2025 HR Conference

Opening Keynote: 5 Reasons for HR's Bright Future

Ben Eubanks

Chief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory

HR today is harder than it's ever been before. Increasing automation, high demands, and other challenges are putting more pressure on HR leaders and practitioners. It's probably why we are seeing HR burnout at higher rates than ever before.

But the actual trends and research show that HR is in higher demand than ever before. In this inspiring session, bestselling author and researcher Ben Eubanks walks attendees through five major trends that emphasize and prioritize the value of strong, innovative HR leadership in the modern workplace. Attendees will learn: 

• What CEOs say is their top priority today and how HR can have a closer connection to the business than ever before.
• How the major disruptions happening in today's organizations are tied to HR's superpowers: people and change.
• What AI is great at, what it's terrible at, and why HR has to take the lead on this before it's too late.

Closing Keynote: Leading with Alignment: The Key to Building Resilient, People-Centered Workplaces

Holly Schneider, LCSW

Owner, Alignment Coaching and Consulting, LLC

Everyday HR professionals navigate complex workplace dynamics and manage challenges beyond their control. The key to fostering a people-focused culture lies in how we respond, lead, and influence others. There’s freedom in owning that the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of others do not belong to us. Holly speaks on healthy boundaries, using an alignment formula for maintaining internal peace. By understanding what belongs to you and what doesn’t—what it means to carry your own emotional backpack—you can create a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and heard. Holly shares insights on the importance of leading, rather than pleasing, paying attention to the only thing you have control over, which is YOU. Through practical strategies, she will equip you with tools to navigate difficult conversations, address blind spots, and skillfully influence positive change. By mastering alignment, HR leaders can create workplaces where employees thrive.

• Improve understanding and identify practices to manage challenges in the best version of self-using the Body-Mind-Choice Alignment Method.
• Recognize and manage misalignment moments, understanding how your past impacts your intention and impact.
• Further advance emotional intelligence, creating a personal toolbox to better spot your bias and influence others skillfully toward positive change.
• Learn successful culture tools and language from a nationally recognized organization for employee satisfaction.

The full agenda will be announced in late February.

HRCI and SHRM credits applied for.

Sponsoring MRA events is a tremendous opportunity to bring your message of business value to our growing membership of organizations HR professionals and business leaders. Our members represent all industries including manufacturing, service, distribution, finance, and health care! 80% of event attendees are new at each event offering you the opportunity to network with new contacts. We are very excited about the event this year and hope you can join us! 

For more information on sponsorship, call Laura Kielbasa at 262.696.3346 or [email protected].

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