
Minneapolis CHRO Virtual Executive Summit
May 12, 2021 | 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
May 12, 2021 | 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Collaborate with your peers
Come together with your peers virtually to tackle top business challenges through peer-driven content and discussions at the Minneapolis CHRO Virtual Executive Summit.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CHROs today:
The intersection between mental health, well-being, employee engagement and talent retention
Building and growing a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion
Leadership development, upskilling the workforce and the future of work
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Ismat Aziz
Kemper Corporation
CHRO & Chief Administrative Officer

Patience Ferguson
City of Minneapolis
Chief Human Resources Officer

Melissa Kremer
Target
EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer

Laurie Marsh
Ecolab
EVP, Human Resources

Carol Surface, Ph.D.
Medtronic
Chief Human Resources Officer
What to Expect
Connect with your CHRO community through a variety of different session formats at the upcoming Virtual Executive Summit. You'll have the opportunity to listen, engage and create lasting relationships with like-minded peers.
Meet the Speakers
Don't miss this opportunity to meet with CHRO practitioners and industry thought leaders who shared their insights on the agenda. Come with questions and get ready to meet new friends in this casual session designed to foster peer connections and collaboration in the Minneapolis community.
Agenda
May 12, 2021
11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Virtual Summit Boardroom
Unlocking Workforce Responsiveness Through Organizational Design

Elcio Barcelos
CHRO
US Bank

Erin Feigal
SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer
Prime Therapeutics
Change management has taken on a new meaning as organizations navigate unprecedented change and an uncertain future. Flexibility and adaptability have become even more critical, and maintaining an engaged workforce is an ongoing challenge. How are HR leaders shaping the direction of the organization and ensuring the workforce is responsive, engaged and productive?
Join this session as HR leaders discuss:
- How to equip employees to handle change
- Methods of reducing friction when implementing new work flows
- Trends in organizational re-design and execution
11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Virtual Summit Boardroom
Adapting to the New Reality of Leadership

Patience Ferguson
Chief Human Resources Officer
City of Minneapolis

Michael Garrett
SVP, Human Resources and Inclusion
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Joseph Kalkman
EVP, Chief Administrative Officer & CHRO
CentraCare
Leadership is a skill that needs to be honed, whether leading the C-suite or in an entry-level role. With more than 90% of HR leaders looking to implement a hybrid work model, what’s the best way to adapt to the new work environment in a sustainable way?
Join this session as HR leaders discuss:
Fostering leadership development and team connection
Challenges in leadership with a hybrid workforce
Strategies to ensure culture and connection are in place across all teams
11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Virtual Summit Boardroom
The CHRO Network — Fostering Mentorship and Connection

Deb LaMere
CHRO
Datasite

Connie Wanberg
Professor and Industrial Relations Faculty Excellence Chair - Department of Work and Organizations
University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, Dept of Information and Decision Sciences
Leading a team through a global pandemic, economic uncertainty and societal unrest requires leaders to be in tune to the needs of their team in order to best support them. But burnout is increasing among HR professionals as the world of work continues to change. How can CHROs network, connect and support one another to combat burnout and create lasting professional relationships.
Join this virtual boardroom to discuss:
- Ways to expand your professional network and establish new connections
- Strategies to reduce burnout and practice self-care
- The importance of leading through example; prioritizing wellness and empathy
12:00pm - 12:45pm CDT Virtual Summit Keynote
From Recruitment to Retention — HR's Guide to Talent of the Future
Hosted by Bank of America

Kevin Crain
Managing Director, Head of Workplace Solutions Integration
Bank of America

Kristy Larson
VP, Human Resources
AMETEK

Nathan Weaver
VP, Human Resources & Communications
H.B. Fuller Company
Talent is a resource, and with a changing work environment, expectations from the workforce and needs of organizations may not be in sync. Understanding the challenges employees face and what is most important to them is critical to attracting talent. Focusing on employee wellbeing and a conscious effort in engagement is key to retaining talent. How can HR work on both strategies in tandem to find, onboard and retain top talent.
Join this virtual keynote as HR leaders discuss:
- Trends in expectations from the workforce
- Strategies to attract and retain top talent
- The future of talent strategy
12:45pm - 1:15pm CDT Networking
Meet the Speakers

Leslie Greves
VP, Human Resources
Kraus-Anderson
Don't miss this opportunity to meet with CHRO practitioners and industry thought leaders who shared their insights on the agenda. Come with questions and get ready to meet new friends in this casual session designed to foster peer connections and collaboration in the Minneapolis community.
1:15pm - 1:30pm CDT Break
8:00am - 8:45am CDT Virtual Summit Keynote
Creating a Learning Culture Through Upskilling Your Workforce
Hosted by Degreed

Julie Dervin
Global Head of Corporate Learning & Development
Cargill

Kelly Palmer
Chief Learning Officer
Degreed
When companies invest in upskilling strategies, they align employees’ skills to their company’s evolving business strategy. The journey starts with creating a learning culture and setting a strong foundation of helping your employees develop and build skills for the future.
In this session, you will explore:
- How to identify and fill skills gaps
- The importance of helping your workforce stay competitive
- Building a solid foundation for learning and what’s next on the upskilling journey
8:45am - 9:00am CDT Break
9:00am - 10:00am CDT Virtual Summit Boardroom
Enhancing the Approach to DE&I

Cecilia Stanton Adams
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Allianz

Ann Anaya
Chief Diversity Officer
3M
Throughout 2020, DE&I programs flourished. But to sustain these efforts, leadership must continue to partner across the C-suite and take a thoughtful approach to addressing important endeavors like supporting social justice causes and increasing diversity in all levels of the organization. As DE&I programs remain a top priority, how should HR leaders ensure they stay relevant and forward-thinking?
Join this session as HR leaders discuss:
- Strategies to meet the aspirational goals of a robust DE&I program
- Methods of communicating and demonstrating commitment to your workforce
- The future of DE&I programs and trends in supporting social justice causes
9:00am - 10:00am CDT Virtual Summit Boardroom
Avoid Burnout, Maintain Engagement — Maximizing Employee Well-Being
Hosted by Glint

Chad Bennett
Sr. People Science Consultant
Glint

Colleen Dockendorf
Chief Human Resource Officer
Ryan Companies

Sheila Kramer
VP, Human Resources
Donaldson
Despite the odds, employees were happier at work by the end of 2020 than they were at the end of 2019, even though burnout continues to rise —with some employees and industries experiencing a tighter squeeze than others. Maintaining an engaged workforce through 2021 and beyond requires insight into employee sentiment and a distinct strategy to execute across all levels of leadership.
Join this session as HR leaders discuss:
- Understanding the precursors to burnout and how to address them
- Fostering a community of support, focus and refuge at work
- Methods to equip employees to navigate change and mitigate fatigue
9:00am - 10:00am CDT Virtual Summit Boardroom
Optimizing Engagement — Innovating the Employee Lifecycle
Hosted by Avature

Darla Figoli
SVP, Human Resources & Employee Service, CHRO
Xcel Energy

Emma Mon
Head of Global Talent, Learning & Leadership Development, Engagement
JLL

Dimitri Boylan
CEO & Founder
Avature
The pandemic, social justice movements and economic strain have increased pressure on the enterprise to evolve and enhance the employee experience. In order to adapt, CHROs should evaluate the employee lifecycle from end to end to retain talent, grow culture and build engagement.
Join this session as HR leaders discuss ways to:
- Provide a unique and personalized onboarding experience in remote and hybrid work environments
- Generate internal mobility, empowering employees to grow their skills
- Create opportunities for connectivity and team building
10:00am - 10:45am CDT Virtual Summit Keynote
HR's Role in Advancing the New Era of Healthcare
Hosted by BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota

Ruth Hafoka Gutierrez
SVP, Chief Human Resources Officer
BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota

Becky Rauen
Vice President, Human Resources
North Memorial Health
The past year has altered how we interact with the world; resiliency, agility and the ability to adjust to change are not just desirable traits, they are necessary. How can the business apply those same principles to support the health and wellbeing of the workforce in the digital, on-demand age of healthcare? The way we discuss health and wellbeing has changed; By focusing on principles of mental health and resiliency, the door has been opened for discussion on what healthcare should look like in this new era. How are HR leaders guiding their organizations to support these key priorities through digital-first benefits and a focus on wellbeing and resiliency.
Join this virtual keynote as HR leaders discuss:
- The future of health care and why HR leaders should remain employee centric and agile
- Benefits of building resilience and supporting healthy habits for the workforce
- Emerging trends in digital engagement and behavioral health initiatives
10:45am - 11:00am CDT Break
1:30pm - 3:00pm CDT Virtual Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Meet virtually for in-depth conversations with your colleagues
May 12, 2021
Community Program Manager
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