As a talent acquisition director for Intel, Jennifer leads the team that assesses and implements systems configurations and processes that optimizing for the best hiring manager and candidate experience. Her team also develops infrastructure for reporting capabilities, provides data driven insights that inform leadership decisions, and implements innovative AI solutions that help Intel in attracting, hiring, and retaining the best talent. Jennifer has a BS in Mathematics and a MS in Industrial Engineering, and started her career at Intel as an Industrial Engineer in 2001. She has held a variety of strategic planning and data analytics roles at Intel and has been in talent acquisition since 2015. Prior to this role, Jennifer established strategic direction and the foundational infrastructure that ensured fair and inclusive hiring practices while adhering to local legal requirements.

She and her husband Rob live in Portland, Oregon, where they enjoy life with her two busy teenage daughters. She loves downhill skiing, mountain biking, taking her daughters on backpacking adventures in remote wilderness areas, and organizing life in spreadsheets in her spare time.

Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza is a freelance journalist and From Day One contributing editor who writes about work, the job market, and women’s experiences in the workplace. Her work has appeared in the BBC, The Washington Post, Quartz at Work, Fast Company, and Digiday’s Worklife.

Maria is a world-class executive who has been at the forefront of shaping innovative talent programs and offerings while fostering inclusive workplaces. She joined Ogilvy as Global Chief People Officer in March 2022 to reshape the employee experience to be one that is modern and inclusive. 

Prior to joining Ogilvy, Maria spent 25 years at Edelman where she held various talent leadership roles including Global Chief Talent Officer of Practices, Sectors & Clients and CTO of the U.S., Canada, and Latin America regions. While at Edelman, Maria helped architect and implement programs to facilitate talent retention, manage change, and drive employee development. This included working to enhance paid-time-off policies, increase parental leave, improve performance review and career development processes as well as creating a candidate assessment program that formalized talent acquisition processes to drive progress towards industry-leading diversity and inclusion goals. 

Maria is an expert in change management, mediation, and organizational design. She is a certified trainer of Situational Leadership® II and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. She received her SPHR certification and holds a bachelor's degree in Management from Illinois State University. 

When not at work, you can find Maria at home in Geneva, Illinois with her husband Mike, sons Aidan and Nicky and rescue puppy, Peanut. 

Roberta Richards a seasoned Global Human Resources leader with over 25 years of experience driving strategic people initiatives across global high-tech organizations. Currently serving as a Senior HR Director at Netcracker Technology, she brings nearly a decade of expertise in navigating the complexities of international workforce management. Known for a versatile and innovative approach, Roberta has led efforts in employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and cross-cultural talent acquisition. With a deep understanding of global HR dynamics, she partners with C-suite executives to align people strategies with business goals, fostering inclusive, high-performing teams across borders.

Jasmine is the Global HR Leader at Google.

As a native North Carolinian, Courtney was raised in an equitable ecosystem of urban and rural life; embracing a legacy of what it means to be Tarheel born and Tarheel bred.

As a global business leader, executive coach, consultant, speaker, and community advocate, finding his purpose in life was an incredible alarm clock; leading to his life quote “If your presence doesn’t make an impact, then your absence won’t make a difference.” Currently, he serves as the head of North America human resources and global diversity, equity, and inclusion for BASF Agricultural
Solutions.

Having worked with top-tier organizations, across multiple industries, for more than two decades, Courtney’s career has been focused on helping people and organizations unleash greater potential, innovation, and performance to deliver sustainable social and economic impact.

Curtis Brooks is the Head of Global Talent and Learning at NCR Atleos, where he leads global strategies to develop, engage, and elevate talent. He is also an ICF-accredited Executive Coach and the Executive Principal Coach at The Blueprint Executive & Professional Development Coaching Firm, partnering with professionals to overcome barriers, navigate transitions, and achieve meaningful success.

With over 20 years of experience in Talent, Learning & Development, and DEI across the Financial Services and High-Tech sectors, Curtis has held leadership roles at ChargePoint, DXC Technology, U.S. Bank, Countrywide Financial, and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Curtis holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business management from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a master’s degree in leadership & organizational development from The University of Texas at Dallas, with a focus on Executive Coaching. He is certified in Hogan Assessments, MBTI, FIRO-B, PDI 360 Coaching, and Prosci Change Management.

Driven by purpose, Curtis shares: “I exist to create spaces for people to be successful in their jobs, careers, and marriages.”

His work reflects a deep commitment to helping individuals and organizations thrive through intentional growth and authentic leadership.

Ranjith is the Senior Vice President - Corporate Human Resources at HGS.

Subadhra Sriram, an award-winning media executive and thought leader in the workforce-solutions ecosystem, is the founder and podcast host of Workforce Observer, a new online community of staffing industry professionals. With interviews of Fortune 500 and key industry executives, along with a news and link sharing portal, Workforce Observer is building an engaged connected community for the industry.  

Previously, Subadhra was Publisher & Editor at Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) the staffing industry's leading research and advisory firm. A member of SIA's executive team since 2014, Subadhra is the founder of The Staffing 100, The Staffing Stream and other leading industry channels. She was responsible for the company’s global media and digital strategy, supervising all editorial functions. Her role allowed her to oversee SIA’s content channels while creating and managing brands that strengthened SIA’s cutting edge-research.

An award-winning communications professional, Subadhra has spent the last 17 years covering the world of work.  Her editorial and writing skills coupled with her management ability has led to a quick progression from a business journalist to her current role, managing and supervising a team of people, publications and budgets worldwide. She has ridden the paper to digital transition and has produced multiple successful web properties.

Prior to SIA, Subadhra has had over 15 years of journalism experience at premier Fortune 500 publishing houses including Time Warner publications i.e. Money magazine, Business 2.0 and Fortune Small Business.  She began her career in India working for a national newsmagazine. She holds a Masters from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and a BA in English Literature and Economics from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta University.

Kathi is a Senior Vice President and Global Industry Analyst at The Josh Bersin Company, supporting clients and the market with evidence-based insights on all areas of HR, Learning, Talent, and HR Technology. Kathi has more than 20 years global experience from management consulting with IBM, PwC, and EY, and as a talent leader at McKesson and Kaiser Permanente. Most recently, Kathi led talent and workforce research at Deloitte. She is a frequent keynote speaker, author, and thought leader. Originally from Austria, Kathi has worked in Vienna, London, San Francisco, and Spain and now lives in Palo Alto, California. Her passion is to make work better and more meaningful. Kathi holds a doctoral degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Vienna, Austria.

Rebecca has been with Eightfold nearly five years (December marks the big milestone!) — first helping to build the Customer Success team, then making the jump to Marketing in 2024, where she now serves as Director of Talent-centered Transformation. Before that, she spent 20+ years in TA leadership across retail, CPG, agri-business, and restaurants, which means she understands leaders, practitioners, candidates, and vendors. She’s a connector, strategist, and storyteller who can find patterns in the chaos and cut through noise with clarity — often with a story that makes people nod along and think, “Yes, that’s exactly it.” She partners with leaders and teams to sketch out the art of the possible, spark new ideas, and turn future-focused visions into practical next steps. Outside of work, Rebecca is just as energized. You might find her off-roading in her FJ, cycling, hiking, watching hockey, or plotting elaborate murder mysteries (the fun kind — written and facilitated, not committed). She’s also a food enthusiast, traveler, bookworm, youth mentor, and proud mom of three adult kids. She grew up outside of Chicago, did
her undergrad in Seattle, spent many years in the Minneapolis area, and currently lives south of Phoenix. Her CliftonStrengths are Activator, Strategic, Futuristic, Connectedness, and Includer — a mix that explains why she’s equally at home inspiring vision, building community, and getting things moving.

Mamie Wheaton is the CFP®, CDFA®, Director of Financial Planning at LearnLux.

Jon’s background is in higher education, including designing workshops on leadership development and battling anxiety for instructors and students. His current areas of focus include teamwork and collaboration. Jon has Master’s degrees in both Rhetoric and Creative Writing and is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

Claude Silver is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she oversees people and culture for over 2,000 employees across 11 countries. Known for pioneering “emotional optimism,” Claude leads with empathy to create thriving, people-first workplace cultures. Under her leadership, VaynerX has grown exponentially, with its foundational company, VaynerMedia,
being named Adweek’s Breakthrough Media Agency of 2022. A sought-after speaker and award-winning leader, she has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, and Fast Company, inspiring others to embrace empathy as a driver of growth and transformation.