Sessions, Programs & Keynotes

Your Next HR Assistant: It's Not Human

by Alexander-Ali Dalipi

"Your Next HR Assistant: It’s Not Human" explores the intersection of HR learning and AI technology, emphasizing the importance of mastering the art of prompting.  Let's understand how humans naturally have conversation.  How can w…Read more »

Putting Your Mask on First: HR for HR

by Jarik Conrad

The role of a HR professional has become increasingly difficult and complex. HR teams routinely tackle staffing shortages, employee burnout and disengagement, DEI pressure and criticism, and intensifying compliance and regulatory challenges—all…Read more »

Completing Arkansas Razorback Leadership/Teamwork Lineup

Closing Keynote Session:  More information to come. …Read more »

Attorney Panel: “Prevent the Fire: Legal Strategies to Stay Out of Crisis”

When it comes to workplace crises, prevention isn’t just smart it’s legally essential. Join our powerhouse panel of employment law attorneys as they pull back the curtain on the biggest legal risks facing HR today and how to take action b…Read more »

Breathe In, Lead Out: The Transformative Power of Breathwork for Workplace Leaders

In today’s fast-paced workplace, stress and decision fatigue can take a toll on leadership effectiveness. This is an interactive session that introduces workplace leaders and managers to the power of breathwork for stress management, focus, and…Read more »

Executive Panel: “Proactive HR: Steering Clear of Crisis”

In today’s fast-moving world of work, HR professionals can no longer afford to be reactive. This dynamic executive panel brings together seasoned HR leaders to discuss how they stay ahead of the curve and proactively shape policies, culture, an…Read more »

The Juggling Act - How To Juggle Work, Change, And Performance In The Post-COVID Workplace

Juggling tasks and adapting to the “new normal” has challenged every industry. After a global pandemic and ongoing social and economic shifts, professionals must manage change with resilience. Cody Byrns, a professional juggler and intern…Read more »

"Beyond the Job Boards: Discovering Hidden Talent in Unexpected Places"

by Christie Martin

This session explores innovative recruitment strategies beyond traditional methods. This presentation highlights unconventional approaches to discover qualified candidates in today's competitive job market. Learn how to leverage social media, communi…Read more »

5 Levels of Leadership

by Malinda Tyson

The 5 Levels of Leadership, developed by John C. Maxwell, is a framework designed to help individuals understand and enhance their leadership capabilities. This training guides leaders through five levels, each building upon the previous one to achie…Read more »

Breaking the Stigma: Transforming Workplace Mental Health into a Strategic Advantage

by Tiffani Quarles

This session equips HR and business leaders with actionable strategies to foster a mentally healthy workplace culture. Explore insights on the impact of mental health on employee productivity, retention, and overall organizational success. Attendees …Read more »

Breathe In, Lead Out: Yoga for HR Leaders___RSVP Needed

by Jessica Miller-Merrell

Join us at 7:30a.m. for a one-hour yoga and mindfulness session "Breathe In, Lead Out: Yoga for HR Leaders" designed specifically for HR professionals navigating high-demand roles.  This all-levels class blends gentle movement, breathwork, an…Read more »

Building a Family-Friendly Workplace: Paid Leave, Childcare, and Workforce Growth in Arkansas

by Anna Koelsch

Features a panel of HR leaders and Arkansas business executives who have implemented paid leave or childcare benefits.…Read more »

Creating a People First Culture

by Libbi Whitehurst

A People First culture puts employees at the heart of everything a company does. It prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and growth—driving stronger performance, retention, and innovation. This presentation explores how organizations ca…Read more »

Creative Balance: A Toolkit for Sustainable HR Leadership

by Meagan Davis

HR professionals are often the first to support others—and the last to care for themselves. This interactive session offers a research-based, practical approach to preventing burnout through creative balance. Drawing from neuroscience, wellness…Read more »

Data-Driven Decisions Start with Gold Standard Data - Using BLS Data for your HR strategies.

by Alyssa Leibold

Overview of who the BLS is, what employment and wage data we have available, how HR professionals can use this data in their jobs, and how they can locate this data.…Read more »

Embracing Resistance to Change: Guiding Change Through the Paradox of Resistance

by Jim Maddox

Participants can explore the utility and practical applications of a new OD tool - the Change Resistance Paradox Model. The model is designed to work seamlessly with other time-tested models such as Kotter, Lewin and Weisbord. The model shows how to …Read more »

Empathy in Action - Navigating Personal Trauma in the Workplace

by Kristi Spaethe

Empathy in the workplace is key to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where employees feel valued and understood. It fosters trust, strengthens team connections, and boosts employee engagement and well-being. A culture of empathy ensures th…Read more »

Leading Through Change: Helping Leaders Show Up When Everything’s Shifting

by Onika Williams

Change is inevitable—but too often, leaders are equipped to manage the logistics, not the emotional and psychological transitions that follow. HR professionals are often the steady hands behind transformation, yet tasked with supporting leaders…Read more »

Mastering the Fundamentals of Violence Prevention: Assess, Mitigate, and Protect against Violence.

by James Atchley

Organizations face a plethora of threats, including altercations, robberies, intruders, angry employees or clients, and active shooters. As a HR professional, what can you do to protect yourself and your people? Mastering the fundamentals of violence…Read more »

One Size Doesn't Fit All: Tailoring Personality Assessments for Your Team

by Steven Shook

Unlock the potential of your workforce with personality assessments designed to fit your unique team dynamics. This engaging session empowers HR practitioners to go beyond generic approaches, equipping them with the tools to select, implement, and le…Read more »

Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Lawsuits: How to Fire without the Fallout

by Chris Vaught

This session unpacks retaliation risks and teaches you how to discipline employees without triggering lawsuits. We’ll decode legal retaliation, spotlight common missteps, and examine how employees prove their claims. Learn to document, communic…Read more »

Refill Your Cup: Self-Care for Thriving Leaders

by Braden Ross

In this session, we’ll dive into how taking care of you is the key to being a great leader. You will learn how to craft a self-care plan that addresses your relational, mental, emotional, and physical health, so you can show up as your best sel…Read more »

Resilience in Human Resources

by Susan Wathen

This engaging and data-driven presentation presents attendees with data supporting the importance of resilience of HR professionals, organizations, and leaders and how to influence these areas, as well as the completion of an exercise to assess and i…Read more »

Storytelling Through Data Visualization

by Alexander-Ali Dalipi ...

This seminar will introduce the fundamentals of understanding datasets, data structure, and data integrity for HR professionals. Familiarizing yourself with these basic concepts will allow the professionals to analyze, manipulate, and produce visual …Read more »

Talent & Behavior: The Intersection of the Brain & People Processes

by Tiffany Curry

Our brains are constantly “on,” navigating the world with minimal effort. Meaning, blind spots are nearly impossible to detect, leading to automatic, unconscious, and unintentional decision-making. Without the intentional design of our sy…Read more »

The ABCs of Wholeness

by Lyndi Zavy

This session empowers individuals to cultivate a more fulfilling and balanced life by focusing on three key areas: authenticity, boundaries, and counterbalancing work-life stress. Participants will learn how to embrace their true selves, confidently …Read more »

The Future of Benefits: How Care Benefits Support Recruitment and Retention

by Alison Williams

In this interactive and engaging session, participants will hear from one of the nation’s leading business coalition managers. Excel by 8’s business coalition includes more than 80 entities from across Arkansas committed to finding ways t…Read more »

The Power of Organizational PlasticityTM: Cultivating Resilience, Agility, and Strategic Growth in Uncertain and Complex Times.

by Jarik Conrad

The modern world is relentless in its pace of change. With information flowing faster than ever—often inaccurate, emotionally charged, or overwhelming—individuals and organizations face significant challenges in maintaining clarity, resil…Read more »

Turning an Invention into an HR Innovation

by Lonnie Emard

As part of C-Suite leadership, HR can play a key role in transforming people strategy through apprenticeships, once limited to trades but now vital across all occupations. Leading collaborative strategies for talent acquisition, development, retentio…Read more »

Unlocking Potential: Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Employees in the Workplace

by Amanda Russo

Neurodivergent employees bring unique strengths to the workplace but often face challenges due to a lack of inclusivity. This presentation equips leaders with tools to create supportive environments, explore neurodivergent traits, and address barrier…Read more »

Unraveling the Myths and Misconceptions about Employer Health Plans and What’s Truly Driving Costs

by David Ross

Join us for this high-energy whiteboard session, where we'll delve into the complexities of medical plans. While many popular ideas are rooted in truth, they are often misunderstood or oversimplified, to the point of being false or misleading. This s…Read more »

What's Missing From Your Onboarding Process - A look into Training Within Industry

by Brandon Brown

A sense of urgency is causing an examination of the extraordinary accomplishments of companies during WWII. By using Job Instruction and Job Relations programs to increase war-time production, the results speak for themselves. There is a growing real…Read more »