About What Everyone Else Avoids Simone Terry, Senior Director of HR - Head of Human Resources, Walton Arts Center and Walmart AMP
Who Trains the Humans? Building Your Leadership Bench After AI Takes the Bottom Rung
The Words That Make the Leader: Career-Defining Advice from CHROs |
| 11:10 AM - 11:55 AM | Breakout Sessions Protecting the Protector: Executive Risk and Recourse for CHROs Brian Dickens, Former Chief Human Resources Officer, University of Tennessee Systems The Case for Improving Enterprise AI Aptitude EN:Assembly Groups (Mid-Market) |
| 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch |
| 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM | Breakout Sessions Executive Development and Continuous Coaching Session Heather Dunn, CHRO, Brex Governing the Machine: Making AI-Influenced Decisions Defensible EN:Assembly Groups (HR Leaders) |
| 2:10 PM - 2:55 PM | Breakout Sessions The Tradeoff Nobody Tested: Orchestration, Not Layoffs, After the AI Productivity Gain Chris Courneen, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources, MS International, Inc. (MSI) EN:Assembly Groups (Mid-Market) |
| 2:55 PM - 3:30 PM | Networking Break> |
| 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM | Breakout Sessions The Attribution Problem: Did We Develop Leaders, or Did We Just Build a Better System? Jen Prpich, Vice President Human Resources, Huna Totem Corporation The 2030 Workforce Starts Now: Turning Technology Foresight into Workforce Readiness EN:Assembly Groups (CHRO) |
| 4:25 PM - 5:10 PM | Breakout Sessions The Certainty Trap: How CHROs Decide Before the Organization Is Ready Jessica Cumming, Founder, JC New Beginnings Who Trains the Humans? Building Your Leadership Bench After AI Takes the Bottom Rung HR Unscripted: The Adaptive Workforce Challenge |
| FRIDAY, September 25 | |
| 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Registration |
| 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM | Breakfast |
| 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM | Braindates |
| 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM | What CEOs Really Think of HR Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO, SHRM Ram Charan, Business Executive Advisor and Author |
| 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM | Networking Break |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Braindates |
| 10:15 AM - 11:05 AM | Building a Healthy Workforce Alex Alonso, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, Chief Knowledge Officer, SHRM |
| 11:10 AM - 11:55 AM | Stop Trying to Save the World In this thought-provoking keynote, National Geographic Explorer and award-winning filmmaker Bertie Gregory challenges the instinct to solve everything at once—and the paralysis that can follow when the path forward isn’t clear. Drawing on his experiences filming fragile ecosystems and apex predators around the world, Bertie reveals how progress in nature comes not from perfect solutions, but from adapting as conditions change, embracing complexity, and building momentum through small wins. In unpredictable environments, he and his teams have learned to rethink assumptions, respond to the unexpected, and keep moving forward. Through cinematic storytelling and unforgettable experiences from the field, Bertie brings these lessons into the business world, offering leaders an optimistic perspective on navigating uncertainty, adapting to change, and making meaningful progress—even when they don’t have all the answers. Bertie Gregory, Award-Winning Explorer, Filmmaker, and Photographer, National Geographic Society |
| 11:55 AM - 12:00 PM | Closing Remarks Mike Aitken, EVP, HR Professional Solutions, SHRM Mo Fathelbab, Moderator |
| 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | Networking Lunch & Reflection Conversations |
Review the Visionaries Summit 2025 schedule from last year in Atlanta.
| 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Registration |
| 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Networking Reception – All About Hue 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
Visionaries is the premier executive summit for CHROs and senior HR leaders committed to shaping the future of work. Built around the theme Building an Adaptive Workforce, the Summit explores the strategic challenges defining the next era of leadership—from AI and organizational transformation to workforce strategy, executive influence, and business performance.
Join an exceptional community of peers for bold conversations, innovative ideas, and practical strategies designed to help you anticipate change, lead with confidence, and build organizations ready for whatever comes next.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
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