Dear HR Strategy Forum Community,

As we look ahead to 2026, I’m excited to share what promises to be a defining year for the HR Strategy Forum—one intentionally designed to challenge thinking, deepen connection, and create experiences you won’t want to miss.

In 2026, we are reimagining how HRSF brings HR leaders together. You will see refreshed formats and a renewed focus on curated experiences—designed to spark insight, elevate strategic impact, and strengthen the relationships that make our community distinctive.

Our 2026 Theme: People Strategies for Successful AI Implementation

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done, and its influence will only accelerate. Yet realizing AI’s potential requires more than experimentation with new tools—it demands deliberate transformation of work, roles, skills, and culture. This transformation places people at the center and positions HR leaders as critical architects of change.

Throughout 2026, HRSF will focus on equipping HR leaders with the frameworks, insights, and guardrails needed to lead responsible, people-centered AI adoption. Our programming is designed to support HR leaders as strategic advisors—helping organizations integrate AI in ways that are effective, ethical, and aligned with both business and human outcomes.

2026 Programming Highlights

AI Collaboratory

The AI Collaboratory is a year-long learning and working experience for HR leaders ready to move from conversation to action. Participants will collaborate with AI experts, leading academics, and senior HR peers to co-create a practical roadmap addressing the people considerations essential to responsible AI-enabled transformation.

Innovation Hours

These one-hour, highly curated learning sessions spotlight how HR leaders are advancing people-centered AI adoption in real organizations. Innovation Hours focus not only on technology, but on the change management, governance, and experience design required to embed AI responsibly and sustainably.

Think & Talk Sessions

Think & Talk sessions are informal, peer-to-peer conversations designed for candid dialogue around the challenges HR leaders are navigating right now. These sessions offer real-time benchmarking, shared problem-solving, and space to strengthen HR’s role as an organizational change agent.

Thought Leader Sessions

Featuring leading academics, consultants, and HR visionaries, Thought Leader Sessions explore the evolving role of HR in an AI-enabled workplace. Speakers will address people-centered AI integration, ethical utilization, and the capabilities HR leaders need to reimagine their impact.

Networking Events

Our Networking Events are intentionally designed to go beyond traditional networking. These curated experiences bring HR leaders together to build relationships, exchange insights, and strengthen the community that is essential for meaningful, sustainable change—integrating learning objectives and thoughtful sponsor engagement along the way.

I am excited about the year ahead and confident that our 2026 programs will inspire your thinking, expand your perspective, and support your organizational impact. I look forward to connecting with you and learning together as we shape the future of HR.

Warm regards,

Shreya Sarkar, Ph.D.

Board Chair, HR Strategy Forum