2025 HR Conference

Tuesday, June 3, 2025: In-Person in Wisconsin and Virtual

Session 1: 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.

Session 2A: The Queen’s Gambit: Strategic Workforce Planning Like a Grandmaster

Shari Simpson

Paylocity

Master the art of strategic workforce planning through the lens of chess mastery, inspired by The Queen's Gambit's brilliant approach to strategic thinking and calculated decision-making. This innovative session reimagines talent management and workforce optimization by applying grandmaster-level chess strategies to today's complex labor landscape. Learn how to anticipate market shifts, identify critical skill gaps, and position your organizational talent for future success.

Participants will explore data-driven workforce analytics, succession planning frameworks, and agile talent deployment strategies that create sustainable competitive advantages. Through practical scenarios and interactive exercises, discover how to develop multi-move strategies that align workforce capabilities with emerging business needs while maintaining organizational agility. Perfect for HR strategists, talent management professionals, and business leaders who need to navigate the increasingly complex dynamics of workforce transformation, skills evolution, and talent marketplace disruption.

Session 2B: Empowering Managers for Success: Navigating the Evolving Demands of Leadership

Erica Storm

Von Briesen

The evolving role of managers in today’s dynamic workplace requires them to navigate an increasingly complex set of demands. Managers are often caught in the middle between company leadership and their employees, and must carefully balance the needs of the organization, the needs of their teams, and their own personal and professional development. To help managers meet these challenges and give them the tools they need to succeed, while also effectively managing company-wide risk, organizations must prioritize comprehensive training, mentorship, and clear communication. By fostering continuous support and offering opportunities for growth, companies can ensure their managers thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.

Session 3A: How Do You Stack Up? Measuring Critical HR KPIs

Ben Eubanks

Chief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory

Quick--what's the most important HR metric? It's a question many of us would have to stop and think about, but in the fast-paced world of business, we can't afford to hesitate if we want HR to be taken seriously by leadership.

In order to serve and support both the workforce and the business, we have to know the key data points relating to the workforce and the business. That's key to creating a people-focused future where everyone can thrive.

In this compelling breakout session, bestselling author and researcher Ben Eubanks will dive into the top HR KPIs that matter most. Perhaps most importantly, Eubanks will share the current gaps that hold HR teams back from success with their HR measurement initiatives, including a lack of leadership support, lack of analytical skills, and more. Incorporating case studies that touch on common challenges in pay transparency, employee retention, and training, this session will give attendees inspiration to take action in critical areas, such as:

• Getting leadership buy-in on HR KPIs (and making HR the hero of the story)
• Using data to drive important outcomes for the workforce and the organization
• Exploring strategies for building or borrowing the analytical skills needed for success

Whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or a rising leader in your organization, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make data-driven decisions that amplify your impact this year and beyond.

Session 3B: Becoming the Employer of Choice: Redefining Employer Branding in the Digital Age

Claire Frankiewicz

Naviant

In a world where digital presence often defines reputation, a strong employer brand is the key to attracting and retaining top talent. This session will explore how the digital revolution is reshaping employer branding and why it’s essential for staying competitive. You'll learn how to evaluate and build a compelling employer brand, leverage digital platforms to amplify your reach, and implement strategies that enhance employee engagement and retention. Whether you're looking to establish or refine your employer brand, this session will provide practical insights to position your organization as the employer of choice.

Session 4A: Navigating Change Without Leaving People Behind

Dr. Summer Miller

SDM Integrative Consulting

Meaningful commitment is essential for driving impactful and sustainable change - but not all commitment is created equal. In this session, we'll explore three types of commitment, their impact on people's readiness and willingness to engage with change, and how HR professionals can foster the conditions for individuals and teams to actively participate. You'll gain people-centered strategies to cultivate a culture that supports both personal and organizational growth through authentic and lasting commitment.

Session 4B: Captives, Direct Contracts, Managing Chronic Conditions, and More: How Employers Are Taking Control

Claire Preuss, Bryan Weber, Brian Meyer, and Jason Nordby

M3 Insurance

The landscape of employer-sponsored healthcare is evolving, with self-funded plans, high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), and captives gaining traction as cost-containment strategies. This session will explore key marketplace trends, including utilization patterns, direct contracting, direct primary care (DPC), and specialty drug solutions. Benefits thought leaders will share best-in-class strategies that drive improved outcomes and cost savings, backed by real-world case studies. Gain valuable insights into how employers are navigating these changes to build sustainable, high-value benefits programs.

Session 5: 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.

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].

Virtual Event Guidelines:

MRA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all event participants and MRA staff.

To ensure a comfortable learning environment for all event attendees, discussions should be focused on the meeting topic at hand. Expected behavior is outlined below:

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Alert the online MRA moderator if you notice violations of these guidelines or have concerns about fellow participants. 

Participants violating these Guidelines will be asked to stop any inappropriate behavior and are expected to comply immediately. If the issue continues, MRA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to, removal of the participant from the public chat, from the event, and/or banning from all future events.