IN-PERSON

Minneapolis CHRO Executive Summit

May 6, 2025 | Sheraton Bloomington Hotel

May 6, 2025
Sheraton Bloomington Hotel

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Minneapolis's top CHROs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CHROs today:

Cultivating leadership and management skills to drive success and promote continuous growth.

Preparing for future leadership needs by identifying and developing potential successors.

Develop a cohesive, inclusive culture aligned with company values to boost engagement.

Minneapolis CHRO Governing Body


The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CHROs, For CHROs®.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Elcio Barcelos

U.S. Bank
Senior EVP, CHRO

Laurie Marsh

Ecolab
EVP & CHRO

Jared Nypen

Great Clips
VP, Talent & HR

Julie Sexton

Land O'Lakes
SVP & CHRO

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CHRO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Minneapolis CHRO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Agenda


May 6, 2025

8:00am - 8:30am  Registration & Breakfast

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

You Speak, They Swarm — The Power of Story in Reaching Your Audience

Arthur Zards headshot

Arthur Zards

Thought Leader, TED/TEDx Speaker, Coach & Producer

Guest Speaker

Speakers want action, not just applause. But busy executives don’t have time to learn complex communication models or esoteric storytelling processes — they need a simple, effective speaking framework that can help them not only connect with any audience, but also elicit real change. Enter the "Swarm Effect."

Join this session with Arthur Zards — a thought leader, TEDster and provocateur — to:

  • Hone your skills in executive influence
  • Adopt a more authentic and engaging approach to speaking
  • Take your next presentation from “understandable” to “compelling"

9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Strategic Succession — Cultivating Future Leaders

Jen Stone headshot

Jen Stone

EVP, CHRO

Owens & Minor Inc

Samantha Fentress headshot

Samantha Fentress

VP, Global Talent, Development & Inclusion

Owens & Minor Inc

Effective succession planning and leadership development are critical for ensuring organizational continuity and growth. By strategically identifying and nurturing future leaders, companies can build a robust talent pipeline that aligns with their long-term goals. This proactive approach not only mitigates risks associated with leadership transitions but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and development.

Join this case-study on how CHROs can:

  • Create impactful succession plans, adjusting to evolving priorities
  • Design intentional development plans for successors and provide growth opportunities
  • Map organizational pathways to utilize talent across divisions

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Strengthening Culture — HR Strategies for Change

Shamayne Braman headshot

Shamayne Braman

Chief People Officer

Sonos

Kim Egan headshot

Kim Egan

SVP & CHRO

CentraCare

Layla Nouraee headshot

Layla Nouraee

VP & Head of HR

Jack Link's Beef Jerky

Ongoing change, evolving work models and economic pressures threaten employees' alignment with organizational culture. Savvy HR leaders guide the workforce through change, engagement and development to reinforce desired behaviors and foster employees’ culture alignment and interconnectedness.

Join this session to learn:

  • Measuring the success of changing initiatives
  • Driving a culture of transformation
  • Equipping all levels of the organization to embed culture values

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Transforming HR for the New World of Work

Liz Bank headshot

Liz Bank

Global Head of Human Resources

Thomson Reuters

Cathy Goodman headshot

Cathy Goodman

Chief Talent Officer / VP, Enterprise Engagement & People Team

UnitedHealth Group

The world of work is changing as technology touches everything we do. This extends to the HR landscape as technology is being used to automate processes and enhance the employee experience.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Integrating your HCM portfolio into a new work hub for a better user experience
  • Using AI-enabled skills management to elevate workforce planning and optimization 
  • Improving creativity, innovation and collaboration with technology

10:25am - 11:10am  Networking Break

10:35am - 11:00am  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings

11:10am - 11:55am  Breakout Session

Total Rewards Revisited — A New Approach to Elevating the Employee Experience

Ryan Jensen headshot

Ryan Jensen

Workplace Culture Strategist

O.C. Tanner

Organizations everywhere have used Total Rewards programs to attract and retain talent by offering a buffet of benefits to highlight the investment they make in their people. Yet despite these efforts, research shows that workers feel these strategies often fail, not only in addressing their most important needs, but in enhancing their overall employee experience. This session will unveil the latest insights from the 2025 Global Culture Report and foster discussion to help you redefine your Total Rewards programs and provide the right mix of offerings to better communicate authentic care.Join this session to discuss:

  • Why employee-centered care must be at the core of Total Rewards strategies that align with what matters most to employees
  • Why recognition done well throughout an organization can make a difference in fostering positive mental health practices
  • How organizations can approach employee job transitions with the same care and attention given to new hires  

11:10am - 11:55am  Executive Boardroom

The AI Advantage — Leveraging Assessments for Leadership Excellence

Linda Reber headshot

Linda Reber

Partner

Heidrick & Struggles

Heidi Grange headshot

Heidi Grange

SVP, Change Management Leader

U.S. Bank

Dustin Wellik headshot

Dustin Wellik

VP, Global HR Strategy & Solutions

3M

Effective use of leadership assessments and AI-backed technology provide invaluable insights into developing current and future leaders and aligning leadership with business outcomes. Come together with your peers to explore how assessments can aid in your overall succession and workforce planning.

Join Heidrick & Struggles to discuss:

  • Assessing, identifying and developing a diverse slate of successors
  • Considerations for succession management in the current economic climate and the future
  • Creating a scalable solution for leadership management that flexes with your business needs

11:10am - 11:55am  Executive Boardroom

From Principles to Practice – The Impact of Future-Ready Leadership Development

Matthew Daniel headshot

Matthew Daniel

Sr. Principal, Talent Strategy & Mobility

Guild

Katie Larson headshot

Katie Larson

CHRO

Hormel Foods

Kirsten Van Hulzen headshot

Kirsten Van Hulzen

CHRO

Marsden Services

With only 36% of HR leaders confident in their current programs, this session challenges legacy models and offers a practical roadmap to close the readiness gap for leadership roles across an organization. Whether you're evolving an existing leadership program or building one from the ground up, this session will leave you with tangible strategies to turn leadership potential into a measurable culture of performance at all levels — now and for the future.

Join this round-table discussion to learn how to:

  • Explore the Seven Hallmarks of Effective Leadership Development 
  • Build a shared definition of how organizations cultivate leadership in today’s volatile business environment
  • Develop future leaders to drive workforce transformation

11:55am - 12:30pm  Lunch Service

12:30pm - 1:05pm  Keynote

Embedding Culture – Transform Your Organization’s Purpose & Performance

Angie Freeman headshot

Angie Freeman

Chief HR & ESG Officer

C.H. Robinson

Carita Hibben headshot

Carita Hibben

VP, HR (Total Rewards, Talent Management, HR Tech & Ops)

C.H. Robinson

Nikki Tollefson headshot

Nikki Tollefson

Senior Manager, HR

C.H. Robinson

Over the past year, C.H. Robinson has embarked on a transformative project to enhance its company purpose and culture. This innovative project engaged staff across all organizational levels. This group gained expertise in innovation, change management, storytelling, and influence. They built strong interpersonal relationships and used these skills to engage employees across the company as they identified the behaviors that define Robinson’s unique culture. Through this work, they enrolled a network of champions who are excited to model Robinson’s behavioral advantages and share stories to inspire others to do the same.

In this case study, you'll learn:

  • Strategies for embedding culture into your organization
  • Techniques to enroll employees into new shared beliefs and behaviors
  • Insights to implement action learning projects for employee development


1:05pm - 1:30pm  Break

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Breakout Session

Navigating Change Through Transformation

Mary Kaul-Hottinger headshot

Mary Kaul-Hottinger

CHRO

CHS

Shannon Horne headshot

Shannon Horne

Senior Director, HR & Enterprise Transformation

CHS

Leading an enterprise through change requires strategic change management to navigate challenges and improve business outcomes. Discover the secret to beating the transformation odds by applying HR best practices and leveraging a repeatable plan and methodology. Learn how to deliver success at our "Beat the Transformation Odds" break-out. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and transform.

Join this session to learn how to:

  • Foster a clear vision and strategy to ignite transformation 
  • Implement repeatable process and a proven HR methodology
  • Utilize and apply practical tools and solutions to guarantee scalability and consistency 


1:30pm - 2:15pm  Executive Boardroom

Battling High Turnover in the Quest for Talent

Florie Ellwein headshot

Florie Ellwein

CHRO

Jostens

Leslie Greves headshot

Leslie Greves

EVP, HR

Kraus-Anderson

Amidst an extraordinary demand for skilled professionals, companies are facing significant challenges due to high turnover rates. According to a Gartner survey, more than half of job seekers prefer positions offering work-life balance, career advancement opportunities, and flexibility over roles with a 10% higher salary.

In this session, you will explore strategies for retaining talent, such as:

  • Enhancing company culture to draw in suitable candidates
  • Refreshing and communicating your Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
  • Maintaining employee engagement through internal career development opportunities

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Executive Boardroom

Adapting Organizational Design for Future Efficiency

Stacy Conti headshot

Stacy Conti

Chief People Officer

NeueHealth

Tyler Aman headshot

Tyler Aman

Head of Org Development, Talent Management & Learning Leader

SunOpta

The evolving complexities of the modern workforce are transforming business operations and redefining employee roles. Amidst this shift, CHROs must remain agile, balancing immediate business priorities with the cultivation of essential skills.

In this session, CHROs will explore:

  • Reorganizing business structures for efficient workflows and resource allocation
  • Leveraging emerging technologies for employee development
  • Designing organizational frameworks for hybrid work environments

2:15pm - 3:00pm  Networking Break

2:25pm - 2:50pm  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Breakout Session

Unlock Industry Insights – Tailored Strategy Discussions

Jason Grover headshot

Jason Grover

Chief People Officer

Swire Coca-Cola

CHROs will engage in focused discussions within industry-specific small groups to identify and address top priorities. This collaborative setting fosters the exchange of insights and strategies tailored to unique industry challenges, enabling leaders to drive organizational success.

Participants will benefit from:

  • Peer experiences for innovative solutions
  • Industry-tailored, actionable takeaways
  • Cross-industry sharing of tested tactics

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

Aligning Workforce Strategy With Business Goals

Carla Gatzke headshot

Carla Gatzke

Chief Human Resource Officer

Daktronics

April King headshot

April King

VP & CHRO

Wellabe

Kristen Miller headshot

Kristen Miller

CHRO

Blattner Company

CEOs surveyed by Gartner say talent shortage is the top damaging factor for the enterprise. Despite that fact, only 15% of organizations reported practicing strategic workforce planning (SWP) last year. How can CHROs streamline SWP to align with current and future business needs while remaining adaptable to change?

Join this boardroom to discuss:

  • Optimizing SWP processes while reducing complexities
  • Adapting strategies to meet short and long-term goals
  • Matching talent needs with enterprise aspirations

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

Navigating DEI Legality and Governance

Colette Campbell headshot

Colette Campbell

Chief People & Culture Officer

Bremer Bank

Recent executive orders have posed significant challenges to the DEI programs that CHROs have developed over the past several years. While it’s not yet clear how courts will interpret the orders, CHROs are tasked with reevaluating their DEI strategies without legal repercussions while also meeting employee demands for sustained access, leadership development, and a positive company culture.

In this workshop, CHROs will collaborate with peers to address:

  • Balancing legal compliance and DEI governance with business objectives
  • Evaluating the impact of DEI on leadership development and succession planning
  • Understanding the needs of the workforce in a sensitive political climate

3:45pm - 4:00pm  Networking Break

4:00pm - 4:35pm  Keynote

Maximizing Employee Productivity – Debunking Productivity Myths

Brent Cassell headshot

Brent Cassell

Vice President, Advisory, HR Group

Gartner

62% of CEOs reported growth as their number one priority for 2025 and they are increasingly turning to employee productivity to drive that growth. Unfortunately, many CHROs struggle to define productivity and to understand what they can do to boost it. Worse yet, they are at risk of succumbing to four “emerging productivity myths,” on topics ranging from AI to hybrid risk, that could potentially derail their plans.

Join this session to learn how to:

  • Align HR strategy to the CEO’s growth objectives
  • Prepare employees to harness the full productivity boosting potential of GenAI
  • Ensure that talent strategies (e.g., performance management, culture) drives employee productivity


4:35pm - 4:45pm  Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

4:45pm - 6:00pm  Governing Body Reception

Governing Body Reception

Finish the day sharing lessons learned with your peers over light fare and drinks at this closing reception hosted by your governing body members.

May 6, 2025

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering


Gartner cares about the health and safety of our community. Please review the following recommendations prior to attending the gathering.

Location


Venue & Accommodation

Sheraton Bloomington Hotel
MORE INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 952-835-1900. Please mention Minneapolis CHRO Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $177 USD (plus tax) is April 14, 2025.

Your Community Sponsors


CHRO Thought Leader
Program Sponsors

Community Program Manager


For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Chase Schweitzer

C-Level Community Program Manager

chase.schweitzer@gartner.com