Breakout Session

Ash Beckham helps high-performing individuals and teams realize the freedom that comes from embracing their authentic selves so they can thrive both independently and collectively.  Ash is a bold, dynamic presenter who speaks about empathy, respect, and the power of having real conversations. Online videos of her TEDx talks "Coming Out of Your Closet" and "Owning Your Duality" and her Boulder Ignite speech "I am SO GAY" have gone viral with more than 15 million YouTube views. Ash reaches millions as her inspiring speeches are experienced in classrooms, boardrooms, and auditoriums worldwide.  

Dana Scarcella is a high energy leadership coach, trainer, and former CHRO. She specializes in creating high performance teams and phenomenal company cultures to attract and retain top talent. She helps leaders achieve extraordinary results by understanding human psychology and behavioral economics.
 
Dana has what most consultant's do not - real world industry experience. She held HR leadership roles in 8 different industries, including world class organizations like PepsiCo, DuPont, Chemours, Teva Pharmaceuticals and iCIMS. As an HR veteran with almost 20 years of experience leading change and transformation, she understands the first hand the challenges that employees and managers face during project implementations.  

After an illustrious corporate career, Dana set out to redefine leadership consulting by incorporating a holistic framework that considers not just professional success, but also individual happiness and fulfillment.  Her methodology emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, building on strengths, and creating systems and habits to achieve goals.  Every program is backed by scientific research, while understanding that because everyone's journey is unique, different strategies are required.  

Dana has coached leaders at all levels, from first time managers to the C-suite, and holds the highest certification from The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM). She also holds certifications in Korn Ferry Leadership Architect, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Predictive Index, Six Sigma, and change management.  Dana holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Relations from Rutgers University.  She resides in the Philadelphia suburbs with her spouse and two children.

Bethany Adams has more than 15 years of experience in HR and education.  She began her career working in learning & development and human resources in the restaurant and retail industries. She has experience in both small, privately-owned businesses and large, Fortune 500 organizations. Bethany holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Organizational Management, the SHRM-SCP certification, and is a Certified Genos International Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. She currently teaches at Villanova University in the Graduate Programs in HR Development.  Bethany has spoken at a variety of conferences throughout the country and leads corporate training on topics including emotional intelligence, DEI, and strategic HR.  Bethany hosts an HR podcast called HR Tea.

Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group.  Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country on subjects including harassment prevention; diversity, equity and inclusion; combatting implicit bias; performance management; discipline and discharge; hiring and recruiting practices; performance evaluations; FMLA, ADA and FLSA compliance; leave of absence policies; LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace; substance abuse testing; workplace violence; records retention; conducting background checks; and more. Michael also has conducted investigations into claims of harassment and discrimination and has drafted employee handbooks, employment agreements, non-compete agreements and post-termination agreements. Michael regularly conducts in excess of 200 trainings each year.  He has represented clients throughout the country in EEO and other administrative proceedings.

Michael has been cited as a national authority on employment issues by The New York Times, The Associated Press, USA Today, MSNBC.com, HR Magazine, SHRM On-Line, Employment Law 360, Inside Counsel Magazine, as well as many other publications. Michael serves as an Advisory Board Member of GenHERation and as a Board Member of Serve, Inc. Michael is a 1997 magna cum laude graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Ben Peterson is the global leader of Walmart’s People Product & Design organization, one of the teams bringing Walmart’s people-led, tech-powered vision to life. He is responsible for the vision, strategy, design, and growth of experiences that empower 2.1 million associates across Walmart Stores, Sam’s Club, Walmart International, Global Tech, and corporate functions. Under Ben’s leadership, People Product & Design led the strategy and launch of innovative new products such as Me@Campus, My Assistant, and Me@Sams. His team is focused on building world-class digital experiences that leverage AI, automation, and data-driven insights to drive engagement, operational efficiency, and productivity at scale.

Before joining Walmart, Ben spent nearly a decade at Deloitte Consulting, where he co-founded and led Deloitte Consulting’s Product Management practice, leading new product innovation and shaping the offering’s go-to-market approach, growth strategy, and talent management. Ben architected and led high-performing product organizations to drive product-led transformation across the retail, digital commerce, sports, and FinTech industries.

Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Cornell University. Ben is passionate about the future of AI, building high-performing teams, and leading zero-to-one products and ventures. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family playing tennis, pickleball, disc golf, golf, and backyard football.
 

Ruth Hickin is Vice President of Workforce Innovation & Transformation at Salesforce, where she leads strategies for workforce adaptation in response to AI, skills development, and talent redeployment. She oversees the Career Connect internal mobility platform and drives transformation to meet future business needs.

Before joining Salesforce, Ruth was with the World Economic Forum, where she led strategy and thought leadership on the future of technology and global tech governance, publishing influential reports. She has also held leadership positions at Virgin Unite, focusing on strategic partnerships and impact investments.

Ruth holds an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts, an Executive Master of Arts (MA) in Global Leadership from the World Economic Forum, and a Master of Arts (Honors) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow.

Brandon Roberts is the group VP of People Analytics and AI at ServiceNow. Roberts has 20 years of experience in people analytics, AI/ML and workforce planning. He has spent his career building and leading teams in these spaces at ServiceNow, Pinterest and Qualcomm. He's passionate about using data and AI to drive better decisions and outcomes at work. Additionally, he is a published author on a variety of HR topics, including advanced analytics, employee experience, cross-cultural psychology at work and equity/inclusion in the workplace.

Charlene is the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including The Disruption Mindset, Open Leadership, and the critically acclaimed Groundswell. Her latest book, Winning with Generative AI: The 90-Day Blueprint for Success, lays out a master plan for generative AI strategy. 

She is an experienced speaker who has inspired leaders in intimate forums and expansive conference halls. She has delivered keynote addresses at such venues as the World Economic Forum, TED, and South by Southwest.

Charlene is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USAToday, Reuters, and The Associated Press, and she’s shared her expertise on 60 Minutes, The McNeil NewsHour, ABC News, CNN, and CNBC. 

Charlene earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an A.B. degree magna cum laude from Harvard College. In her spare time, she teaches her beloved cat new tricks.

Nilanjan (Neel) Adhya is the Chief Digital Officer of BlackRock. In his role, Neel actively collaborates with marketing, design, product and sales teams at BlackRock to reimagine all aspects of digital experiences, create new digital innovations, build great experiences and accelerate transformation across the digital ecosystem.

Neel has over 25 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, platforms, and people to help global organizations leverage new business models and drive growth.

Nick Schacht is a highly experienced executive with more than three decades of experience in professional services, education,  and corporate learning and development.  He has a history of driving product innovation, growth and profitability and he has led organizations operating worldwide. 

Nick is Chief Commercial Officer for SHRM, the world’s largest HR professional society. Before joining SHRM, Nick was the founder and CEO of KnowCyber, a learning and development company focused on improving the cybersecurity-related skills of people in all types of organizations worldwide. Prior to KnowCyber, Nick was President and Chief Operating Officer for PetroSkills, a provider of training and development services to the worldwide petroleum industry.  Prior to that, he was CEO and President of Learning Tree International, a publicly traded provider of IT and management learning and development.  Nick was also the President of Global Learning Systems, a start-up focused on e-Learning and digital content.  He served in a variety of capacities at ESI International, culminating in his role as President when ESI was sold to the Institute for International Research (IIR) and then as Group President for the Americas for IIR.  He has been a Research Fellow at the Logistics Management Institute, and began his career as a U.S. Navy Supply Officer, on the headquarters staff of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. 

Nick graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy, and holds Master’s degrees in Administration from the University of Maryland University College, and Information Systems Technology from The George Washington University.