Data informs. People transform. That's the future of HR.

In Part 3 of HR Fresh Take’s special series, The Future of HR: Beyond Tech, recorded live at the 2026 Philly SHRM Symposium, host Dr. Jo continues the conversation with her guests, Samantha Bussard, Chief Talent Officer at Compass Business Solutions, Kristi Straw, Founder of Lighthouse Leadership Consultants, and Jennifer McSherry, Senior Vice President and Client Advisor with Lockton Companies, to explore how HR is changing in a rapidly evolving workplace.

From AI and data to trust, empathy, and experiential leadership, we discuss people-centered leadership, business impact, data-informed decisions, and the power skills HR professionals need to create workplaces where people can thrive.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

AI may be the buzzword, but people are still the heartbeat of work.

In Part 2 of HR Fresh Take’s special series, The Future of HR: Beyond Tech, recorded live at the Philly SHRM Symposium, host Dr. Jo Vazquez continues the conversation on what modern HR requires in a workplace evolving at rapid speed. This episode looks beyond technology to examine how HR professionals can lead with strategy, empathy, courage, and a people-first mindset.

Dr. Jo is joined by Gregory Offner, keynote speaker and author of The Tip Jar Culture; Dr. Anna Thomas, founder of Workplaces That Care; Christopher Reidenauer, CEO of Inspired 2 Results; and Catherine Priem, Senior HR business partner at Baker Tilly and past president of Philly SHRM. Together, they discuss the role of HR in balancing productivity with humanity, using AI responsibly, supporting employee wellbeing, strengthening workplace culture, and helping people grow through meaningful work.

Listeners will hear practical perspectives on why modern HR is not defined by tools alone, but by the ability to build trust, steward culture, create space for connection, and advocate for the people who power every organization. Whether you are navigating change, exploring AI adoption, or looking for ways to make your workplace more human-centered, this conversation offers timely insights for HR leaders across the Philadelphia region and beyond.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Human resources is no longer just a support function. It is a strategic driver of organizational success. Today's HR leaders are expected to deliver results that balance people, performance, and broader business outcomes.

In this special multi-part series, The Future of HR - Beyond Tech, recorded live at the 2026 Philly SHRM Symposium, we'll explore what it really means to practice modern HR in a workplace that's evolving faster than ever. Looking beyond AI and technology, the series offers a candid discussion of how HR professionals can expand their influence, lead with both strategy and humanity, and keep people at the center of every decision.

In this first installment of the series, we'll talk with Corey Crapella, owner and Principal Consultant of Core Coaching and Consulting, and Melissa Sherry, owner and Principal Consultant of Workswell Consulting. We'll discuss people-centered leadership, thoughtful technology adoption, authenticity, and the evolving role of HR as a bridge between employees and business strategy.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Menopause and perimenopause are one of the most overlooked workplace issues. What employees are experiencing often gets misread as performance issues, poor attendance, or “burnout,”.

For this episode, we’re taking a bit of a detour from our usual format to bring you a conversation from the Take a Pause with MenoPalz Podcast for which I was honored to be a guest. We’ll discuss how symptoms can affect the mid-career professional and how HR can lead with confidence, credibility, and care.

We'll also talk about how to equip managers to have respectful conversations, build accommodation readiness, and create a culture where employees don’t have to suffer in silence.

Thank you to MenoPalz founders, Deborah McCarthy and Raquel Riggle, and Mare Krammes, as well as fellow PA SHRM State Council colleague, Angela Hummel for being a part of this joint podcast.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Think the Federal Reserve only deals with interest rates? Think again.

In this episode, we sit down with experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to reveal little‑known but powerful tools designed to support workforce and economic mobility. Deborah Diamond and Theresa Dunne break down two resources that can help HR professionals rethink talent pipelines, skills‑based hiring, and local economic impact.
Discover how "Eds & Meds" shape Philadelphia’s workforce and why understanding your region’s economic ecosystem is critical for strategic HR planning. A must‑listen for HR and business leaders seeking data‑driven insight.

To learn more about the tools discussed, visit:
PhiladelphiaFed.org/OME
PhiladelphiaFed.org/AnchorEconomy

More about our guests:

Deborah Diamond

As the senior director of engagement and initiatives, Deborah and her team develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in the Third District to better understand how economic conditions affect residents, workers, and small businesses. She also focuses on the “anchor economy” locally and nationally to understand how universities and hospitals shape local economic opportunity.

Theresa Dunne

Theresa Dunne is a community development research analyst in the Community Development and Regional Outreach Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Her research interests lie at the intersection of community development and public health. Currently, she works on topics related to digital equity and device access, equitable wealth in the city of Philadelphia, and the broad economic impacts of anchor institutions on regional economies.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In this courageous and eye-opening episode of HR Fresh Take, host Dr. Jo sits down with survivor, advocate, and author Dr. Jennifer Gardella to explore how domestic violence—often considered a private issue—profoundly impacts the workplace. From emotional trauma to legal and financial barriers, Dr. Gardella shares her personal journey and offers actionable insights for HR professionals and organizational leaders.

Listeners will learn:

• The hidden costs of domestic violence on employee well-being and productivity
• The importance of psychologically safe environments and trauma-informed policies
• What coworkers and leaders can say (and avoid saying) to support survivors
• How organizations can partner with local resources and offer meaningful accommodations

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building compassionate, inclusive, and resilient workplaces.

Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive content related to domestic violence. Please listen with care.

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to your local domestic violence center or call the National Domestic violence hotline at 800-799-SAFE.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

We’re kicking off our 4th season by talking about neurodiversity in the workplace—what it means, why it matters, and how HR leaders can foster truly inclusive environments.

Joining the discussion are Laura Sibbald McAnulty, Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network (NENPHL); Joseph Riddle, Director of Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW), and Alberta Blum, Lead Executive Talent Partner for Radian.

We’ll discuss hiring, team dynamics, accommodations, and the power of universal design as well as how small shifts in culture and communication can benefit everyone.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In our final installment of our series, HR and Age of AI Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests examine the dual impact of AI on mental health. Highlighting both the benefits and challenges it presents.

We also discussed building cultures of care and the role of AI as a tool to enhance workplace practices.

Special Thanks to our Contributors:

Scott J Prendergast is a Professional Speaker, Certified Coach, Author,
College Professor and Mental Health Advocate based in Philadelphia, PA
and owner of Scotty P Inspiration LLC. A graduate of Temple University,
Scott speaks about the importance of acknowledging mental health in
society, and encourages techniques to overcome the everyday mental
obstacles that hold us back in life.

Danny Goldberg is a Workplace Culture Expert, acclaimed speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur who helps organizations navigate today’s most urgent workplace challenges. With a focus on building future-proof teams that are resilient, adaptable, and free from burnout, Danny empowers leaders to create cultures of engagement, innovation, and connection.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org