Kick off with a fast pulse check on “stay, switch, or stall” and map where connection is leaking. You’ll align with local HR & People leaders on the stakes, the shared goals, and what success will look like today.

As the labor market continues to shift under the weight of new technologies, geopolitical disruption, and changing skill expectations, the biggest risk for HR leaders is driving blind.

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In this opening keynote, Tomeka Hill-Thomas, PhD, brings a data-backed view of what’s changing now, what’s coming next, and what it means for the “Road to Engagement & Retention” in 2026. Expect practical insight on the signals to watch, how workforce planning is evolving, and how leaders can realign roles and skills to reduce capability gaps, strengthen manager effectiveness, and retain critical talent.

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‍Tomeka Hill-Thomas, PhD is a Global HR Executive, business strategy leader, and PhD labor economist who advises Fortune 500 organizations and universities on labor market intelligence, workforce planning forecasts, and future-ready operating models. A data scientist and people analytics leader, she helps executives translate complex workforce trends into clear strategic moves, aligning roles, skills, and KPIs to business goals while enabling organizational transformation and change at scale.

Work a live scenario of thin manager connection and early turnover. In table teams, define what “good” looks like inside real workflows and draft a simple playbook to re-energize the manager–employee relationship.

We are living through a period of unprecedented change - economically, geopolitically, and culturally.

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At work, it’s not much better. According to Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), just 23% of employees feel capable of managing change and most are unclear about what’s expected of them at work.

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In this interactive session, Kristy Jones, an AWI Advisor and VP of Human Resources for Achievers, will explore The Connected Company, and the surprising role frequent recognition has in connecting employees to their mandate, mission, manager and peers.

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About Kristy Jones, Vice President of Employee Success, Achievers

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‍Kristy Jones is a senior HR executive and transformation leader with over 20 years of experience building high‑performing, people‑centric organizations. As the Vice President of Employee Success at Achievers, Kristy leads global initiatives across performance, culture, talent development, organizational effectiveness, and HR technology modernization. Her work focuses on enabling organizations to navigate constant change while strengthening employee connection, capability, and clarity. A recognized thought leader in the future of work, Kristy has led large‑scale transformations in performance management, workforce design, health and benefits moderation, leadership development, and skills‑based talent strategy. She is also a trusted advisor to the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), where she collaborates on research and insights that help HR leaders build more connected, resilient, and high‑performing cultures.

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Known for her practical, human‑centered approach, Kristy blends deep operational experience with a passion for innovation — helping organizations create workplaces where people can thrive, leaders can lead with confidence, and companies can adapt quickly to an ever‑changing world.

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Design a sustainable feedback rhythm that keeps teams on track, then align recognition and rewards to the behaviors your culture truly values and rewards your people actually care about. You’ll capture leading metrics and example prompts you can use immediately.

Pressure-test your table’s playbook with expert input and explore where platforms and AI can amplify connection without losing the human center.

• Moderator:
  
  • Zech Dahms, President, achieve Engagement
• Panelists: 
  
  • Terra Martire, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Sara Lee Frozen Bakery
    
  • Sarah Klebo, Director of Human Resources, Fitness Formula Clubs

Lets wrap up the day with intentions and lessons learned.

Keep the momentum going with curated introductions and peer follow-ups. Swap strategies, compare plays, and lock in your strategic peer circle for the rest of the year!