CHRO Fall Forum – Washington, DC

THE CHRO FALL FORUM 2025
Business & Talent Strategy in an Era of Constant Change

In a time of political polarization, regulatory uncertainty, and rapid advances in AI, senior HR leaders need more than foresight—they need real-time perspective. The CHRO Fall Forum convenes top HR executives in the heart of Washington, DC, for candid, strategic dialogue on the most pressing challenges reshaping the workplace today.

A Defining Time, A Must-Attend Event
This two-day gathering zeroes in on what matters now:

• Navigating the practical impact of policy, regulation, and labor dynamics
• Leading through organizational change and political transitions
• Collaborating effectively with CEOs and Boards
• Closing the year strong and preparing for 2026 priorities

What Sets This Forum Apart:

• Off-the-record conversations with C-suite leaders, policy experts, and government officials
• Timely insights from your CHRO peers on workforce strategy and executive leadership
• Strategic focus on real-world challenges, not just future trends

Who Should Attend:

• CHROs seeking peer connection and trusted intelligence
• Senior HR leaders in public policy, legal, and enterprise transformation roles
• Executives preparing for C-suite transitions or expanding their external influence

HRPA Members—this event is for YOU!

The Fall Forum complements our forward-looking Spring CHRO Summit with a sharp focus on today’s most urgent issues. Register today to ensure your place at this essential gathering of HR and policy leaders. If you're driving enterprise change through HR leadership, this is where you need to be.

Hotel rooms are nearly gone—reserve now or explore nearby options.

A limited number of rooms remain at the host hotel, available through July 31 or until sold out. If the block is full, we encourage you to explore nearby accommodations.

What You'll Explore in Washington

This year’s agenda zeroes in on the real-world pressures facing CHROs right now—from policy and regulation to leadership and transformation. You’ll leave with insights that inform your decisions today—and sharpen your strategy for 2026. Find agenda highlights below!

 SESSION SPOTLIGHT 

CEO Succession: The CHRO's Role in Getting It Right
Boards own the process—but CHROs shape its success or failure

CEO succession is one of the board’s most high-stakes responsibilities—and CHROs are essential partners in guiding the process. From shaping the plan to advising the board, the CHRO’s influence can make or break a successful transition. In this session, longtime CHRO Sheri Bronstein and board director Michael White unpack the findings of a joint study by HRPA and the Center for Executive Succession, offering a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what works, what fails, and how trusted CHROs help boards get it right.

 FIRESIDE CHAT 

Unlocking the Power of the CEO-CHRO Alliance: Duke Energy
The CEO-CHRO Partnership Playbook—Where Business Strategy Meets People Leadership

In today’s high-stakes environment, a strong CEO-CHRO partnership isn’t just nice to have—it’s a strategic advantage. In this candid fireside chat, Join newly appointed Duke Energy CEO Harry Sideris and CHRO Cameron McDonald in conversation with Marc Feigen for a candid fireside chat on how they keep strategy, technology, and people moving in sync at America’s largest electric utility. This session delivers hard-won lessons and practical moves to elevate HR’s impact at the highest level.

 KEYNOTE CONVERSATION 

Differing Perspectives, Shared Implications: Political Insights for CHROs
Kellyanne Conway and David Axelrod on the forces reshaping America's workforce

What happens in Washington doesn’t stay in Washington—and in an era of political uncertainty, HR leaders can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. In this unfiltered conversation, insiders Kellyanne Conway and David Axelrod bring their contrasting worldviews to a candid, cross-partisan exchange on the future of business and society.

From the ripple effects of the second Trump Administration to a Democratic party in transition, these veteran strategists will surface the key political currents CHROs must watch—and what they mean for workforce strategy, corporate risk, and executive leadership in the months ahead.

 SESSION SPOTLIGHT 

Leading the AI Shift: Strategy, Speed & Safeguards
Real-World Wins—and the Guardrails That Make Them Work

AI is here—and CHROs are leading the charge. Learn how top HR leaders are partnering across the business to pilot and scale AI initiatives with purpose and precision. Hear real-world use cases delivering measurable value, and explore the practical governance strategies companies are using to protect people, data, and brand. Then, dive into peer-to-peer roundtables to compare experiences, swap lessons learned, and walk away with actionable insights tailored to your organization’s AI journey.

 SESSION SPOTLIGHT 

Securing the CHRO Pipeline: Who Comes Next—and How to Prepare Them
Fresh Insights on Developing Tomorrow’s HR Leaders

As the CHRO role becomes more strategic, complex, and high-stakes, succession planning has never been more important. In this session, seasoned leaders and newly minted CHROs explore the realities of leadership turnover, share lessons on expanding the talent bench, and spotlight the capabilities that define today’s top candidates. Whether you're grooming a successor or planning your own transition, walk away with clear, practical steps to future-proof your HR leadership pipeline.

 SESSION SPOTLIGHT 

The New Talent Landscape: DEI, Mobility & the Future of Work
Adapting Strategy Amid Public Policy Shifts and Workforce Change

Immigration and DEI policies are evolving—and with them, the foundation of workforce strategy. In this timely discussion, leaders share how they’re responding to shifting regulations and public expectations, rethinking global talent pipelines, and future-proofing their approach to hiring, mobility, and development. Gain insight into how companies are staying compliant, inclusive, and competitive in a fast-changing environment.