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With a steadfast focus on transformation and leadership, Dan Hutchinson has forged a successful career spanning multiple industries and geographies, including energy, steel manufacturing, retail, and management consultancy. A strong believer in empowering individuals and helping them reach their full potential while facilitating enriching life experiences, he has consistently prioritized the well-being and development of others.

Currently entrusted with the responsibility of leading HR within Schneider’s UK&I Zone, Hutchinson is spearheading efforts to harmonise business growth objectives with a transformative cultural shift. His mission is to ensure the flourishing of the workforce amidst this exciting phase of expansion and change.

Kate Williams is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion (DE&I) at Publicis Groupe UK. With a background as the former associate director of the workplace team at LGBT+ charity Stonewall, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. As the head of diversity and inclusion, Kate is responsible for driving diversity initiatives across Publicis Groupe’s agencies and the wider industry.

To support her efforts, Kate works closely with diversity and inclusion champions to develop and implement strategies that foster a more diverse and inclusive culture, enabling employees to thrive.
Kate’s journey in the field of diversity and inclusion began at Stonewall in 2013, where she started as the head of empowerment programs. Her dedication and success led to her promotion to head of private sector memberships, and later to the position of associate director of the workplace team in August of the previous year. During her time at Stonewall, Kate provided guidance and counsel to companies worldwide, assisting them in developing and implementing effective diversity and inclusion strategies and policies.

With her specialist skills and extensive experience in collaborating with clients across various sectors, Kate is well-equipped to augment and deliver Publicis Groupe’s plans for fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. Through her passion and expertise, she strives to create a workplace culture that embraces diversity, empowers individuals, and promotes the success and well-being of all employees.

Kim Dabbs is a distinguished professional serving as the Global Vice President of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) & Social Innovation at Steelcase. With a strong focus on fostering belonging and purpose, she has emerged as a prominent leader in this field. Kim possesses a diverse range of expertise as a thought leader, cultural researcher, author, and speaker.

Throughout her career, Kim has spearheaded numerous social impact, innovation, and education initiatives on a global scale. Her work has made a profound impact in diverse communities across the world. Kim’s contributions extend beyond her professional role, as she actively engages in presenting her insights on belonging and purpose at prestigious events and venues. Her speaking engagements include prominent platforms such as TEDx, MIT, the Guggenheim, the Aspen Institute, and The Drucker Forum.

With her deep knowledge and experience in driving social innovation, Kim Dabbs continues to inspire and shape conversations around belonging and purpose, making a positive difference in organizations and communities worldwide.

Dr. Tamara Friedrich is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Warwick Business School. She received her MS (2007) and PhD (2010) in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma, and her BA (2005) in Psychology and Managerial Studies from Rice University.

Her primary research interests fall into the broad categories of creativity and leadership, however much of her recent research falls into the intersection of these two areas. For instance, she has studied how organisational leaders may initiate, support, and sustain innovative efforts through hiring, performance management, and creating a climate for creativity.

Rajkarn Kaur Anand, Associate Director of Leadership Development at Novo Nordisk, is an unwavering advocate for Learning and Development (L&D). With an insatiable curiosity, she delves into the intricacies of effective learning, constantly seeking ways to enhance organisational value.

With nearly two decades of L&D experience, Rajkarn’s journey spans diverse roles—assessing development needs, designing impactful programs, facilitating learning, and coaching individuals and teams to realize their potential. Her dynamic approach has made her an indispensable asset in creating a talent-driven culture. At the heart of Rajkarn’s professional ethos is a deep commitment to cultivating exceptional leadership. As the torchbearer for the development of Novo Nordisk’s senior-most leaders, she orchestrates visionary strategies that fuel personal and professional growth. Her unwavering dedication has earned her a prominent place within the organisation, where she diligently crafts a roadmap for leadership excellence.

Beyond the boardroom, Rajkarn’s passion for learning is a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of her personal life. United by a shared devotion to learning, she and her like-minded partner engage in spirited discussions on L&D that captivate the dinner table (much to the bemusement of their children). An avid explorer of innovative apps, she harnesses technology to unlock new dimensions of learning.”

* Disclaimer: The insights and perspectives shared by Rajkarn Kaur Anand in her engagements are based on her personal experiences and learnings in the field of Learning and Development (L&D). These views are solely her own and do not represent the official stance or opinions of her employer, Novo Nordisk. Any information, ideas, or opinions expressed by Rajkarn are independent of her affiliation with the organisation.

Rudolph Wontumi is a distinguished HR leader known for his remarkable career accomplishments across diverse industries. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President HR & Corporate Services at JCB International (Europe), Rudolph has successfully navigated through roles in management consulting, HR consulting, hospitality, and financial services. His expertise lies in crafting impactful HR strategies that drive business results, fostering a culture of excellence, and enhancing talent development. Rudolph’s visionary leadership has led to positive cultural transformations, increased retention rates, and a steadfast belief in the power of coaching to unlock individual and team potential. Rudolph Wontumi stands as a testament to the potential for HR professionals to transcend boundaries, reshape cultures, and champion organisational success.

Lene Trollnes is an experienced professional in HR, business, and project management on a global scale. As SVP Director Portfolio & Strategy at Norsk Hydro, Lene brings extensive expertise and a proven track record of success. With a comprehensive understanding of HR at all organisational levels, both locally and globally, Lene excels in navigating complex challenges and driving organisational success. Her focus on diversity and inclusion, backed by an accredited certification, has led to the creation of inclusive workplaces that celebrate individuality and foster growth.

Lene’s leadership extends to board experience, including a nearly two-year tenure as chairman of a prominent Norwegian plant. She has also played a key role in project management, successfully leading the integration of two large global companies.

Agata Olempiejuk-Combaz is a seasoned HR leader, with a strong focus on talent management & acquisition, learning & development, and organizational design. As the VP HR for Technical Operations at Ipsen, she brings extensive expertise and a proven track record of success in these HR critical areas within multicultural and matrix environments. With a background rooted in HR within the pharmaceutical sector and business school education, Agata understands the importance of attracting and nurturing top talent and of putting in place sustainable organizations at global and local levels. She excels in implementing talent management strategies to identify and develop high-potential individuals. Agata’s deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry allows her to align talent acquisition efforts with business objectives, ensuring the right individuals join the team to drive success.

Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, Agata is committed to fostering a culture of development within her teams. She spearheads learning and development initiatives, leveraging innovative approaches and technologies to enhance employee skills and capabilities. Agata’s dedication to empowering individuals through mentoring/coaching and professional growth creates a dynamic and engaged workforce. Finally, she collaborates with cross-functional teams to align talent strategies with business goals, fostering a cohesive and high-performing workforce across departments.

Jan is a seasoned HR Evangelist, Researcher & Consultant at SDWorx and the University of Antwerp. He consults our clients on “future of work”, occasionally teaches and is a well-known speaker on the topic. He co-ordinates the research on “Next Generation Work” conducted by Prof Dr. Ans De Vos in the partnership with Antwerp management School. He’s particularly interested in the costs and benefits of contingent work and is looking for answers to the question: “why do companies compose their workforce as they do?”

Dr. Dieter Veldsman is an organizational psychologist with a passion for HR. He has over 15+ years of experience across the HR value chain
and lifecycle, having worked for and consulted with various multi-national corporations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. He has held the positions
of CHRO, Organizational Effectiveness Executive, and Organizational Design and Development Principal. He is a regular speaker at
international conferences and industry panels on Strategic HR, Future of Work, and Organisational Development. He co-hosts a monthly
podcast called “HR Hot Topics” that discusses actual events impacting the world of HR and interviews leading HR Practitioners as part of his
HR Dialogues Videocast series.

He is passionate about the development of the profession and guest lectures at various institutions while also holding the position of Senior
Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. He has contributed to 50+ peer-reviewed articles, blogs and book chapters on the
Future of Work and HR, Organizational Development and Employee Experience.

He was awarded the CHRO of the year title by the CHRO Society of South Africa for 2021 and has been recognized in the categories of HR
Strategy and Leadership, HR Technology, and HR Innovation by various institutions. He was recognized as the Practitioner of the Year by the
Society of Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa in 2018.

Currently, Dr Dieter Veldsman forms part of the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR) as an HR and OD Thought Leader working towards the
continuous upskilling of 100 000 HR professionals by 2025. He is responsible for applied research, product development and engagement
with our member community that spans more than 15 000 students across 140 countries and working with our clients to reposition their HR
functions for the future.