Meet Our Speakers

Presented by Sarah McVanel

The workforce is changing faster than most organizations can keep up. Employees are no longer satisfied with transactional rewards or once-a-year appreciation. They want to feel seen, valued, and connected—every single day. Yet, most organizations still rely on outdated people plans that focus on process over experience, leaving recognition as an afterthought rather than a strategic driver of retention and engagement.

In this fast-paced, insight-packed session, we’ll explore:

• How conscious quitting and disengagement are symptoms of a deeper cultural issue.

• Why traditional people planning fails to keep employees engaged and what’s needed instead.

• The missing link between recognition, retention, and long-term loyalty—and why tech-driven rewards alone aren’t enough.

• How HR leaders can bridge the gap between strategy and experience through a culture of meaningful recognition.

You’ll walk away with a renewed perspective on why recognition isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a need-to-have for talent retention, performance, and cultural resilience. If your organization is struggling to turn its people strategy into a thriving, engaged workforce, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.

Key Takeaways:
 Understand why recognition must be embedded at every stage of the Employee Experience—not just during performance reviews or work anniversaries.
 Learn how to move beyond transactional rewards to a recognition strategy that drives real engagement.
 Explore how a real-time, experience-first approach to people planning can prevent disengagement before it starts.

Fireside Panel:

• Dr. Andrew Miki - Registered Psychologist, Tech Founder & CEO
• Madison Hanscom - Director of People Science & Consulting at Newmeasures, LLC 
• Yannick Provencher - I/O Psychology Advisor at Bucketlist Rewards 

Uncover the research-backed drivers of employee motivation and learn how to craft recognition programs that truly engage, inspire, and retain top talent. In this session, we will explore:

1. The Science Behind Recognition: Why It Works - Explore the psychological principles behind recognition and motivation

2. Building an Effective Recognition Program: Key Elements That Inspire, Retain, and Drive Performance

3. Proving the Impact: How to Measure and Optimize Recognition for Maximum ROI

Fireside Panel:

• Rebecca Dempley - VP of Human Resources at ClearView Healthcare Management 
• Marlin Smith - Director of HR, US Operations at Consolidated Metco 
• Angie Parsons - Director of Product Marketing at Beekeeper
• Aaron Johnson - Bucketlist Rewards Facilitator 

Gain exclusive insights from industry leaders on creating recognition programs tailored to healthcare and frontline organizations. Discover how recognition programs tailored for healthcare and frontline workers can combat burnout, drive engagement, and reduce turnover in these demanding environments. In this session, we will explore:

1. Industry trends: What's shaping engagement at the frontline?
2. Proven Recognition Programs: Explore real-world examples from leading frontline organizations
3. Tailoring Recognition for Frontline Success: Strategies that combat burnout and boost engagement

Fireside Panel:

• Kelly Riddell  - Vice President, People and Culture at Momentum Financial Services Group 
• Eric Clark - Chief Culture and Communications Officer at JRI Hospitality
• Daphne Kao - Vice President, Human Resources at Waypoint Insurance
• Jane Van Sickle - Bucketlist Rewards Facilitator

Join seasoned HR leaders for an honest discussion on recognition strategies that drive success and the common missteps to avoid. Gain actionable insights to elevate recognition programs and align them with strategic business goals. In this session, we will explore:

1. Recognition trends and strategies: What top HR leaders are prioritizing in today’s talent market
2. Lessons from the C-suite: Real-world successes (and failures) in employee engagement and retention
3. Turning recognition into action: How great leaders use recognition to boost performance, morale, and retention

Presented by Luciana Paulise, Leadership Coach at Bravely

Great leaders don’t just manage—they inspire. And one of the most powerful tools for driving engagement, motivation, and performance? Recognition.

Join us for this interactive leadership workshop, where we’ll explore how recognition can transform workplace culture and elevate leadership impact. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to build stronger, more engaged teams. In this session, we will explore:

1. Why recognition matters in leadership
2. Actionable tactics and tools for implementing recognition
3. How leaders can develop empathy, active listening, and emotional intelligence to make recognition more impactful