HR Shared Services & Outsourcing Week 2025 Conference
Pre-Conference Workshop Day: Monday, June 2, 2025
Check out the Event Guide for a complete overview of the event.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Registration & Networking Breakfast
10:00 am - 11:30 am
HR Optimization: Key Themes for Organizational Excellence
Kim Davenport -
Partner and Director of Corporate Responsibility,
ScottMadden
Trish Ferris - Partner, ScottMadden
Molly Donofrio - Partner, ScottMadden
In this session, ScottMadden will talk about trends and tactics for optimization of the HR function. Optimizing the HR function requires attention both internally and externally. In this session, we will discuss themes including the evolution of operations, upskilling of the HR business partner, workforce development, and employee engagement.
Sponsored by: ScottMadden
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Networking Break
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Balance Customer Centricity and Operational Governance in HR Shared Services
Kala Wickham -
Director, HR Shared Services,
Advocate Health
Tess Rideout - Director, HR Shared Services, Advocate Health
To truly maximize the potential of HR shared services, teams must strike a delicate balance between delivering exceptional customer experience and upholding critical governance requirements. In this interactive workshop, you'll explore practical strategies for cultivating a "consumer-like" experience for your internal HR shared services team, implementing effective intake governance processes, developing diplomatic communication skills to manage demand, and leveraging data-driven operational excellence methodologies. Leave equipped with the tools to build a high-performing HR shared services function that meets customer needs while ensuring compliance and policy adherence.
Key Takeaways:
- Strategies for creating a positive, consumer-like experience for internal HR shared services team members
- Approaches to implementing intake governance and request prioritization frameworks
- Techniques for communicating diplomatically to manage customer expectations and say "no" when necessary
- Leveraging data analytics and operational excellence to drive process improvements and efficiency
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Networking Lunch
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Speaking the Same Language: How Process Taxonomy Drives HR Alignment, Lean Operations, and M&A Success
Danielle Tutson -
Director, Global HR Operations,
Wabtec Corporation
Looking to bring more clarity, consistency, and impact to your HR shared services? Join this interactive session to explore how building a strong process taxonomy can create a common language that transforms how teams work—within HR and across the business. You'll hear how this approach is being used to embed Lean practices, reduce inefficiencies, and support seamless integration during mergers and acquisitions. Whether you're just getting started or refining an existing framework, you’ll walk away with ideas and tools you can apply immediately to align your operations and scale smarter.
Key Takeaways:
- A practical understanding of how process taxonomy supports Lean operations and continuous improvement
- Insight into how a common process language enables smoother, faster M&A integration
- Examples of scalable frameworks that bring structure and alignment to HR shared services
- Guidance on how to begin building or refining a taxonomy within their own organization
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Breathe Into Presence: Breath Guidance with Dani Mae
Discover the transformative power of your breath in this guided workshop with internationally recognized breathwork facilitator Dani Mae (breathguidance.com) Through intentional breathing techniques, you’ll learn to release tension, regulate your nervous system, and return to a grounded, present state.
No prior experience necessary. This session is designed to support both relaxation and focus—perfect for the pace of a busy conference.
