Explore Topics

The Stories We Tell: Shaping Behavior, Buy-In, and Belonging 

Keith Bailey 
Co-Founder, Articulated Intelligence 

In HR and organizational leadership, the stories you tell influence culture, trust, and engagement more than policies and processes ever will. Every conversation carries a story that shapes how people respond, engage, and act. In this immersive keynote, Keith Bailey introduces and demonstrates the With 1 Word® storytelling method, a practical framework you can use to communicate with clarity, credibility, and emotional resonance. You’ll experience how intentional storytelling builds affective trust - trust that fuels psychological safety, collaboration, and buy-in during the moments that matter most. Go beyond theory in this training ground for leadership presence, influence, and workplace connections delivered out loud!

HR Hotline Live 

Facilitated by Mary Lynn Fayoumi, CAE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
President & CEO, HR Source

All the drama and inner workings of the HR Hotline live on the conference stage! Peek behind the curtain as our HR Hotline experts delve into hot topics, trends, and insights gleaned from more than 7,000 HR Source member questions fielded over the past year. You'll leave with answers to tough questions, insight into complex situations, and tips and tools for analyzing your specific HR challenges. Don’t miss this dynamic, interactive session where HR expertise meets real-world circumstances!

Employment Law Update 

Kelly A. Hayden, JD
Chief Legal Counsel, HR Source

Join HR Source Chief Legal Counsel Kelly Hayden for an engaging and interactive exploration of recent and current employment law cases. You’ll be presented with compelling fact patterns drawn from cases involving workplace disputes, discrimination, wrongful termination, and more. Test your instincts by guessing how the courts ruled in each scenario. The session will deepen your understanding of employment law, highlight key legal principles, and provide practical insight into how legal decisions are made. Get ready to sharpen your skills and see if you can predict the verdict!

Taking the Lead During Times of Uncertainty

Julius Rhodes, SPHR 
Founder and Principal, mpr group

Doing more with less has become the new normal and uncertainty is no longer the exception - it’s the environment we navigate every day. In this practical and thought-provoking session, Julius Rhodes will help you build the confidence and skills to move forward when clarity is limited and expectations are high. You’ll explore what today’s business realities demand of leaders, how uncertainty fuels resistance, and why mindset, engagement, and emotional intelligence matter most. Through real-world insight and actionable strategies, you’ll learn how to provide stability for your team, lead through crisis, and strengthen performance.

Best Practices for Conducting Investigations 

Sonal Shah, JD 
HR Source

When concerns about harassment or discrimination arise, responding decisively is critical - but limited resources and overlapping roles can make investigations feel daunting. Equip yourself, your managers, supervisors, and HR leaders with the tools and confidence to conduct fair, consistent, and legally sound workplace investigations - even without a large HR infrastructure. You’ll learn to recognize reportable behavior, respond appropriately to complaints, and navigate the investigation process with neutrality and professionalism. From intake and documentation to interviewing, evaluating evidence, and communicating outcomes, we’ll cover best practices as well as common missteps to avoid.

Please Generate a Catchy Title about Using AI at Work  

Blaise Adams, aPHR and Allison Sues, JD 
HR Source

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday work and developing responsible use habits and policies is critical. In this practical session, Data Analytics Specialist Blaise Adams and Senior Employment Law Counsel Allison Sues break down what organizational leaders and human resources professionals need to know about integrating AI tools into the workplace. They’ll demystify common AI terminology, explore realistic use cases, and identify emerging legal considerations to help you stay ahead of risk while embracing innovation and efficiency. You’ll walk away better prepared to leverage AI confidently.