Brandon Hall Group Prepared to Host 2026 HCM Excellence Conference Next Week

Premier gathering of HR, Learning, and Talent thought leaders features HCM Excellence Award winners sharing practical strategies and proven success stories

West Palm Beach, FL, Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brandon Hall Group™ is prepared to host the 2026 HCM Excellence Conference next week, February 9-12, 2026, at the Hilton West Palm Beach. This premier event brings together thought leaders in Human Resources, Learning and Development, and Talent Management for four days of transformative learning, networking, and strategic insight.

The conference features an exceptional lineup of speakers—all HCM Excellence Award winners—who will share practical advice and proven success stories from their organizations. Attendees will gain actionable insights from practitioners who have achieved measurable results in talent development, learning innovation, and organizational transformation.

"Something fundamental has shifted since our conference last year. The uncertainty and ambiguity around AI and transformation is now fading. Organizations have enough clarity to move with purpose instead of hesitation. Distinct layers of readiness have fully emerged, and the early pioneers are now showing tangible outcomes, creating a visible roadmap others can follow," said Mike Cooke, Brandon Hall Group CEO. "This year is the time where everyone can level up, because the path forward is clearer and proven. The real opportunity now is not about 'discovering AI,' but about accelerating along that maturity curve with intent, confidence and evidence."

A highlight of the conference is the HCM Excellence Awards Gala on Wednesday, February 11, celebrating the outstanding achievements of organizations and practitioners who have demonstrated excellence in human capital management. The evening features dinner, live music, and an exciting DJ afterparty where attendees can celebrate with industry leaders and this year's exceptional winners.

Conference speakers include:

Alexandra Hyland, Global Head of Learning Strategy & Transformation, Kraft Heinz
Alyson Gilleland, Vice President of Arrow Exterminators, Arrow Exterminators
Amanda Archer, Director, Learning Experience, Advocate Health
Amy Happ, Director, Leadership Development and Professional Skills | Learning & Effectiveness, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
Andrew Lawrence, Vice President of Team Member Development, University of Maryland Medical System
Anthony Lewis, Vice President, People Development & Inclusion, Universal Music Group
Ashok Seetharaman, Vice President & Head- Human Resources, USA, Tata Consultancy Services
Bernard Hampton, Managing Director, Head of the Academy, Bank of America
Bob Gerard, Learning Ingenuity Lead, Accenture
Carolina Cardoso, Americas I&D Strategic Partners & Learning, Leadership Development Lead, Accenture
Christian Wachter, Co-CEO, Scheer IMC
Christina Castelli, Measurement and Operations Senior Manager, Accenture
Christina Putman Elms, Director, Learning & Development – Property Management, Greystar
Christopher Lawson, SVP, Head of Global Talent Management and Inclusion, Rakuten
Connie White, Chief People Officer, Altos Labs
Courtney Deimel, Vice President of Product and Innovation, Chronus
D. Todd Harrison Ed.D., Vice President, Global Leadership Academies, GE HealthCare
Dana Jones, Executive Director Learning & Leadership Development, Regeneron
Daniel Owens, Director, Client Solutions, Valence
David Chestnut, Principal Director, Talent Strategy & Agentic Reinvention, Accenture
David Forry, SVP, Principal Analyst, Brandon Hall Group
David Wentworth, Managing Director of Learning and Talent, Brandon Hall Group
Derek Bruce, Chief Learning & Knowledge Officer, Easygenerator
Devin Bigoness, Chief Client Officer and Executive Director, UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning
Donna Gupton, Vice President, Talent Development, AARP
Dr. Ashwin Mehta, Founder and Director, Mehtadology
Dr. Dominik Rus, Global Head of Learning & Development Innovation and Technology, TTEC
Dr. Luz Longsworth, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Resort International
Dr. Marline C. Duroseau, Managing Director of Leadership and HR Strategy, Brandon Hall Group
Edward Hutner, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, Deltek
Elisa DePolo O'Brien, Vice President, Learning & Development, Global Retirement & Insurance, Prudential Financial
Emily Craig, Senior Learning Designer, SiyonaTech
Gina Montefusco, Sr. Director Culture and Strategic Initiatives, UnitedHealth Group
Heather Truesdale, Senior Talent Development Specialist, GAF
James Spearing, Chief Learning Officer and Vice President of Global Learning, Scotiabank
Jivko Kirov, Head of Sales & Partner Training, HP
Joe DiFilippo, SVP & Head of Strategic Growth, BTS
John Land, Chief Advocacy Officer, Vantage Circle
Josh Shadrick, Senior Vice President, BTS
Juli Masi, VP, Customer Solutions & Professional Services, Ignis AI
Karla Martinez, Global Vice President, Talent Pipeline Management, Pfizer
Kathy Varley, Head of L&D and Talent, Catapult
Kelly Stuart-Johnson, Global Head of Learning, VML
Kimberly Williams, Chairperson and CEO, Absorb Software
Lan Tran, Director of Learning Design and Technology, McDonalds
Laura Hoppa, Culture Strategist, TiER1 Performance
Lauren Hodges, Co-Founder, Performance on Purpose
Lisa Brefini, Senior Director of Customer Experience, NovoEd
Lisa Calicchio, Chief Human Resources Officer, WCG Clinical
Mahesh Kumar, Managing Director, TraineryHCM
Mandi Rollerson, Senior Manager, Learning and Development, Pfizer
Marquita Williams, Executive Director | Organizational Learning & Development, AdventHealth
Maximilian Duke, Vice President, Station Strategy & Development, PBS
Meredith Jackson, Organizational Development Specialist, McKee Foods Corporation
Michael Cohen, General Manager of Metrics That Matter, Explorance
Michael Rochelle, Chief Strategy Officer, Brandon Hall Group
Mike Cooke, CEO of Brandon Hall Group, Brandon Hall Group
Mike McGrath, Sr. Director, Strategy and Operations, Medical Excellence, Bristol Myers Squibb
Mike Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer, The Regis Company
Monika Mikiciuk, Senior Director, Sales Training, Empower
Nicole Dalichau, Leadership Strategist and Facilitator, TiER1 Performance
Olivier Servelle, Director, Training Management Solutions, Training Orchestra
Rachel Bolton, Leadership Development Executive, Former VP, Enterprise Leadership Development, Stanley Black & Decker
Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Hall Group
Radhika Paul, Chief Executive Officer, LuminAI Consulting
Rebecca Warren, Sr. Director, Talent-centered Transformation, eightfold
Rhys Goulbourn, Solutions Consultant, NovoEd
Richard Caccavale, VP of Marketing, NovoEd
Rick Cheatham, Senior Vice President, BTS
Rita Care, Senior Director, Talent Development, CIBC
Robert Szostak, Director of Customer Solutions, VPS
Ronda Bazley Moore, Chief Talent and Culture Officer, Aptiv
Roselyn Cason-Marcus, Global Director, Senior Talent Attraction and Affinity, McKinsey
Ryan Austin, Founder & CEO, Cognota
Sana AlDaoumi, Senior Vice President, Human Capital, EDGE Group
Sandy Dilley, Manager, Learning and Development, Quality Academy, Harman International
Sara Cavallucci, Director Training, Development and Customer Service, GS1
Sarah Vita, Chief Talent Officer, Equitable Advisors
Selena McLaughlin, SVP, Chief People Organization – Global Leaders Sponsorship Strategy & Program, Bank of America
Sharifa Austin, Sr. Director People Development & Organizational Effectiveness, Universal Music Group
Spandan Mahapatra, AI & Data Leader, Americas, Tata Consultancy Services
Taryn Davino, Senior Director, BTS
Taylor Williams, Manager of Corporate Training, Haskell
Tim Williams, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Money Management Institute
Tom Proschek, Manager: Cybersecurity Policy & Awareness, Trinity Health
Tomissa Smittendorf, Sr. Director, Commercial Capabilities, Kellanova
Tracie Akers, Chief People Officer, Metronet
Tracy Reitz, Executive Vice President, Client Operations, Caduceus Health
Valerie Gamble, Head, RD Capabilities, Learning & Development, Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.
Yigal Rosen, PhD, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Ignis AI

The conference is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Absorb, BTS, UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning, V2X, Training Orchestra, SiyonaTech, TiER1 Performance, NovoEd, Litmos, Eightfold.ai, The Regis Company, Mentorcliq, Vantage Circle, Chronus, Cognota, Explorance, Easygenerator, TraineryHCM, Ignis AI, Valence, Scheer IMC, UKG, Sweetrush, Docebo, Insightful, and Enthral.ai.

For more information about the 2026 HCM Excellence Conference, including registration details and the full agenda, visit https://excellenceconference.brandonhall.com/.

About Brandon Hall Group™

Brandon Hall Group™ is a pioneering force in Human Capital Management (HCM), driving innovation and excellence for over three decades. Founded in 1993, we've evolved into a multifaceted HCM ecosystem, delivering cutting-edge insights, practical solutions, and transformative services across the entire spectrum of human capital strategies.

Our innovative blend of research, learning, and advisory services has empowered over 10,000,000 professionals globally. The Brandon Hall Group Institute™ is where cutting-edge insights meet practical application, driving real-world results. From engaging courses to immersive experiences, we're not just about incremental improvements—we're about transformative shifts. Our HCM Excellence Awards® showcase game-changing practices. Join us in shaping the future of work, where talent doesn't just grow—it thrives.

David Forry
Brandon Hall Group
5613538082
David.forry@brandonhall.com

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