JOHNNY C. TAYLOR, JR. (opening keynote)
Fireside chat to discuss Civility in the Workplace
DR. VIJAY PENDAKUR
Disruption-Proof Teams: Everyday Behaviors That Drive Resilience, Agility, and Performance
In today’s workplaces, disruption isn’t a temporary storm — it’s the new normal. HR leaders know the costs: rising burnout, eroding engagement, and teams that stall under pressure. But resilience isn’t built through slogans or one-off campaigns; it grows from the everyday behaviors leaders and teams practice together.
In this keynote, Dr. Vijay Pendakur — former C-level leader at Zynga, VMware, and Dropbox and author of The Alchemy of Talent — unpacks the formula for teams that win consistently, even in endless uncertainty. You’ll see how small, science-backed behavior shifts flatten the disruption “dip,” protect performance, and sustain energy across your workforce.
Attendees will leave with practical tools to bring back to their organizations — not grand gestures, but repeatable behaviors that HR can champion and scale to help teams thrive in uncertainty, adapt faster, and deliver extraordinary results.
Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize the hidden costs of disruption — from stalled execution to rising turnover — and why most teams struggle to sustain performance.
- Apply everyday behaviors that flatten the disruption “dip” and accelerate adaptability, engagement, and results.
- Equip their organizations with repeatable practices HR can scale to turn disruption into a competitive advantage.
CHERRON CASTILLO
Psychological Safety at Work
Every organization says they want people to “speak up,” but few create the conditions that make it safe to do so. In this interactive session, participants explore how psychological safety fuels innovation, trust, and performance. Through insights, reflection, and real-time exercises, they will uncover the subtle behaviors that either invite or silence voices at work. This session goes beyond theory, offering professionals practical tools and micro-scripts to model curiosity, reduce fear, and build workplaces where candor and respect can coexist.
Whether an emerging leader, L&D professional, or seasoned manager, this session will help create a culture where people thrive, starting with self.
CRAIG FISHER
The Future is Bright: Staying Human in an AI-Driven World of Work
Between AI headlines, economic uncertainty, and nonstop change, it’s easy for HR and talent leaders to feel like the future of work is something to fear—or simply survive. But the reality is more hopeful—and more human—than the headlines suggest.
In this session, Craig Fisher reframes today’s disruption through a practical, optimistic lens. Drawing on real-world examples, research, and lessons from his books Hiring Humans and Paint Your Store, Craig explores how organizations can embrace technology without losing empathy, purpose, or trust. Rather than treating AI as a replacement for people, this talk focuses on how human judgment, curiosity, and connection are becoming more valuable—not less.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where automation helps, where humans still matter most, and how HR leaders can confidently guide their teams forward. This is not a hype session or a doom-and-gloom warning—it’s a grounded, future-forward conversation about building resilient, human-centered workplaces in a rapidly evolving world.
Key takeaways include:
- Why “human-first” is no longer a soft skill—it’s a competitive advantage
- How to prepare teams for AI without overwhelming or alienating them
- Where HR and talent leaders should focus their time, energy, and influence next
- How to lead with optimism and clarity in moments of uncertainty
The future of work isn’t something happening to us—it’s something we still get to shape. And despite the noise, the future is bright.
DR. TONY BRIDWELL (closing keynote)
Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: Looking Beyond the Leader
To deliver a dynamic keynote titled Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: Looking Beyond the Leader, which challenges traditional leadership paradigms by embracing a balanced approach grounded in followership, culture, and learning. This transformative session provides actionable frameworks and insights to inspire immediate action while fostering long-term growth. Participants will gain practical tools to deepen client relationships, enhance performance, and build a courageous culture of learning through meaningful storytelling and value-driven principles.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cannot make the event, please let us know by noon on the Friday prior to the event by sending us an to email centexshrm@gmail.com. We can cancel your registration and issue a credit to your account. Please note, credits will not be issued after the deadline, as we pay the venue based on the number of attendees reserved - including no-shows.
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