Talent & Human Resources Summit

Registration & Pricing

Corporate Table

People, Performance, and the Future of Work

The workplace is changing, and HR is at the center of that change.

Join the Grand Rapids Chamber for the 2026 Talent & Human Resources Summit, a half-day experience designed for HR professionals, business leaders, and people leaders navigating the rapidly changing world of work.

This year’s Summit brings together leading voices to explore the issues shaping today’s workforce, from talent strategy to inclusive leadership, workplace culture, conflict management, employer brand, employee engagement, and retention.

Through engaging leadership lessons and a dynamic panel discussion, attendees will gain practical insights and strategies they can take back to their organizations and put into action.

The Summit is designed to help HR and business leaders strengthen their people strategies, build high-performing cultures, and prepare their organizations for what’s next.

SHRM Professional Development Credits are available for eligible attendees.

What You’ll Take Away

Tools for building inclusive, high-performing teams where trust, psychological safety, and accountability can thrive

Approaches for managing difficult conversations and workplace conflict with greater confidence and authenticity

Insights into employer brand and organizational culture as critical drivers of talent attraction and retention

Strategies for strengthening employee engagement, performance, and retention in a changing workforce

A deeper understanding of the evolving role of HR and how people leaders can help their organizations prepare for the future of work

Peer perspectives from experienced HR and business leaders navigating these challenges in real time

Whether you lead HR, manage people, recruit talent, shape workplace culture, or influence organizational strategy, this year’s Talent & Human Resources Summit will give you practical ideas, insights, and tools to strengthen your people strategy and prepare for what’s next.

The 2026 recipient of the

Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker Award

of inclusive Excellence

This award honors West Michigan leaders who carry forward Dr. Booker’s legacy of advocacy and community impact. This year’s recipient, Valissa Armstead, Senior Director of Belonging at Corewell Health, has led the system’s inclusion work for more than a decade.

AGENDA

7:30 a.m.     Registration, Networking, & Breakfast

8:05 a.m.     WelcomeRodney Savage, Vice President of Talent & Leadership, Grand Rapids Chamber

8:15 a.m.     Leadership Lesson – The Future Ready HR ProfessionalLisa Cooper, Founder and Chief People Officer, Cooper People Group

8:35 a.m.     Leadership Lesson – Turning Culture Commitments into Measurable Business PerformanceTina Alonzo, Vice President of Belonging, Peckham Inc.

8:55 a.m.     Fireside Chat: Strategies for Attraction, Retention and Culture in an Era of Constant ChangeRodney Savage, Vice President of Talent & Leadership, Grand Rapids Chamber

9:30 a.m.     Break

9:40 a.m.     Leadership Lesson – Navigating Conflict, Polarization, and Difficult Conversations at WorkRobert Heath Sr., CEO & Chief Vision Officer, The Legacy Leadership Consulting Group

10:00 a.m.     Leadership Lesson – Building a Workplace People Don’t Want to LeaveJan Harrington Davis, Senior Vice President of Talent Attraction, Corewell Health

10:30 a.m.     Break

10:40 a.m.     Presentation of Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker Award for Inclusive Excellence

10:55 a.m.     Leadership Lesson – Workplace Culture Strategy/Culture is the BrandJill Christensen, Jill Christensen International LLC.

11:25 a.m.     Closing RemarksRodney Savage, Vice President of Talent & Inclusion, Grand Rapids Chamber

11:30 a.m.     Adjourn

This session is eligible for 2.5 SHRM PDC. Information on claiming your credits will be sent directly to your registered email address upon completion of the program.

This session is eligible for 2.5 SHRM PDC. Information on claiming your credits will be sent directly to your registered email address upon completion of the program.

Meet our speakers

Jill Christensen

Founder and President

Jill Christensen International

Read their bio

Jan Harrington Davis, MBA, CLRP

Senior Vice President of Talent Attraction

Corewell Health

Read their bio

Robert Heath, Sr.

CEO & Chief Vision Officer

The Legacy Leadership Consulting Group

Read their bio

Lisa Cooper

President & CEO

Cooper People Group

Read their bio

Tina Alonzo

Vice President of Belonging

Peckham

Read their bio

Event Sponsors

Premier Sponsor

Event Underwriter

Executive Sponsor

Chamber Champion

Inclusion Advocate