What is the HR Innovation Roundtable?

A powerful closed-door workshop bringing together 50 HR executives from leading global
brands for intimate discussions about specific challenges and transferable solutions.

Agenda:

June 18th, 2025

8 AM - 8:40 AM | Breakfast, Networking and opening remarks

Arrival Reception & Welcome

About:

For more than 80 years, Mastercard has worked to connect and power an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Mastercard Incorporated is a technology company in the global payments industry, comprised of over 35,000 global employees.

Join us at Mastercard’s NYC Tech Hub, which fosters a collaborative environment for creating systems that never fail, ensuring continuous service for a world that never stops. While contributing to Mastercard’s global impact, the NYC Tech Hub also strengthens the local community by forging partnerships, fostering businesses, and collaborating with educators, governments, and community groups.

8:40 - 9:30 AM | Opening Keynote

Talent Strategy in the Age of AI: What Leaders Need to Know

SPEAKERs:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

AI and data are reshaping industries, so talent strategies must follow suit. In this session, leaders from Mastercard will break down how they’re evolving their approach to attracting, developing, and upskilling their people to ensure their workforce is ready to use AI to their full advantage.

• How Mastercard is redesigning its talent strategy to attract and retain AI-ready talent in a rapidly evolving digital landscape

• Practical approaches to upskilling and reskilling employees to harness the power of AI and stay competitive

• Insights on integrating AI and data into workforce planning to drive smarter decision-making and future-proof your organization

9:30 - 10:40 AM | SESSION #1

How to Unlock the Full Potential of the Workforce Ecosystem through GenAI

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

In an increasingly competitive business environment, HR leaders are tasked with the pivotal challenge of transforming their organizations into skills-based entities. This transformation requires a strategic approach to leveraging talent, technology, and learning and development (L&D) to attract and retain next-generation talent. The challenge lies in accurately identifying the skills that will be essential in the future, implementing effective training programs, and integrating advanced technologies to facilitate continuous learning. Ignoring this transformation can lead to a widening skills gap, reduced innovation, and a decline in competitive advantage. Conversely, successfully becoming a skills-based organization can result in a dynamic, innovative, and future-ready workforce, driving long-term success and growth.

• Identifying Future-Critical Skills Effectively: Discover proven methods for recognizing and nurturing the skills that will be essential for your organization's future success

• Integrating Technology into L&D Strategies: Learn how to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance learning and development initiatives, driving innovation and growth

• Cultivating a Continuous Learning Culture: Explore best practices for fostering an environment that supports ongoing skill development and lifelong learning.

11 AM - 12:10 PM | SESSION #2

Human-Centered Leadership: How to Create the New Social Contract Between Employees and Employers

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

As the workplace evolves, establishing a new social contract between employees and employers is crucial for fostering trust, engagement, and mutual growth. HR leaders are tasked with the challenge of redefining leadership to focus on human-centered values that meet contemporary workforce expectations. Failure to adapt could lead to employee dissatisfaction, increased turnover, and a decline in organizational performance. Conversely, getting it right can enhance loyalty, motivation, and productivity. This panel will delve into strategies for developing a new social contract that prioritizes transparency, collaboration, and continuous development.

• Crafting a Modern Social Contract: Learn how to develop a social contract that emphasizes transparency, mutual respect, and shared growth, aligning with the values of today’s workforce

• Promoting Collaboration and Inclusion: Discover ways to cultivate an inclusive workplace that encourages collaboration, leverages diverse perspectives, and fosters a sense of belonging among all employees

• Evaluating Impact and Success: Explore methods to measure the effectiveness of the new social contract on employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational performance

1:10 - 1:40 PM | AFTERNOON Keynote

The CHRO Playbook: Getting Off to a Strong Start

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

To succeed in the first 100 days, CHROs must approach their new role with clarity, intention, and a strategic mindset. It’s a crucial period for building trust, aligning with the CEO and leadership team, and setting the tone for what HR will deliver. CHROs need to assess the organization’s current capabilities, identify where HR can drive the most value, and shape a vision for how talent, culture, and leadership will evolve. This means not only forming strong relationships with key stakeholders but also evaluating the HR team, defining a clear agenda, and beginning to influence the broader culture from day one.

• How to set a strategic foundation in your first 100 days by aligning with leadership and defining HR’s impact on the business

• How to evaluate and shape your HR team to ensure it’s positioned to meet current and future organizational needs

• How to influence company culture early by modeling key behaviors and building credibility through action and communication

1:40 - 2:50 PM | SESSION 3

AI is Changing Every Part of HR—and Every Role in the Company

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

As generative AI continues to reshape the business landscape, building an effective HR strategy that incorporates this technology within the first year is crucial for staying competitive. HR leaders face the challenge of seamlessly integrating generative AI to optimize HR functions, enhance employee experiences, and drive strategic decision-making. Failure to do so could lead to missed opportunities, inefficiencies, and a disengaged workforce. Conversely, successfully leveraging generative AI can result in streamlined operations, improved talent management, and a more innovative and agile organization. This panel will provide insights and practical guidance on developing a robust HR strategy that maximizes the potential of generative AI from the outset.

• Effective AI Integration: Learn how to integrate generative AI into HR processes, ensuring smooth adoption and immediate impact on efficiency and effectiveness

• Strategic Decision-Making with AI: Understand how to utilize generative AI for data-driven insights that improve decision-making and align HR initiatives with organizational goals

• AI-Powered Talent Management: Discover how generative AI can enhance recruitment, employee development, and retention strategies, leading to a more engaged and skilled workforce

3:10 - 4:20 PM | cLOSING kEYNOTE

How Employee Experience is Propelling Workplace Transformation in 2025

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

The emphasis on creating human-centered teams is more critical than ever for driving workplace transformation. HR leaders face the challenge of enhancing employee experience in a way that promotes well-being, engagement, and productivity. Failure to address this challenge could lead to disengagement, high turnover rates, and a decline in organizational performance. However, successfully enhancing employee experience can result in a more motivated, innovative, and resilient workforce. This panel will explore strategies for fostering human-centered teams, leveraging technology to improve employee experience, and measuring the impact of these initiatives on organizational success.

• Building Human-Centered Teams: Learn strategies for creating and sustaining teams that prioritize employee well-being, collaboration, and a sense of belonging

• Leveraging Technology to Enhance Employee Experience: Discover how to utilize advanced HR technologies to personalize employee experiences, streamline communication, and boost engagement

• Assessing Impact and Performance: Gain insights into evaluating the success of employee experience initiatives and their direct impact on organizational performance, productivity, and employee satisfaction

4:20 - 4:50 PM | cLOSING kEYNOTE

Building a Data-Driven, Experience-Centric Powerhouse for People Practices

PanelistS:

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

​In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) must transform their organizations into data-driven, experience-centric powerhouses to stay competitive. This involves integrating advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) into HR functions to enhance decision-making, improve employee experiences, and align HR strategies with overarching business objectives. By fostering a culture that values data and continuously iterates on HR processes, organizations can create scalable and sustainable people practices that drive meaningful outcomes.​

• Building an Integrated Data Platform: Learn how to develop a comprehensive data infrastructure that supports scalable HR functions and leverages AI for enhanced decision-making

• Aligning HR with Business Transformation: Understand strategies to connect HR processes with critical business outcomes, ensuring that talent management contributes directly to organizational success

• Creating Scalable Employee Experiences: Discover methods to design and implement employee experiences that are both personalized and scalable, fostering engagement and satisfaction across the workforce

17:00 - 19:00 PM

Networking & Evening Drinks

Get to know your esteemed peers over some hors d'oeuvres and deliciously prepared cocktails. The Tech Hub fosters a collaborative environment for creating systems that never fail, ensuring continuous service for a world that never stops. While contributing to Mastercard’s global impact, the NYC Tech Hub also strengthens the local community by forging partnerships, fostering businesses, and collaborating with educators, governments, and community groups. This commitment to technology leadership and community advancement makes the Tech Hub a vital part of both Mastercard and New York City.

Apply to Attend

Please fill out your details in the form below.

We reserve the right to reject any registrations if your role is to provide HR services, products, or consultancy offerings.
The HR Leaders Innovation Roundtable is strictly reserved for Executive level HR Practitioners (both generalists & specialists).

Why Should You Attend the Innovation Roundtable?

Members

Hosted at Mastercard’s NYC Tech Hub

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