Main Day One: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Check out the Event Guide for a complete overview of the event.

8:00 am - 8:50 am Registration & Networking Breakfast

img

Stephanie Ernsting

Senior Director of HR Shared Services - North America
Amcor

Is your HRSS Operating Model working for you and your customers? Letโ€™s find out! This session will explore various approaches, including tiered support structures, centers of excellence (COEs), and the integration of emerging technologies. We'll uncover how these models can be tailored to create a fantastic customer experience, boost operational efficiency, and drive real business impact. Get ready to rethink HR Shared Services and discover the model that's right for your organization. 

Action Items: 

  • Identify your modelโ€™s strengths and weaknesses in terms of customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and strategic impact. 
  • Consider how other models can be adapted to your organization's specific needs and culture. 
  • Develop a roadmap for implementing new technologies and measure their impact on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. 
img

Justin Leeman

Vice President, Global HR Operations
Scotiabank

img

Amy Wang

Head of HR & Payroll Shared Services, Americas
Mercedes-Benz North America Corporation

9:30 am - 9:40 am Open Discussion Period/ Interactive Q&A


For years, HR shared services teams have focused on steady improvementsโ€”but what if you could leapfrog past incremental change? 

Join Estรฉe Lauderโ€™s Vice President of HR Strategic Initiatives, Tech Strategy & Experience and Leena AI as they share how Estรฉe Lauder is piloting agentic AI to reshape HR shared services, improve employee experience, and lay the groundwork for greater efficiency. 

Youโ€™ll hear how Estรฉe Lauder: 

  • Identified the pain points that led them to explore agentic AI 
  • Launched a pilot and is building an innovation muscle to accelerate change 
  • Uses an โ€œoutside-inโ€ approach to unlock AIโ€™s potential across shared services 

Leena AI will share: 

  • Why an agentic AI strategy is essential for HR leaders 
  • How a single AI assistant covers HRโ€™s most common use cases, from information to transactions, and from reactive to proactive 
  • How HR can become a Formula 1โ€“style pit stop: resolving requests quickly so employees can get back to their race 

Bonus: Get hands-on with an interactive Agentic AI playground demo during the session! 



img

Dan Bagley

Vice President, Solutions Engineering
Leena AI

img

Digant Sheth

VP, HR Strategic Initiatives, Tech Strategy & Experience
The Estรฉe Lauder Companies

10:10 am - 10:20 am Open Discussion Period/ Interactive Q&A


10:20 am - 10:45 am Networking Break

Traditional HR Shared Services models are undergoing a significant transformation. This session will delve into the factors driving this evolution, including the increasing adoption of technology, the demand for more agile and adaptive service delivery, and the evolving expectations of the modern workforce. By exploring real-world case studies and industry best practices, you'll gain insights into: 

  • Implementing innovative tools and automation to streamline processes and enhance the employee experience. 
  • Developing the skills and competencies needed to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. 
  • Balancing centralized and decentralized service delivery for optimal efficiency and employee satisfaction. 
img

Tom Sterling

VP, People Solutions Operations
Cox Automotive

img

Beth Cord

Vice President, HR Shared Services
L'Oreal

img

Mercedes Sullivan

Vice President, People Transformation
McKinley Companies

11:15 am - 11:35 am Open Discussion Period/ Interactive Q&A


11:35 am - 12:05 pm Talent Management | Tell me What You Want: The Modern HRSS Workforce

Michelle Irwin - Head of Media, Marketing, Comms, Culture and Training, Siemens

The modern workforce has evolved significantly in recent years, with employees seeking more than just a paycheck. To remain competitive and attract top talent, HR Shared Services must understand and address the changing needs and expectations of the modern employee. What key factors are shaping the modern employee and how? By gaining a deep understanding of these factors, HR Shared Services can deliver innovative solutions that enhance the employee experience, drive business success, and position the organization as an employer of choice. In this session, weโ€™ll discuss how HRSSOs must: 

  • Regularly assess and refine HR services to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce. 
  • Cultivate strong relationships with employees through open communication, active listening, and regular check-ins. 
  • Focus on initiatives that promote mental and physical health, such as wellness programs, flexible work arrangements, and stress management resources.  
img

Michelle Irwin

Head of Media, Marketing, Comms, Culture and Training
Siemens

12:05 pm - 12:15 pm Open Discussion Period/ Interactive Q&A


12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Networking Lunch


1:15 pm - 2:40 pm Break Into Interactive Discussion Groups

Looking for engaging conversations and networking opportunities? Participate in our Interactive Discussion Groups (IDGs)! These are dynamic, 40-minute sessions designed to foster in-depth discussions on key topics. You'll have the chance to join two different IDGs, choosing your preferred topics when you arrive. Each group, with 10-20 participants, will be led by a moderator who will kick off the conversation with several prepared questions, encouraging everyone to share their insights and perspectives.

Interactive Discussion Groups (IDG's)

IDG 1

1:15 pm - 2:40 pm How Will Generative AI and Other New Technologies Affect HRSS Organizations?
Mercedes Sullivan - Vice President, People Transformation, McKinley Companies


img

Mercedes Sullivan

Vice President, People Transformation
McKinley Companies

IDG 2

1:15 pm - 2:40 pm Subject to be Announced
Khiv Singh - Senior Vice President, Prohance




img

Khiv Singh

Senior Vice President
Prohance

IDG 3

1:15 pm - 2:40 pm What are the Best Practices for Managing the Hidden Costs of Unemployment?
Matt Kaufer - Vice President of Sales, Thomas & Company


img

Matt Kaufer

Vice President of Sales
Thomas & Company

IDG 4

1:15 pm - 2:40 pm How does the HRSS of today play with some of the more progressive HR operating models being presented?
Gretchen Nery - Director, Employee Services, AdventHealth
img

Gretchen Nery

Director, Employee Services
AdventHealth

IDG's are two 45-minute rounds of discussion with 10-20 attendees each round. Attendees will choose which IDG to participate in onsite, and then after the first round, switch to another IDG of their choice.

2:40 pm - 3:10 pm Networking Break


3:10 pm - 3:40 pm Service Expansion | Redefine HR Shared Services with a People-First Mindset

Historically, HR Shared Services has often been seen as a back-office function, focused on transactional tasks. To truly maximize its potential, HR Shared Services must shift its focus from delivering transactional tasks to instead delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business growth. But what does it truly mean to be customer-centric in HR Shared Services? Expanding your service offerings to include higher-value services like employee relations, labor relations, and organizational development to offer your customers more than just transactional support is seen as a necessary part of that journey. In this session our speaker will discuss how to: 

  • Prioritize the employee experience by understanding their needs and delivering exceptional service. 
  • Utilize HR technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and provide a seamless employee experience. 
  • Use data analytics to measure performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions to drive business success. 


3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Open Discussion Period/ Interactive Q&A


4:00 pm - 4:10 pm Wellness Connection


The decision to outsource or in-source HR Shared Services (HRSS) is a complex one with significant implications for cost, quality, and control. This session will spark a lively debate, exploring the pros and cons of each approach. We will delve into key considerations, such as:  

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Analyzing the total cost of ownership for both in-house and outsourced models. 
  • Quality and Service Delivery: Examining the impact on service quality, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction. 
  • Strategic Alignment: Assessing the ability to align HRSS with the organization's strategic goals and culture. 
  • Risk Management: Evaluating the potential risks associated with each model, including vendor lock-in, data security, and compliance. 
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Considering the ability to adapt to changing business needs and scale operations. 
img

AJ Golden

Sr. Director, Global Payroll & HRSS
Edgewell Personal Care

img

Tom Nesteruk

Senior Vice President HR/Associate Chief People Officer
Advent Health

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm Open Discussion Period/ Interactive Q&A


5:00 pm - 5:10 pm Chairwoman Recap


5:15 pm - 6:15 pm Drinks Reception


7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Evening Match: HR + Higher Ed Shared Services Tennis Tournament

Racket up the fun at The Vinoy! Join our Higher Education & HR Shared Services tennis tournament and serve up some friendly competition.

  • 20 players, 5 courts, round-robin format - switch partners each round and show off your skills!
  • Games run 7-9 minutes, 
  • Winners crowned based on total games won (and fewest lost in case of a tie).

Will you ace the competition? Awards await the champion and runner-up!