With 12 sessions and 25 speakers, there was a mountain of knowledge shared during the 2022 C2HR CON. For this article, we went straight to the attendees to identify their favorite aha moments. In addition to checking out the key insights below, we invite you to visit the C2HR CON Photo Gallery for pics of attendees and speakers.

PIVOTING WITH PURPOSE

Speaker:

Lisa Sun, Founder & CEO, Gravitas

“Own your moment.”

“Your life story is your leadership story--powerful!”

 

EMBRACING THE EMPLOYEE OF THE FUTURE

Speakers:

John Kovac, SVP. Brand/Marketing/Creative, Cox Enterprises Dr. Vinod Vincent, Asst. Professor of Management, Clayton State University Fang Xu, Head, Talent Acquisition & Diversity, A+E Networks Rebecca Zambrana, VP, HR, INSP

“Love Fang Xu’s statement about the importance of balancing authenticity with aspirational efforts in your employee engagement.”

“Great advice to look more closely at job postings and provide a hook of inspiration.”

“Encourage storytellers across your organization to be your employment brand advocate. Great advice to aid recruiting and retention, John Kovac.”

“They want the unicorn, but sometimes we can only give them the 3-legged horse. So true!”

 

CULTIVATING COURAGE: REFRAME RESULTS TO COMPEL ACTION 

Speaker:

Lisa Sun, Founder & CEO, Gravitas

On the value of being authentic and vulnerable: “Yes, Lisa! I’ve definitely had situations where I felt very seen when our leaders share their mistakes/fears/challenges. It makes them relatable and helps us to express our own struggles.”

 

A BRAVE NEW WORLD: VIRTUAL ONBOARDING 

Speakers:

Chad Prosser, Senior Program Manager, Cox Communications Chance Cassidy, VP, Employee Service Center, Charter Communications

“I love Chad's message: People don't stay with companies, people stay with managers! Wonderful pearl of wisdom, we have heard this before, but it is always a great reminder!

“Love the visual of going from a fire hose to a water fountain in terms of new employee communications.”

 

CULTIVATING AN INNOVATIVE CULTURE & ENGAGED WORKFORCE

Speakers:

Stephen Lee, VP, EMEA Portfolio Strategy & Innovation, Warner Bros. Discovery Irene Scardia, Senior Manager, EMEA Innovation & Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery

​“Loved the real-world examples of companies using Workplace to improve engagement.”

“Seeing how you rolled out Spark Innovation in phases was very helpful!”

 

THE IMPACT OF PAY TRANSPARENCY

Speakers:

Angela Conklin, SVP, HR, Vyve Mark Konkel, Partner, Kelley Drye Kam Wong, SVP, Fair Employment Practices, NBCUniversal

“Great gem: We need to normalize the topic of compensation.”

“The law around remote positions is very confusing. Thx for some clarity!”

 

INNOVATING TALENT ACQUISITION & DEVELOPMENT THROUGH AI

Speakers:

Chris Hester, Senior Director, Talent & Learning Solutions, Comcast

“All AI strategic priorities should be mapped back to a portion of the Employee Value Proposition.”

“I really like the advice to focus on the entire employee journey.”

 

THE GREAT REIMAGINATION

Speakers:

John Brownridge, Principal, Human Capital, Deloitte Consulting Karen Weisz, Managing Director, Human Capital, Deloitte Consulting

“Workers have more power and more choices than ever and organizations must meet them where they are, deliver value, and provide an exceptional workforce experience that meets their diverse needs.”

Several attendees noted their love for this quote:

CRISIS MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS

Speakers:

Paul Homer, Senior Director, Employee Relations, ESPN Abby Veillette, Director, Human Resources, ESPN

“Employee communications should be authoritative, sympathetic and transparent.”

“Your messenger needs to earn trust and establish credibility before the crisis or announcement of change.”

 

DEBUNKING BURNOUT MYTHS

Speakers:

Erayna Sargent, Founder, Hooky Wellness

“Love the work hard, self-care harder motto!”

“Toxic positivity is dangerous and real!”

 

ADVANCING DEIJ BEYOND WORDS TO MEANINGFUL IMPACT

Speakers:

Matthew Harrison, SVP, Talent & Development & DEI, Jackson Healthcare Erin Mitchell Richeson, VP, Inclusion & Diversity, Cox Enterprises Melanie Miller, Inclusion Strategist, Melanie Miller & Associates Mari Sifo, Managing Partner, Talent Management Consultants

​“It’s so refreshing to hear of leaders being vulnerable and talking about their mistakes.”

“It’s so important to have a “check your bias” person!”

 

THE CONVERGENCE OF CHANGE, CULTURE & INNOVATION

Speakers:

Sissy Rajan Abraham, VP, Effectv Tech Platform, Comcast Nicole Helprin, SVP, People Development, Paramount Rachel Kay, VP, Talent & Strategic Development, Hearst Kia Painter, EVP & Chief People Officer, Cox Communications Ravena Valentine, SVP, People Partner Team, A+E Networks

“Celebrate wins—it’s so important!”

“Focus on performance vs. cheeks ins seats.”

“HR has been in first responder mode since March 2020. Add more fun and levity to work whenever you can.”

“In HR, the interruptions are the job.”

“Thanks for recommending The Morning Brew as an aggregator news source for all things HR.”

“Look at everything as a win or learn situation.”

“Give each other grace.”

 

For a curated collection of articles on all of the topics covered furing the 2022 C2HR CON, please visit the HR Knowledge Center at HR Knowledge Center - C2HR.