KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Natalie Nixon
Unleashing a New Era of Human Potential
Creativity strategist and leadership advisor Natalie Nixon, PhD is “the creativity whisperer for the C-Suite” and one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World. As the founder and leader of Figure 8 Thinking, Natalie helps clients leverage creativity to more rapidly achieve business goals, spark innovation and strategize for the future of work. She has helped teams at Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Salesforce and other major companies reimagine their futures and drive innovation.
Natalie will bring a thought-provoking and unique perspective to the C2HR CON stage as she draws upon her experience living in 5 countries and her background in anthropology, fashion, academia, and dance to focus on “Unleashing a New Era of Human Potential.” She is the author of “The Creativity Leap” and has published numerous articles in Inc., Fast Company, Forbes and other publications.
Why This Topic Matters
The World Economic Forum estimates that 170 million new jobs will be created this decade, sparking the Reskilling Revolution of our workforce. But this effort will not exist in a vacuum, as businesses will continue to face rapid-fire change that creates uncertainty, uncharted challenges and unprecedented opportunities. At this moment in time, human resources is uniquely poised to have a monumental impact on the future of media, technology and entertainment. However, navigating non-stop disruption requires nimbleness and a willingness to embrace new ways of thinking about processes, productivity and performance.
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Key Take Aways
During the C2HR CON, creativity strategist Natalie Nixon, PhD, will provide a framework of actionable strategies that will help you:
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Cultivate a culture of curiosity to unlock innovative thinking, risk taking and resilience
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Design more sustainable ways to work that mitigate employee burnout and foster personal fulfillment
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Integrate applied creativity, AI and human-centric work activities into daily routines and team dynamics
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Redefine productivity KPIs to include the value of intangible assets such as creative capacity and meaningful innovation
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Establish a common vocabulary to advocate for and adopt these practices
SESSION DETAILS
The C2HR CON will feature relevant, real-world topics. In addition to the opening and closing sessions, the conference will have three breakout session which allow you to customize your C2HR CON experience by selecting the sessions that you wish to attend.​​
Session specifics coming soon.
Break Out Session # 1
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM (pick one)
The Future of Talent: People Analytics as a Strategic Compass
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In a rapidly evolving business landscape, data-driven decision making has become a cornerstone of strategic success — and HR is no exception. This session explores the transformative role of people analytics in shaping the future of human resources. From workforce planning and talent acquisition to employee engagement, retention and performance management, data enables HR leaders to identify patterns in employee behaviors, predict future developments, and optimize the return on investment (ROI) for HR initiatives. Attendees will gain practical guidance to align analytics with purpose and strategy to optimize human potential.
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Featured Speakers:
Tanmay Manohar, Vice President of Workforce Analytics, Paramount Global
Veronica Vargas, Director of Organizational Effectiveness, Cox Communications
Garret Wilson, Director of HR, Midco
Supporting Employees Through Disasters: Strategies for Resilience
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When a natural or human-caused disaster happens in a location where employees work and live, caring for impacted team members and their families is mission critical. Warner Bros. Discovery’s Jeannette Johnson, SVP of Enterprise Risk & Resilience, will draw upon real-world examples to provide key insights and practical takeaways that you can integrate into your company’s crisis and contingency plans. The session will emphasize the importance of clear communication channels, flexible work policies, and access to mental health resources. Attendees will take away actionable strategies to enhance workplace preparedness and operational continuity while ensuring employees feel supported, safe, and informed in times of crisis.
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Featured Speaker:
Jeannette Johnson, SVP of Enterprise Risk & Resilience, Warner Bros. Discovery
Break Out Session #2
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM (pick one)
Transforming Talent: The HR Approach to Upskilling and Reskilling
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In a time of accelerated change driven by digital transformation, AI, and evolving audience behaviors, the media, broadband, and entertainment sectors face urgent pressure to build agile, future-ready workforces. This dynamic panel brings together talent leaders from across the industry to discuss how organizations are building continuous learning cultures, leveraging AI and data to identify skill gaps, and designing cross-functional career pathways that foster employee retention and align with current and future business goals. Attendees will leave with a roadmap for creating dynamic talent ecosystems that can sustain growth and innovation in a constantly transforming landscape.
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Featured Speakers:
Rebecca Alimena, Senior Manager of Executive Talent Management, The Walt Disney Co.
Diana Monk, Vice President of Talent Development, Charter Communications
Amanda Newton, Director of Enterprise Skill Learning, Comcast
Deepalil Vyas, Global Head of Data & AI Sector, ZRG Partners
HR Reimagined​​​
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​​An array of disruptive forces is altering the nature of work, presenting human resources professionals with an epic opportunity to architect the human-machine workforce of the future. This session will explore how HR is harnessing AI to automate routine tasks, analyze data and ultimately transform our role in the workplace. Speakers will draw upon lessons from the field that exemplify how HR professionals in media, tech and entertainment are innovating to navigate today’s workforce realities and prepare for what’s ahead. ​​
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Featured Speakers:
Able Sun, Principal, Deloitte
Puneet Tandon, Senior Manager, Deloitte
Break Out Session #3
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM (pick one)
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Beyond the Buzz: Using AI to Empower HR
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The rise of AI and automation is reshaping every corner of the HR function—from recruitment and onboarding to talent management and learning & development. But while the potential is vast, many HR professionals still feel overwhelmed or skeptical. This dynamic, action-oriented session is designed to shift from fear and hype to help HR professionals embrace a more strategic mindset. Through real-world case studies, hands-on tools, and proven practices, attendees will explore how to leverage AI to streamline high-volume tasks, personalize employee experiences, and make smarter decisions—faster.
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Featured Speakers:
Jack Fong, A+E Global Media, VP of Technology
Michael Hunigan, VP of Product, AI, Capacity
Neil Morelli, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, AI for HR Mastermind
James Robb, Director of Learning, Cox Communications
Coffee & Convo: Practicing What We Preach​
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We all know the value of human resources, but sometimes HR professionals are like the cobbler’s shoeless children. In this session, we pause to talk about HR for HR. Participants will break into small, topic-focused discussion groups to exchange life hacks, insights and go-to resources. Grab you favorite afternoon pick-me-up from the refreshment bar and come prepared to engage with peers to discuss one of these topics:
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​Career mobility for HR professionals​
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The evolving, expanding, and increasingly complex role of HR
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Conquering change: from reorgs and mergers to layoffs
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Prioritizing our personal well-being: how do we stay resilient and set an example for others?
closing session​
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Industry HR Leaders Panel Discussion: Balancing People & Priorities​​
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​During the past few years, the evolution of human resources has been in overdrive thanks to the introduction of a hybrid workplace, a multigenerational workforce with divergent needs and expectations, rapidly advancing technologies, and dramatic shifts in employment law. How do you maintain a cohesive culture amid all of the change? What will the future of work look like and how can we prepare for it? We’ll pose these questions and more to a dynamic panel of people leaders to gain insights into the current state of HR and a preview of what’s to come.​