The PeopleFirst
Global Summit ’25
October 22, 2025
About the Summit
The PeopleFirst Global Summit (previously Workplace Inspiration) is a free 24-hour non-stop virtual event designed to give you the confidence, tools and options to make 2025 the year you create a truly inspiring workplace.
This unique event spans the globe – uniting us through our shared purpose to change the world by improving the world of work. As the 50+ short presentations move from Auckland to New York (local time), you will receive advice tailored to your specific region and the challenges you are currently facing.
You will leave energized, with clarity and control about your options and freedom to choose your next steps in an uncertain world. Everyone who attends will take away ways to make simple changes that have the power to transform their organisation.
More details coming soon…
Previous speakers…
What you’ll learn
The below sessions are just an appetizer of what you will learn across the 24 hour event:
- Onboarding Excellence: How early onboarding can build a positive culture and improve employee retention and performance.
- Workplace Well-being: Strategies for supporting mental health, boosting engagement, and fostering a people-first culture.
- Hybrid Work Challenges: Approaches to creating flexible, high-trust hybrid work environments that support well-being and attract talent.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): The importance of integrating DEIB into workplace culture for success.
- Leadership and Communication: The role of empathy, trust-building, and active listening in enhancing employee satisfaction and engagement.
- AI in the Workplace: How AI can boost productivity while maintaining a human-centric, trust-driven work culture.
- Psychological Safety and Inclusion: The need for psychological safety to create genuine inclusion and strengthen team collaboration.
- Employee Feedback to Action: How listening to employees and acting on feedback can lead to meaningful change and improved engagement.
- Empathy in Leadership: The critical role empathy plays in leadership, decision-making, and improving employee well-being.
Australasia Speakers
More coming soon…
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Ryan McGrory
Founder
Exsona
Australasia
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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Midnight
Ryan McGrory
Founder
Exsona
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00:30-3:00
ANZ Speakers TBC…
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3:30am
Break
Asia Speakers
More coming soon…
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Albert Villagracia
Vice-President for Human Resources
RELX | Reed Elsevier
Asia
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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4:00am
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Albert Villagracia
Vice-President for Human Resources
RELX | Reed Elsevier -
4:30am
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
TaskUs -
5:00am
TBC
Middle East & Africa Speakers
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With a career spanning over 20 years in marketing and communication, Nadia Ben Bahtane has developed proven expertise in building international brands, strong and inspiring corporate cultures, and managing public relations, particularly in fast-growing contexts.
She began her career at Microsoft in 2000, where she held several positions of responsibility. In 2005, she even received the “Microsoft Middle East Outstanding Achiever Award”. For 3 years, she was the spokesperson for the Business Software Alliance for North Africa.
She changed course in 2007 to join Western Union as Regional Marketing Manager for North Africa, and then Logica in 2010. It was in 2012 that she became Director of Brand, Engagement, and CSR at Intelcia. In 2019, she was recognized among the 30 communication professionals to follow in Africa.Nadia Ben Bahtane
Chief Brand & Engagement Officer
Intelcia -
Annepeace Alwala is at the forefront, proving that African women can lead in Artificial Intelligence and Technology at a global scale. As the Vice President for Global Service Delivery at Sama, she oversees a workforce of over 3,000 employees across Kenya and Uganda, ensuring excellence in AI-driven data solutions that power some of the world’s leading tech companies.
With deep expertise in customer experience, process design, and AI service delivery, she has mastered the art of transforming challenges into opportunities, a skill that has propelled her to lead operations across eight African countries.
Her leadership is driven by a passion for people and innovation, ensuring that AI in Africa is not just about technology but also about creating sustainable opportunities for thousands of young professionals.
Annepeace Alwala
Vice President for Global Service Delivery
Sama
Middle East & Africa
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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6:30am
Nadia Ben Bahtane
Chief Brand & Engagement Officer
IntelciaWe Dream. We Care. We Do. — The Human-Centered Culture of Intelcia
At Intelcia, we believe lasting impact begins with a culture where people come first — whether they are our collaborators, our partners, or our clients. Being named an Inspiring Workplace is more than a recognition — it’s a reflection of a daily commitment.
Guided by a clear mindset — We Dream. We Care. We Do. — we create the right conditions for everyone to grow, express themselves, innovate, and contribute to our collective success.
This talk will explore the concrete pillars of our approach: tailored development paths, a culture of dialogue and feedback, caring leadership, and a co-driven innovation culture powered by our people in the field.Because at Intelcia, inspiration isn’t top-down — it’s built together, every day.
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7:00am
Annepeace Alwala
Vice President for Global Service Delivery
SamaUnlocking Africa’s Digital Workforce – Challenges, Opportunities, and the Policy Gaps We Must Close
As the demand for AI and digital services surges globally, Africa’s young, dynamic workforce stands ready to meet it. Sama, with operations in Kenya and Uganda, is proving that the continent can deliver world-class AI data solutions while creating sustainable employment for thousands. Yet, scaling Africa’s digital workforce is not without hurdles, from infrastructure limitations and skills gaps to policy frameworks that lag behind technological change. In this talk, Annepeace Alwala, Vice President for Global Service Delivery at Sama, will explore the opportunities driving Africa’s digital rise, the challenges slowing its momentum, and the critical policy interventions needed to fully realise its potential. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to shape an inclusive, future-ready digital economy for Africa.
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7:30am
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Hanging House
Europe Speakers
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Karin Volo
CEO
Evoloshen -
Olga Chumakova is the Global Employer Brand Manager at Intellias, where she leads external corporate communications with a keen focus on Talent Marketing. Having 10 years of experience in the field of Employer Branding, Media Relations, and Internal Communications, Olga believes that a strong employer brand not only enhances brand awareness but also accelerates the hiring process, attracts top talent, and drives business success. She holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics from the Simon Kuznets National University of Kharkiv, underpinning her strategic insights and agile leadership approach in her work.
Olga Chumakova
Global Employer Branding & Communications Manager
Intellias
Europe
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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8:30am
Karin Volo
CEO
Evoloshen -
9:00am
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Blue Lagoon -
9:30am
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Eurail -
10:00am
Olga Chumakova
Global Employer Branding & Communications Manager
IntelliasMake it, don’t fake it: how real culture gets built at Intellias
At Intellias, our culture is all about people and purpose. We value honesty, curiosity, and teamwork. Every voice matters, and every idea counts. In this conversation, we’ll share how we create a space where honesty, curiosity, and teamwork thrive. We’ll talk about the choices, practices, and mindset that make our people feel valued and empowered. Real people, real purpose and a culture we grow every day.
UK & Ireland Speakers
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Katy Morrison is the Head of Culture & Performance at B-Corp Connect Three, a people and learning consultancy dedicated to helping organisations build thriving, high-performing workplaces. Specialising in leadership development, organisational culture, and inclusion, Katy works with clients across sectors to design strategies that strengthen both individual capability and collective success.
In her role, Katy leads initiatives that embed values-driven leadership, place wellbeing at the heart of performance, and create inclusive cultures where people feel empowered to contribute their best. She believes that resilient teams are built on trust, curiosity, and the consistent role modelling of inclusive behaviours.
Alongside her consultancy work, Katy serves as President of Scottish Women in Business (SWIB), where she champions the creation of a dynamic, inclusive networking space that connects and inspires women from all backgrounds. With a background in facilitation, coaching, and strategic culture change, Katy brings a practical, people-centred approach to building resilience and leading teams through change while fostering belonging and innovation.
Katy Morrison
Head of Culture & Performance, Connect Three
President, Scottish Women in Business -
Founder and CEO of The Psychological Safety Institute. Global leader in workplace culture and inclusion. Author of The Authentic Organization.
Gina Battye
CEO
Psychological Safety Institute -
Esther Bennett
Global People Leader | Chartered Member, Institute of Internal Communications
Ideagen -
Caroline Jankowska is Head of HR at Elexon and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (FCIPD) with over 20 years’ experience in HR across the Banking, Insurance and Utilities sectors. She has held a variety of generalist roles throughout her career, alongside a period specialising in employee relations. Caroline is passionate about helping organisations get the best from their people. At Elexon, she has been closely involved in work to embed a strong performance culture and to explore how HR can support wider business strategy.
Caroline Jankowska
Head of HR
Elexon -
Briony Grogan is the People and Culture Director at Pan Macmillan having joined in 2023. Previously she worked in HR roles at News UK and Waterstones. She sits on the leadership team, reporting into Joanna Prior, the CEO and looks after everything relating to people from recruitment to development to diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI is a huge passion area for Briony and at News UK she launched an ambitious diversity strategy in 2020. Briony is a Mum to two school-aged children and lives with her family in Essex. She also volunteers as a Governor to a local secondary school and sits on the board of the Friends of The Goethe-Institut UK.
Briony Grogan
Director of People & Culture
Pan Macmillan
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April Homer
Partner & Chief People Officer
Cooper Parry
UK & Ireland
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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11:30am
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Alzheimer’s Society -
12:00pm
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Visiting Angels -
12:30pm
Katy Morrison
Head of Culture & Performance, Connect Three
President, Scottish Women in BusinessCulture at Scale: Turning Growth into a Cultural Advantage
As organisations grow, culture often gets left behind. What once felt natural and connected can become fragmented, inconsistent, or diluted. At Connect Three, we believe culture shouldn’t be the casualty of growth, it should be the driver of it.
In this session, we will share how we have intentionally embedded culture into our ambitious growth plans and explore how culture, strategy, and performance can align to become a competitive advantage.
I will reveal practical approaches to creating intentional norms that stop culture from becoming accidental, including onboarding rituals, feedback mechanisms, and team practices that keep values alive as headcount expands. She’ll share how Connect Three has moved away from centralised control and instead empowered teams to live and shape the culture, using shared narratives and to create ownership and energy across the business. The session will also highlight how leadership plays a critical role in scaling culture, and we’ll show how culture can be measured and linked directly to performance, retention, and growth.
If your organisation is scaling, or aspires to, this talk will give insights and inspiration on how to make culture your strongest accelerator.
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1:00pm
Break
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2:00pm
Gina Battye
CEO
Psychological Safety InstitutePsychological Safety Isnt What You Think
Most workplaces assume psychological safety is just about speaking up. They’re wrong. It’s leading organizations down a path that doesn’t solve the challenges people and teams face every day.In this session, we’ll challenge those assumptions, dive into what psychological safety really is and explore how to create a workplace culture where everyone can truly thrive. -
2:30pm
Esther Bennett
Global People Leader | Chartered Member, Institute of Internal Communications
IdeagenCulture in Action: The Ideagen Way to Inspire, Include, and Innovate
Culture isn’t what you say—it’s what you do. At Ideagen, we believe that when you put culture into action through inspiration, inclusion and innovation, extraordinary things happen.
This session takes you inside our “culture in action” playbook: how we inspire through authentic leadership that gets personal (our CEO’s global Grand Tour), include through co-created values and employee-led change (140 colleagues in ERGs influencing board decisions), and innovate through employee passion projects that create real-world impact (apprentices building life-saving apps that will educate 18,000 young people).
We’ll share our approach that has evolved a fragmented acquisition-grown company into a unified global family of 1,840 colleagues, a culture that has ambition, adventure and community at its heart.
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3:00pm
Caroline Jankowska
Head of HR
ElexonBuilding a Performance Culture: Turning Strategy into Measurable Impact
Great cultures don’t happen by accident – they are built through intentional choices, courageous conversations, and clear measurement. At Elexon, the strategic goal to create a performance culture led to the adoption of the Support-Challenge Framework, a practical tool that helped define, measure, and strengthen the way our people work together. By applying this framework, our leaders were able to balance encouragement with accountability, making cultural progress visible and actionable. In this session we’ll share our approach and show how culture can be shaped in a clear and practical way. It will highlight lessons learned that are relevant to HR professionals and leaders who want to understand how frameworks can help people work more effectively together and how cultural change can be tracked over time.
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3:30pm
Briony Grogan
Director of People & Culture
Pan Macmillan
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4:00pm
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Pan MacMillan -
4:00pm
April Homer
Partner & Chief People Officer
Cooper Parry
Latin America Speakers
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Gustavo Tavares
LATAM Ambassador & Judge
Inspiring Workplaces
Latin America
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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5:30pm
Gustavo Tavares
LATAM Ambassador & Judge
Inspiring Workplaces
North America Speakers
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William Schirmer is a senior management professional in HR, having been involved with Human Resources, Talent Management, and Learning & Development functions for domestic and international firms over more than twenty-five years. His expertise includes creation and deployment of leadership development programs for a number of organizations. William holds USA, UK, and Global HR certifications. His undergraduate study in Political & Behavioural Sciences was completed via University of Minnesota-Mankato in the USA. William completed his Graduate Degrees in Human Resource Management via Fort Hays State University in the USA and Social Sciences via the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
William Schirmer
Chief Human Resource Officer
United Federal Credit Union -
Enza Falzone joined Vestacon as Director of Human Resources in April 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in business and HR, including years of success as an entrepreneur. Though formally new to the team, Enza has been connected to Vestacon since 2009 and hit the ground running, leading transformative HR initiatives from day one.
Within her first year, she oversaw key staffing transitions, onboarded dozens of new employees across Toronto and Vancouver, revamped HR policies and manuals, and played a lead role in securing Vestacon’s 2024 – 2025 and our 2025 – 2026 Great Place to Work certification with an outstanding 98% of employees saying this is a great place to work. Enza is also focused on building future talent pipelines through post-secondary partnerships, co-op student placement opportunities, and has established the Vestacon Scholarship Award at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Her priorities include regularly reviewing benefits to ensure employee wellness offerings remain current and competitive, promoting from within the company before hiring externally, and driving strategies to retain and engage top talent. Passionate about people and culture, Enza is committed to positioning Vestacon as an employer of choice.
Enza Falzone
Director of Human Resources
Vestacon Limited -
Julie Zabizewski has been with Vestacon since 2010 and currently serves as Vice President of Strategy. With a background in architectural science and construction project management, as well as an Executive MBA from the Smith School of Business, Julie leads company-wide initiatives that span strategic planning, business development, innovation, and corporate culture.
Over the past 15+ years, Julie has helped guide Vestacon’s evolution from a growing construction firm to an industry-recognized leader in construction management and general contracting. Her role has included driving sustainability and ESG efforts, developing award-winning submissions, overseeing digital transformation projects, and shaping Vestacon’s long-term growth strategy, including expansion into new markets.
Julie is also deeply engaged in industry and community initiatives, serving on the board of directors for the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC), and leading Vestacon’s involvement in charitable partnerships, scholarship programs, and equity-focused outreach. She is passionate about empowering teams, building inclusive spaces, and keeping people at the heart of every business decision.
Julie Zabizewski
Vice President of Strategy
Vestacon Limited -
With a vibrant smile and a relentless work ethic, Laura Cooke, CEO of Positive Foundry, is determined to reshape the future of well-being in the United States by imparting the knowledge and skills necessary for thriving in life. Positive Foundry is a pioneering training and development company dedicated exclusively to promoting human flourishing on a large scale.
Cooke was trained at the Institute for Positive Education in Australia and the Flourishing Institute. She holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at The University of Michigan and a BA in Business from Wittenberg University. She is also a devoted wife to Chris and a mother to four daughters.
Laura Cooke
CEO
Positive Foundry -
Dawn is chief human resources officer at TRIMEDX. She brings over 20 years of experience and leads TRIMEDX’s human capital strategy, including talent acquisition, compensation, talent development, organization development, culture, and associate engagement. Throughout her career, Dawn has been focused on global private equity companies in automotive, life sciences, and health care. Prior to joining TRIMEDX in 2016, Dawn served in executive roles at Envigo, Harlan Laboratories, and Remy International. She is a board member for The Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana and for AAMI Foundation. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.
Dawn Griffin
Chief Human Resources Officer
Trimedex -
Cal Rolle is a strategist, DEIB champion, and Canadian HR award winner with over 15 years of experience shaping cultures where people thrive. A Bahamian Canadian, he has driven systemic change in corporate environments, notably at Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., where his leadership earned the company recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2025. Cal also achieved significant progress in DEIB, with NNCI’s inclusion score reaching 87%, placing it among the world’s most inclusive workplaces.
Cal has led initiatives supporting women in leadership and expanded Employee Resource Groups, while driving impactful national programs like the DEIB Book Club and Truth & Reconciliation Event. He earned Novo Nordisk’s highest internal honor, the 2024 Apis Award, for his tireless work in shaping a thriving, inclusive culture.
His influence extends beyond Novo Nordisk, having founded the international DEIB Committee at Sunwing Vacations Group and contributing to organizations like Junior Achievement of Canada, TIFF, and Advancing Black Talent in Pharma. A Young Influencer named by Canadian HR Reporter, Cal holds certifications from top universities and continues to shape the DEIB landscape.
Outside work, Cal enjoys cycling, concerts, and beach time with family, and has appeared in commercials in Canada and The Bahamas. His leadership continues to uplift others, proving true leadership is about fostering belonging.
Cal Rolle
DEIB & Culture, Associate Director
Novo Nordisk Canada
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Dan Riley
Co-Founder
RADICL -
Jacob Sarasohn leads the marketing and communications strategy for Royal Ambulance, one of California’s most recognized healthcare and workforce development companies. He drives brand expansion and strategic initiatives that strengthen Royal’s market position, elevate its reputation as an employer of choice, and deepen partnerships with leading healthcare systems. He also oversees internal communication for a workforce of more than one thousand team members, building systems that keep people informed, connected, and aligned across roles, shifts, and locations.Jacob Sarasohn
Director of Marketing and Communications
Royal Ambulance
North America
The times listed below are in Greenwich Mean Time (London).
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7:00pm
William Schirmer
Chief Human Resource Officer
United Federal Credit UnionThe Importance of Servant Leadership to Healthy, Productive Working Cultures
Servant Leadership, effectively applied, can help support both organizational results and a fulfilling work environment for team members. Our discussion will focus on what Servant Leadership is – and is not – including identifying common Servant Leadership characteristics and best practices.
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7:30pm
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Tricon Residential -
8:00pm
Enza Falzone
Director of Human Resources
Vestacon LimitedJulie Zabizewski
Vice President of Strategy
Vestacon LimitedCulture as a Competitive Advantage: HR Lessons from the Hard Hat World
In an industry defined by tight timelines, complex logistics, and constant pressure to deliver, how do you prioritize people? This session explores how a mid-sized construction management firm redefined its approach to culture, placing purpose, psychological safety, and shared values at the forefront without compromising operational success. Construction isn’t typically at the top of people’s minds when discussing progressive people practices, but it should be. By breaking down silos between field and office teams, investing in employee growth, and embedding belonging into everyday workflows, Vestacon has built more than just workspaces; we’ve built a unified, empowered workforce. Learn practical strategies to embed belonging into your workflows, retain talent in a competitive market, and lead with empathy in traditionally rigid environments.
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8:30pm
Laura Cooke
CEO
Positive Foundry -
9:00pm
Dawn Griffin
Chief Human Resources Officer
Trimedex -
9:30pm
A talk from Inspiring Workplace Winner…
Wurzak Hotel Group -
10:00pm
Cal Rolle
DEIB & Culture, Associate Director
Novo Nordisk Canada
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10:30pm
Dan Riley
Co-Founder
RADICL -
11:00pm
Jacob Sarasohn
Director of Marketing and Communications
Royal AmbulanceStop Treating Internal Communication Like an Afterthought: How Structured, Intentional Communication Builds a People-First Culture
Internal communication is not just a channel for updates. It is the infrastructure your culture runs on. In most organizations, it is reactive, under-resourced, and lacks clear ownership.It needs the same care and focus as external marketing. The same segmentation. The same voice and clarity. The same belief, that what you say and how you say it shapes behavior. If you would not send it to a customer, why send it to your team?
Treating internal communication as a core function creates clarity, alignment, and retention. At Royal Ambulance, where more than a thousand team members work across shifts, departments, and locations, internal communication has become the system that keeps people informed, connected, and moving in sync. If you want to build a strong culture, stop treating internal communication like an afterthought.
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Midnight
Close