2026 PEER of the Year
Agenda
The PEER of the Year Awards is not just an awards ceremony. It also features some of the world's most renowned speakers and presenters who will shed light on things happening in the HR landscape.
See our full agenda, session topics, and presenters below.
2026 PEER of the Year Conference Agenda
Walt Disney Concert Hall • February 5, 2026
Welcome Remarks
Speakers:
- Brian Little, Nomination Committee Chair
- Tom Byrne, Nomination Committee Member, Gallagher
- Mike Keizur, Co-Founder, The PEER 150
Panel Presentation: Culture as Infrastructure — How Leaders Shape Performance Under Pressure
Moderator: Tammy Perkins
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Speakers:
- Leila Entezam, Neuro-Emotional Performance Coach & Author
- Neena Potenza, Chief People Officer, IKEA US
- Christy Harris, SVP & CHRO, CCC Intelligent Solutions
Culture isn’t a vibe, it’s the infrastructure of performance.
Break
Fireside Chat: Developing Cultural and Leadership Resilience
Moderator: Adele Rom, CEO & Founder, Tapestry
- Kwame Dow, Chief People & Strategy Officer, YWCA Greater Los Angeles
- Lori Carmona, CEO, YWCA Greater Los Angeles

Break
Panel Discussion: Artificial Intelligence
Moderator: Larry McAlister, Former Head of Digital Transformation & Author
- Apple Musni, Chief People Officer, REI
- Janet Clardy, SVP HR, Experian
- Laura Stanley, Chief People Officer, Who-AI

Lunch
Featured Speaker: AI’s Impact on the Employee Experience
Speaker: Xan Daniels, Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity and Employee Experience, Alight
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the workplace, but many myths surround its impact on the employee experience. In this session, we’ll challenge conventional wisdom and explore how AI can actually enhance the employee experience—what it is, what it is not, and how leaders can thoughtfully navigate AI governance.
Join this session to:
- Learn practical applications of AI for HR and people leaders
- Integrate high tech with the human touch to create a more engaging and productive employee experience
- Drive retention, productivity, and success through a total wellbeing approach

Break
Keynote: Influence — How Great Leaders Move from Ideation to Execution
Speaker: Michael Walters, CHRO, Samsung Semiconductor
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The ability to develop innovative and strategic ideas is critical. Equally important is the ability to move those ideas from concept to approval to implementation. This session explores techniques and frameworks HR leaders can use to build organizational influence and drive successful execution.
With rising expectations and expanding responsibilities, CHROs need deeper influence across the organization, within the C-suite, and across the Board. We’ll examine science-backed strategies for interpersonal power to help leaders gain alignment and “get stuff done.”
Join Michael Walters as he outlines practical steps to strengthen leadership influence and expand your toolkit for moving initiatives from proposal to execution.
This keynote will explore:
- Five considerations to maximize interpersonal influence
- Common strategies to gain alignment and drive execution
- How decisions are made — and how to strengthen your impact
- The seven bases of power and how they apply in the workplace
- Skill-building approaches that help accelerate career growth

Break
PEER of the Year Awards Ceremony
Hosted by Brian Little with award committee introductions & presentations.
Awards presented:
- Culture Creator
- HR Innovator
- Operational Excellence
- Community Impact
- Resilient Leadership