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Forward
Upskilling & Performance in the Age of AI
September 10, 2025
Forward is Proudly Sponsored by:
Employee development is at a tipping point.
By 2027, nearly half of all workplace skills will be disrupted (World Economic Forum). Yet today’s teams, and the managers who support them, are under-equipped and overextended.
Workplace transformation is accelerating.
AI is redefining growth, performance, and leadership.
HR and L&D are at the forefront of this change.
That’s why Forward is an event you can’t miss.
This one-day virtual event will give HR and L&D leaders a clear look at how AI is being used to close skills gaps, strengthen business performance, and build more agile teams.
You’ll hear what’s working, where to start, and how to lead with clarity through rapid change.
Actionable, hands-on, interactive, virtual
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how leading companies are using AI to build smarter, stronger teams.
Learn proven strategies to solving today’s toughest upskilling and capability-building challenges.
Get hands-on with frameworks, tools, and tactics that translate directly to your team.
Hear from leaders across industries
Agenda
Agenda
1:00pm ET - 1:35pm ET 10:00am - 10:35am PT
Beyond the Hype: How AI is Driving Workforce Transformation Today
Dr. Markus Bernhardt
Tom Griffiths
1:40pm - 2:10pm ET 10:40am - 11:10am PT
Upskilling & Performance Reimagined in the AI Era
Barbra Gago
Mendy Slaton
Sharon Arad
Rea Rotholz
2:15pm ET - 2:45pm ET 11:15am - 11:45am PT
The New Rules of Leadership Development
What does it take to lead in today’s multi-generational, tech-driven workplace? From authenticity and curiosity to the art of storytelling, Lauren and Tom explore the new rules of leadership — and how to design development programs that help leaders thrive in times of rapid change.
Lauren Tropeano
Tom Griffiths
2:50pm ET - 3:15pm ET 11:50am - 12:15pm PT
Leading Through the AI Fog: Building Manager-Led Cultures of Adaptability
Nicolle Merrill
3:15pm - 3:25pm ET | 12:15pm - 12:25pm PT
Break
3:25pm - 3:40pm ET 12:25pm - 12:40pm PT
Exclusive Preview: Hone's New AI-Powered Learning Experiences
Tom Griffiths
Rea Rotholz
3:40pm - 4:10pm ET 12:40pm - 1:10pm PT
How HR Can Be a Strategic Catalyst for Driving Change
Change is only as good as its execution. Learn how HR and L&D can lead the way, shaping cultures that embrace transformation, aligning stakeholders, and enabling adoption across teams. Expect candid stories, proven strategies, and hard-earned lessons from real-world successes (and a few missteps).
Al Dea
Satu Salminen
Zaina Orbai
Jerremy Howell
4:15pm - 5:00pm ET 1:15pm - 2:00pm PT
Roles to Capabilities: Designing Skills Strategies that Thrive with AI
What are the human skills AI can’t replace, and how do you build them at scale? In this fireside chat, Darren Nerland, Head of Global Leadership & Talent Development at Amazon, will unpack the irreplaceable human skills for today’s workplace and a proven framework for shifting from static roles to dynamic capabilities. You’ll learn how to design a skills ecosystem for the AI era and hear how Darren is putting it into practice at Amazon.
Darren Nerland
Tom Griffiths
1:00pm ET - 1:35pm ET | 10:00am – 10:35am PT
Beyond the Hype: How AI is Driving Workforce Transformation Today
AI is everywhere but what’s real and what’s just noise? This session cuts through the buzzwords to reveal the shifts truly transforming work. Discover the “Two-Wave Transformation” model, learn how to spot the deep undercurrents driving change, and leave with three essential questions every leader should ask before adopting new tech.
Dr. Markus Bernhardt
Principal, Endeavor Intelligence
Tom Griffiths
CEO & Co-Founder, Hone
1:40pm - 2:10pm ET | 10:40am – 11:10am PT
Upskilling & Performance Reimagined in the AI Era
Barbra Gago
CEO & Founder, Pando
Mendy Slaton
Senior Director, People Operations, Total Rewards, and Workplace Experience, Lattice
Sharon Arad
Head of People & Organizational Development, Plaid
Rea Rotholz
Senior Director of Learning Solutions, Hone
2:15pm ET - 2:45pm ET | 11:15am – 11:45am PT
The New Rules of Leadership Development
Lauren Tropeano
Chief People Officer, Docebo
Tom Griffiths
CEO & Co-Founder, Hone
2:50pm ET - 3:15pm ET | 11:50am – 12:15pm PT
Leading Through the AI Fog: Building Manager-Led Cultures of Adaptability
Nicolle Merrill
CEO / AI Adoption Strategist, Boring AI
3:15pm - 3:25pm ET | 12:15pm - 12:25pm PT
Break
3:25pm - 3:40pm ET | 12:25pm - 12:40pm PT
Exclusive Preview: Hone's New AI-Powered Learning Experiences
Tom Griffiths
CEO & Co-Founder, Hone
Rea Rotholz
Senior Director of Learning Solutions, Hone
3:45pm - 4:15pm ET | 12:45pm – 1:15pm PT
How HR Can Be a Strategic Catalyst for Driving Change
Al Dea
Founder, The Edge of Work
Satu Salminen
AI HR Transformation Lead, ZoomInfo
Zaina Orbai
Partner, Zaina Orbai LLC & Former CPO, The RealReal
Jerremy Howell
Chief People Officer, Barkley OKRP
4:20pm - 5:00pm ET | 1:20pm – 2:00pm PT
Roles to Capabilities: Designing Skills Strategies that Thrive with AI
What are the human skills AI can’t replace, and how do you build them at scale? In this fireside chat, Darren Nerland, Head of Global Leadership & Talent Development at Amazon, will unpack the irreplaceable human skills for today’s workplace and a proven framework for shifting from static roles to dynamic capabilities. You’ll learn how to design a skills ecosystem for the AI era and hear how Darren is putting it into practice at Amazon.
Darren Nerland
Head of Global Leadership & Talent Development, ECommerce, IT Services, Amazon
Tom Griffiths
CEO & Co-Founder, Hone
Frequently asked questions
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Join us on September 10!
The future of performance starts now. Learn how HR and L&D leaders are using AI to unlock growth, close skill gaps, and prepare for what’s next.
