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Past HR Conferences

Each year the Purdue HR Conference brings together industry and academic experts to discuss the latest HR topics.

Friday, November 3, 2023

Purdue University Mitch Daniels School of Business, West Lafayette, IN

Concurrent Sessions

Sessions

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Title: The Science of Recovery: Helping Employees Thrive at Work and Home

Presenters: Dr. Allison Gabriel, Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management & Professor of Management

Session Description:

More than three years since the advent of COVID-19 and the rapid shift to remote work, many organizations are still grappling with how to maximize the well-being of their employees. With work and home still blended together more than ever, how do we help ensure that employees are truly taking time to recover from stress? In this session, Dr. Allison Gabriel will walk through the ways in which employees can reclaim time in their workday to recover – a possibility often overlooked pre-pandemic. Rather than rushing to return to the old way of work that often harmed our recovery, Professor Gabriel will challenge us all to think about how we can “work well”—allowing employees to optimize their lives at work and home. To do so, she will share the science of recovery, and how four key recovery experiences may help unlock the potential for employees to be engaged and less burned out.

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Title: Strategies for Thriving Amid Work-Life Challenges: A Multifaceted Approach to Coping with Stressors

Presenters:

Dr. Kelly Wilson, Professor of Management

Korie Nash, SVP-HR at Eaton Corporation

Session Description:

In the fast-paced world of today, effective stress management is key to employees’ success and well-being.  In this session, Dr. Kelly Wilson will present groundbreaking research that goes beyond the traditional single-strategy coping models.  While previous research often examined these coping strategies in isolation, she explored how individuals combine multiple strategies to craft unique coping profiles.  Join us for a compelling session on the evolving landscape of coping, and gain valuable insights into harnessing multiple strategies simultaneously to help your employees tackle the challenges of our ever-changing world. 

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

Title: Creating and Maintaining a Sense of Purpose in a Virtual Age

Presenters:

Dr. Jordan Nielsen, Assistant Professor of Management

Leah Tate, SVP-HR at Belden, Inc.

Session Description:

One of the most fundamental factors that drives people’s effort at work is a sense of meaning or purpose—the idea that their work is making a significant difference for other people. Although many of us do not fully realize it, we tend to rely on close contact with other people in order to maintain this sense of purpose, whether it be coworkers or clients/customers. However, recent changes in the how and where people work have decreased the frequency and depth of such contact for many workers. Dr. Jordan Nielsen will talk about the science of purpose in the workplace and what organizations and individual employees can do to keep this vital source of motivation alive and well.

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Title:  AI in the Workplace: What to Know and How to Prepare

Presenter:

Dr. Alex Alonso, Chief Knowledge Officer at SHRM

Sarah Ponsler, Director-Talent & Organizational Effectiveness at Wabash

Session Description:

Future historians of science and technology may yet look back on 2023 as a watershed moment in the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across society.  AI is increasingly transforming nearly all aspects of daily life, from healthcare and education to transportation, finance, and social services.  This session will explore the ways in which AI is disrupting and transforming the workplace through applications like automation, personalization, predictive analytics, and decision-making.  Discussion will also focus on the need to ensure that AI is integrated into the workplace in ethical and transparent ways.

 

Thank you to our speakers!

Friday, November 5, 2021

Purdue University Mitch Daniels School of Business, West Lafayette, IN

Concurrent Sessions

Analytics Track

Emerging Trends Track

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Decode Your HR Analytics and Power Your Success

Presenter: Megan Nail, VP Total Rewards Practice, First Person Advisors

Session Description: Human resources analytics may sound a little daunting, but it’s key for decision making and measuring success. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to apply HR data to your work and take it to the next level. You’ll walk away with an analytics framework and examples of how to leverage data for different functions within human resources. Whether you’re in benefits, compensation, recruiting or talent development, this session will help you better utilize data to achieve your business goals.

Performance Management in the Post-Performance Review Era

Presenter: Evan Wood, Ph.D., Sr. Director Human Capital Management, Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp.

Session Description: Traditional Likert scale performance reviews are dying, creating a vacuum in strong performance management. This session provides insight into what is next, focusing specifically on two-way dialogue and feed forward (versus feedback). You’ll walk away with a framework to overhaul performance management into your own future-oriented, developmental model.

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

HR Analytics to Measure Culture & Impact

Presenter: Chas Fields, Sr. Partner, HCM Advisory Group & Human Insights, UKG

Session Description: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” – Peter Drucker. This session will examine 3 key areas for culture improvement using trends and analysis. You will walk away with critical help in decision making for the organization.

Successfully Navigating the Flexible Work Environment

Presenter: Christopher Schrader, “Chris the HR Pro,” Schrader & Associates

Session Description: The flexible workplace is here to stay. Roles requiring an employee’s physical presence will remain in-person; most every other role will be a mix of hybrid and remote work. There is no blueprint for making these arrangements operate in harmony and result in productive work and profitable outcomes. This program will cover the managerial challenges and opportunities offered in this environment, as well as the implications for recruiting, selection, compensation and benefits and talent development.

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

Using HR Analytics to Gain Stakeholder Support

Presenter: Jaden Shepperd, Sr. Associate, HR Systems, Elanco US, Inc.

Session Description: Leaders want to make changes that benefit all stakeholders. Data analytics should help inform what changes are needed and how they impact stakeholders. This session will explore a relevant scenario of how data analytics can enhance key HR drivers of success.

Engaging Your Staff Without Causing Burnout

Presenter: Kourtney McCauliff, VP of Human Resources Officer, Open Door Health Services and President East Central Indiana SHRM

Session Description: Engagement can feel like one more task you ‘have to get done’. How do you accomplish having an engaged staff without causing burnout onto your managers? You will walk away with ideas on what engagement means today and how you can do this with a stress-free approach.

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Lunch and Panel Discussion: Panelists will present on specific initiatives their organizations are implementing in dealing with the Emerging HR Trends. After their presentations, the panelist will have a Q&A with the audience. Organizations represented by the panel:

  • Dormakaba
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Purdue University

SHRM has approved 1 recertification PDC for each session. HRCI is currently in the pre-approval process for offering 1 recertification credit hour per session. Participants will be provided the codes to receive credits on the day of the conference.

Thank you to our speakers!

2019 Purdue HR Conference

Friday, November 15, 2019

Purdue University Krannert School of Management, West Lafayette, IN

Concurrent Sessions

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Attaining and Retaining: Recruiting Styles and Techniques

Presenter: Stacey McCreery, MBA

Founder & President, ROI Search Group

 

Session Description: The purpose of this session is to discuss creative ways of recruiting and adding value and retention. What standards are people relaxing, how do we address attracting our best talent and ensuring we retain our high performers? Learn more.

People Development - When there is nowhere to go – not even up in an organization

Presenter: Hannah Northup, Owner & Principle of Northup HR

 

Session Description: Many organizations are struggling with not having anywhere for their employees to move “up the ladder” and yet they don’t want to lose them.  How do we develop people in their current roles for the next big thing and are we prepared to potentially let them go for bigger and better opportunities?

In this session, we will discuss this growing issue and help you figure out how to keep your employees engaged while still developing them and learning how to sometimes say goodbye.

 

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Setting the Pace for Change:

Presenter: Thresette Briggs, President & Chief Performance Officer of Performance 3 (P3)

Session Description: Future HR leaders who will be most successful in the world today - whether in companies, as entrepreneurs, or as community organization leaders - are those who not only can adapt to and navigate chaotic change, but who have capacity to anticipate it and create readiness for setting its pace, while helping others do the same.

In this workshop participants will complete a personal assessment of their change agility and use interactive learning activities and self-reflection to identify and enhance individual focus areas.

 

Leverage the Strengths of Your Multi-generational Workplace; Increase Engagement, Retention and Maximize Performance Results

Presenter: Angie Woods, SPHR,SHRM-SCP,

Owner of TruStone Resource Group

 

Session Description: Please join us for an interactive discussion of how to leverage the collective power of the unique generations in our workplace today.   We’ll explore the generational strengths, assets and values of Traditionalists, Boomers, Generations X, Y, and Z and what drives, motivates, and inspires individuals within each. 

 

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Creating Inclusive Workplaces

Presenter: Erin Brothers, MPA, Director of Consulting Services, Purple Ink

 

Session Description: Have you heard the term uniqueness + belonging = inclusion? How do we as HR professionals create an environment where people feel the freedom to bring their whole self to work, knowing their ideas will be heard and their contributions will be valued? It’s a tall order!

 

Creating an inclusive workplace goes beyond diversity to fostering inclusion. In this session we will cover diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and how maintain a strong workplace culture.

 

Engagement - The Relationship Strategy

Presenter: Vanessa Fields, Senior HR Manager, Keurig Dr. Pepper

 

Session Description: In this session, you will learn about the importance of building relationships and why leveraging them can positively impact culture, engagement, retention, and the bottom line.

 

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Panel Discussion on Diversity & Inclusion of Corporate Leadership

  • Cummins
  • Phillips 66
  • GE
  • PepsiCo

 

Certified for 4.00 SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. Certificates will be provided on-site to attendees for credit.

  

Thank you to our speakers!

November 7th, 2014

When

What

8:45 - 9:05 a.m.

Welcome Presentation

9:15 -10:15 a.m.

I.  PepsiCo – Change Management

 

II. Shell – Personal, Professional Branding

Erica Bryant - HR Manager DS Commercial, Supply & Distribution, Shell Oil Products

“Understanding Your Brand, Unlocking Your Potential”

10:25 -11:25 a.m.

I.  Dell – Switching from Public to Private

 

II. Cummins – HR Reporting and Analysis

11:35 a.m.-12:35 p.m.

I.  Phillips 66 – Integrated Talent Management

 

II. IBM – Social Analytics and Engagement

2:30-3:30  p.m.

I.  Panel Discussion on Diversity & Inclusion

 

II. Purdue HR Faculty Research

3:40-4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

November 8th 2013
When What
8:10 AM - 8:30 AM

Welcome Presentation

8:40 AM - 10:10 AM

Panel Discussion

  • "Creating a Culture of Diversity": HR Professional Panel: Pooja Bhatt (IBM), Kai Johnson (Humana) & Kim Corbitt (Procter & Gamble)
10:20 AM - 11:10 AM

Option Area Presentations

  • "Maximizing Organizational Performance": Cheryl Slater & Angela Imse, General Electric - Rawls 1011

  • "Human Resources as a Strategic Business Partner": Miki Wilson, Shell Oil - Rawls 2070

  • "Employee Engagement Journey": Bruce Parkinson, Cummins - Rawls 1057

11:30 AM - 12:20 PM

Option Area Presentations

  • "Strategic Workforce Planning & Acquisition": Jonathan Rosenberg, Phillips 66- Rawls 1011

  • "Integrated Talent Management": George Powers, Schneider Electric - Rawls 2070

  • "Third Party Employment Branding: Employee Turnover Rates Following ‘Best Places To Work’ Certifications": Professor Brian Dineen, Purdue University - Rawls 1057
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch Reception

  • Keynote Speaker "Preparing the Organization for 2020": Patrick McLaughlin, Chief HR Officer, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay North America
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

"Networking Fair"- All Conference Attendees Welcome!

  • This event will give attendees the quick and entertaining opportunity to introduce themselves to company representatives and learn about industry trends, company culture, career paths, and specific human resources challenges. Purdue Faculty will also be presenting on their current research including an analysis of companies who participate in “Best Companies to Work For” surveys and the effects on turnover and recruiting. This is a great opportunity to meet company representatives, build relationships, and learn about hot HR topics in various industries. Refreshments will be provided including light snacks and beverages. 

 

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012
When What
7:30AM-8:15AM

Breakfast Session

Introduction & Welcome

  • Dr. Brad Alge, Associate Professor of Management
  • Dr. P. Christopher Earley, Dean, Krannert School of Management
8:15AM-9:15AM

Keynote Address

Ms. Andra H. Liepa, Vice president of Human Resources & Communications, the Security Technologies sector of Ingersoll Rand

Title of Session: "Identifying HR as a Strategic Business Partner"

9:30AM-10:30AM

Choice Session:

Session A: “HR Partnership: Understanding the Global, Strategic, Leadership Agenda”

Simone Haygood, US HR Operations Global Functions Human Resource Manager, Shell Oil Products

Session B: “International Talent Management”

James Momon, Director of Human Resources, International Division, 

General Mills Inc.

10:35AM-11:35AM

Choice Session:

Session C: “Strategic Workforce Planning”

Heather Whiteman, Workforce Planning Manager, GE Aviation

Session D:  "Evidence-Based Insights on Improving Reward Systems for Employee Engagement"

Dr. Benjamin Dunford, Associate Professor of Management, Purdue University

11:45AM-1:00 PM

Lunch & Keynote Address

Dr. Mark Huselid,  Distinguished Professor II of HR Strategy, School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University

Title of Session: "Linking HR to Firm Performance: Economic Benefits and Value Added"

1:15 PM-2:15 PM

Interactive Poster Session

 Current MSHRM students and Doctoral students will display posters on either internship experience or research projects relevant to HR. Conference attendees may interact with students

2:30PM-3:30PM

Keynote Address

Mr. Brian Jones, Sr. Director of Human Resources, American Eagle Outfitters

Title of Session: “The Future of Performance Management: My Experience Killing the Performance Review”

3:30PM

Certificate of Participation for CEU credits awarded

SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
When What
07:30AM-08:30AM

Breakfast Session

Introduction & Welcome

  • Dr. Brad Alge, Professor in OBHR (Purdue University)
  • Dr. Jerry Lynch, Interim Dean of Krannert School of Management (Purdue University)

Opening Session

"Nourishing the workforce: Employee Engagement Initiatives That Feed Business Success at One of The World's Largest Food & Beverage Companies"

  • Alan Collins, President and Founder (SuccessInHR.org)
08:30AM-09:20AM

Science/ Practitioner Forum

"Global Talent Mobility"

  • Dr. Greg Hundley, Professor in HR and Director of the Center for international Business - CIBER (Purdue University)
  • Jonathan Pearce, Principal (Deloitte Consulting)
  • Q&A session with audience
09:30AM-10:10AM

Science/ Practitioner Forum

"Engaging 'Hight Potential' Employees through Development and Feedback"

  • Dr. Deidra Schleicher, Professor in OBHR (Purdue University)
  • Sarah Brock, Ph.D., Director of Global Development and Succession Assessment (Personal Decision Institute)
10:20AM-10:50AM
  • Mark Atkinson, Director of People, Development, & Change (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
10:50AM-11:20AM

"Using Engagement to Provide Business Solutions in the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina"

  • Fred Whipple, HR Manager, Gulf of Mexico Operations (Shell Oil)
11:20AM-11:50AM
  • Jessica Gato, Human Resource Leader (GE Aviation)
  • Kristie Sturgeon, Plant Leader (GE Aviation)
11:45AM-01:00PM

Lunch & Keynote Address

  • Keynote Speaker: Morgan Burke, Director of Athletics (Purdue University)
01:00PM-01:30PM

Interactive Poster Session & Photo Opportunities

  • Current MSHRM students and Doctoral students will display posters on either internship experience or research projects relevant to HR
  • Conference attendees may interact with students

MSHRM Student Posters

  • Kijae Kim - P&G, consumer goods
  • Brent Pett - GE Aviation, engineering
  • Robert Gee - Dell, computer and IT solution
  • Mina Awad - Marathon, oil and energy
  • Summer Carder - Ingersoll Rand, manufacturing
  • Jo-Mei Wang - Mercer. consulting service
  • Benjamin Marshall - CH2M Hill, engineering company

Doctoral Student Posters

  • Heidi Baumann - The Employee as a Whole Person: Investigating Conflict between Employees' Work, Family, and Personal Lives
  • Chris Hartwell - Deconstructing Structured Interviews: Examining Components of Interview Structure
  • Susan Lee - The Role of Non-Reciprocity Exchange Rules in Developing Team Member Exchange Relationship
  • Patrick Bruning - An Examination of Job Crafting in a Lean Manufacturing Context
01:30PM-02:30PM

"When Cultures Collide: Engaging Employee during Large Scale Change (Mergers & Acquisitions)"

  • Cynthia Bowman, Senior VP - Leadership Development (Bank of America)
  • Thomas Ayres, VP - Organizational Change and Integration Management (Evonik Degussa)
03:30PM-03:30PM

HR Expert Panel Q&A

"Best Practices: How We Engage Employees" (Moderated by Krannert OB/HR faculty member)

Panelists:

  • Katie Prather, Deloitte
  • Alan Collins, Success in HR
  • Cynthia Bowman, Bank of America
  • Thomas McDuffee, Veralia (retired)
  • Dr. Honling Jiang, Visiting HR Professor & Associate, Director of Confucius Institute (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)