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EVOLVE 2026
TA & HR Experience:
THE RISE

A one-day, in-person conference for people-first TA & HR leaders.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM | Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria | 200 Interstate North Parkway SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 | In-person only • One day • Three tracks | SHRM & HRCI (including SPHR) recertification credits awarded in partnership with Workology

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WHY ATTEND

WHY ATTEND

EVOLVE is for the TA & HR leaders who are done with fluffy keynotes and endless dashboards. This is where we talk honestly about what you’re navigating right now: burnout, hiring freezes, restructures, new tech, Gen Z, executive pressure AND give you tools that work in real organizations, not just on slides.

What We Focus On:

  • Modern recruiting & people operations

  • Human psychology, neurodiversity & inclusion

  • AI + data literacy without overwhelm

  • Culture, retention & leadership under pressure

  • The future of work through a human-first lens

Earn up to 6 SHRM or HRCI recertification credits when you attend EVOLVE.

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☽☾ THREE PILLARS ☽☾

  • Talent & Tech

    Talent & Tech

    Hear from people doing the work: TA leaders, HR execs, practitioners, and operators, sharing what’s working, what failed, and what they’d do differently

  • People & Culture

    People & Culture

    Walk away with frameworks, scripts, and templates you can plug straight into hiring manager meetings, team huddles, and executive updates. Less inspiration, more implementation.

  • Brand & Career

    Brand & Career

    EVOLVE is intentionally mid-sized and curated. You won’t get lost in a 5,000-person expo hall. You’ll meet peers who speak your language and want to collaborate, not compete.

Vendor & Solution Provider Attendance

EVOLVE is designed primarily for in-house and agency Talent Acquisition and HR leaders.

If your company provides products or services to HR or TA teams—including software platforms, consulting agencies, or other solutions—you are required to register using a Vendor Pass.

Vendor Passes:

  • Are priced at a higher rate.

  • Are limited in quantity to ensure a practitioner-led experience and meaningful conversations.

  • Are reviewed during registration and may be reclassified if submitted under the incorrect ticket type.

Ready to join EVOLVE as a vendor attendee?

Explore Partnership Opportunities

☽☾ EVOLVE PARTNER ☽☾

AGENDA AT GLANCE

AGENDA AT GLANCE

  • Morning – Check-in, keynote & breakouts
    Midday – Lunch & connection
    Afternoon – Breakouts, panel & roundtables
    Closing – Main stage sessions & reflections

  • Brian Fink
    Opening remarks grounding the day and setting the intention for The Rise.

    Laurie Ruettimann
    Opening keynote on rebuilding trust, reclaiming your career, and leading with humanity.

    Tunji Oki, PhD (Netflix)
    TA analytics that move beyond vanity metrics to influence real business decisions.

    Panel: From Order-Taker to Strategic Partner
    Sam Del Bianco, Edward Ho, Adam Meekhof & Guests

    How TA leaders earn a strategic seat at the table using story, data, and executive language.

    Closing Main Stage Sessions (TBA)
    Future-of-work and integrative closing conversations.

    • Culture Starts Before Day One: Where Retention Really Begins

      Sarah Harris
      Culture isn’t a poster on the wall — it’s built through every interaction from offer to onboarding. This session explores how intentional pre-boarding and early employee experiences set expectations, create belonging, and drive long-term retention.

    • Modern Recruiting Operations: From Order-Taker to Strategic Partner

      Preston Sharpston
      Recruiting teams are under pressure to deliver faster while influencing smarter decisions. This session focuses on building modern recruiting operations that prioritize the right work, strengthen business partnership, and elevate TA’s strategic impact.

    • The Humanity Practice Index: Measuring What Actually Matters

      Rocki Howard
      What if humanity was measured alongside performance? Rocki introduces a practical framework for tracking equity, inclusion, and psychological safety while staying grounded in real business outcomes.

    • Gen Z at Work: Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Performance

      Dr. Andrea Mata
      As Gen Z enters the workforce, leaders are navigating new dynamics around resilience, feedback, and expectations. This session offers a grounded, science-based perspective on coaching effectively while maintaining clarity, standards, and compassion.

    • Presence Under Pressure: Leading with Calm and Credibility

      Natalie Evie
      High-stakes conversations require more than strong messaging — they require regulation and presence. Learn how to stay grounded, communicate clearly, and project calm authority when the pressure is on.

    • Compensation in a Messy Market: Designing Pay with Clarity and Equity

      Kyle Samuels
      Compensation decisions are getting harder, not simpler. This session offers a practical look at designing fair, competitive pay strategies that balance market realities, internal equity, and trust.

    • Visibility Without the Cringe: Showing Up with Intention and Impact

      Judi Fox
      Visibility doesn’t have to feel salesy to be effective. This session explores how TA and HR leaders can use platforms like LinkedIn and video to strengthen employer brand, build trust, and advance their careers authentically.

    • Modern Sourcing in an Automated World: Staying Curious and Human

      Shally Steckerl
      AI and automation are changing how talent is found, but curiosity still drives great sourcing. This session looks at modern sourcing strategies that balance technology with human insight and relationship-building.

    • Community as Strategy: Building Networks That Actually Work

      Adam Marx
      Community isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a competitive advantage. Learn how to intentionally build and nurture professional networks that support hiring goals, career growth, and long-term connection.

    • Unlocking Hidden Talent: Designing Work for Invisible Disabilities

      Dan Vasquenza
      Hidden disabilities often go unseen, yet they impact performance and belonging across organizations. This session focuses on identifying structural barriers and redesigning roles, processes, and expectations to unlock untapped talent.

☽☾ 2026 SPEAKERS ☽☾

Venue & Accomodations

We’re gathering at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria, just minutes from Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta—home to walkable restaurants, coffee spots, and local favorites.

A special room rate of $169 per night is available.
Only 20 rooms left for Wednesday/Thursday

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

LAST DAY TO BOOK:

Book at the EVOLVE Rate

  • EVOLVE is for HR leaders, TA leaders, People Ops professionals, employer brand leaders, talent tech partners, and fractional HR/TA consultants. If you influence how people are hired, developed, led, or retained—this is your room.

  • EVOLVE 2026 is in-person only in Atlanta. We’re intentionally focused on real-life connection, nervous-system-aware pacing, and conversations you simply can’t have in a chat box.

  • Yes. Attendees will receive SHRM and HRCI (including SPHR) recertification credits, awarded in partnership with Workology. Final credit hours will be published once the full agenda is finalized.

  • Programming blends modern recruiting operations, human psychology, neurodiversity and inclusion, AI + data literacy, culture building and retention, identity and communication under pressure, and the future of work through a human-first lens.

  • No. EVOLVE is intentionally nervous-system aware. We talk about burnout, layoffs, and stretched teams explicitly—and focus on a few grounded moves you can actually make, not 100 more tasks.

  • Yes. Expect curated seating, guided networking, table prompts, and roundtables designed so you don’t have to “work the room” alone. Many 2025 attendees left with new collaborators and friends.

  • All content will be recorded, and may be shared as a Digital Evolve offer in the future. 

    1. Yes. We offer discounts for organizations sending 5+ attendees, including the option to feature your team on a practitioner panel. Email: anna@yourcareerbff.com to explore group options. 

  • Think conference-casual and comfortable. You’ll be learning, moving, and connecting throughout the day. Shoes you can stand and walk in are your best friend.

  • If you have questions about attending or need additional details to share with your manager, email Anna@yourcareerbff.com and we’re happy to help.

FAQ’s

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