Bennett Porter, Chief of Staff, Calm

Bennett Porter currently serves as Chief of Staff at Calm an app to help you sleep more, stress less and live mindfully. She is also a Board Member and Advisor to start-ups where she uses her experience in past marketing leadership roles to help companies build new categories.  

Prior to her current role, she led marketing at Calm and was the Chief Marketing Officer of energy start-up Booster Energy. She was also the SVP of Marketing Communications at SurveyMonkey and served in various leadership roles at Yahoo!. Porter was at Yahoo! for over a decade during the formative time at the company and the Internet. She worked as the VP of Marketing for Yahoo!’s Emerging Markets practice, overseeing the marketing functions in Southeast Asia, South America, India, the Middle East and Africa. She also managed the Yahoo! Buzz Marketing team, developing many of the company's most famous award-winning marketing programs. Prior to that, she worked at Ogilvy and MS&L in New York City.

Chris Aisenbrey, Chief Human Resources Officer, Raymond James Financial

In his role as CHRO, Chris leads all human resources functions including talent acquisition, talent development, associate experience and engagement, executive compensation & total rewards, employment practices, HR technology, and workforce planning to ensure human capital strategies align with the firm’s culture and growth. Chris is also a member of the firm’s Executive Leadership Team. Prior to his current role, Chris was Senior Vice President of Organization and Talent Development where he was responsible for talent development, training, associate experience, assessment and employee engagement. He also served as the Chair of the SIFMA Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council.

Prior to Raymond James, Chris held senior HR leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies. He was Group Director of Talent Management & Leadership Development at The Coca-Cola Company for their North America business, as well as the Bottling Investments Group. Prior to Chris’ nine years at Coca-Cola, he served as Director, Global Talent Acquisition and University Relations at Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Chris began his career at McKinsey & Company where he held leadership roles within recruiting and professional (consultant) development.

Chris serves on the Board of Directors and is a member of the Governance Committee of Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT), whose missions is to inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive and succeed.

Chris holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from New School University (New York City) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Ithaca (NY) College.

Deb Myers, Chief People Officer, Newfold Digital

Erin King, Chief Colleague Officer, The Baldwin Group

Erin joined The Baldwin Group as Chief Colleague Officer in July 2020. She brings 25 years of experience in human resources from a Fortune 100 organization. As Chief Colleague Officer, Erin oversees human capital functions and is responsible for driving organizational effectiveness and fostering The Baldwin Group’s powered by people culture. She has a passion for cultivating environments that focus on providing exceptional customer experiences to meet organizational goals.

Prior to joining The Baldwin Group, Erin began her career at Publix Super Markets, Inc. in 1990, where she held several senior leadership roles within human resources and developed strategic systems and functions related to talent sourcing and development, leadership, and learning development, performance management, and total rewards. She has in-depth experience with organizational development and planning, change management, succession planning, and culture sustainment strategies.

Gary Schick, SVP, CHRO, Jabil

Gary Schick was named SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Jabil in October 2023. In this role, he leads an organization of more than 1,600 employees across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Gary has more than 26 years of experience in Human Resources and Labor Relations.

Gary joined Jabil in August 2018 as a Sr. Director, Human Resources, serving as the HR Business Partner for Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain. He was promoted to Vice President, HR Operations in June 2021. In 2022, he assumed leadership responsibilities as Vice President of HR for the EMS segment with overall HR accountability for U.S., LATAM, and EME Operations.

Prior to joining Jabil, Gary held HR leadership roles at Alcoa, Honeywell, and Gerdau. As the Vice President of Human Resources for Gerdau Long Steel North America, Gary led the HR strategy for the Mills, Downstream, and Metallics operations in North America. In addition, he served as the labor relations lead and chief labor negotiator for all GLN.

He holds his BA degree in Economics from Northwestern University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Kiersten Burstiner, Chief Human Resource Officer, AmeriLife

As AmeriLife’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Kiersten Burstiner furthers AmeriLife’s people programs by redefining and scaling talent and service delivery strategies to support and enable our rapid and significant growth.

Kiersten is responsible for developing and executing all areas of human capital and human resource management, including talent acquisition, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, total rewards, succession planning, training and talent development, DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), employee relations and HR technology.

Kiersten brings more than 20 years’ experience aligning individuals and business strategies to AmeriLife. Prior to joining the company in 2021, Kiersten held multiple human resources leadership roles, including leading talent for Deloitte Consulting’s U.S. Industry & Enabling Area practices.

Kiersten is a member the Atlanta CHRO governing body and Chief, a private membership network connecting and supporting women executive leaders.

Mark Panciera, Chief Executive Officer Emeritus, The Pacific Institute

Mark Panciera is an accomplished business owner, community leader, executive and entrepreneur. As the CEO Emeritus and Partner of The Pacific Institute, Mark focuses his efforts on driving human performance in organizations, teams, and individuals, working with Fortune 1,000 companies, financial institutions, government agencies, healthcare and educational systems, athletic teams, and non-profit organizations.

A well-recognized TED Talk presenter, speaker, and author, Panciera is frequently asked to share his insights and experience. He has appeared on ABC’s Wall Street Journal Report, CNBC, and CBC (Canadian Broadcast Company). Additionally, he is a trusted media resource and has been quoted in Forbes, the New York Times, the Miami Herald, and the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, with featured articles appearing in USA Today and Inc. Magazine.

With a strong commitment to community service Mark has been the recipient of numerous recognitions and awards for his exemplary service to many groups and causes.

Mark earned a BA in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and an MBA from Florida Atlantic University.

Melissa Circelli, Chief Human Resource Officer, Fidelity National Financial

Building on more than 25 years of experience leading and managing human resources for several companies, Melissa joined FNF in 2022 and assumed responsibilities related to human resources, benefits, talent acquisition, employee onboarding and relations, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.

Prior to joining FNF, Melissa held human resource leadership positions with Cigna, Volvo Commercial Finance and Fortegra Financial, and most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Black Knight Financial Services.

Raman Bukkapatnam, EVP & CIO, Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Raman is responsible for leading the Marriott Vacation Worldwide’s global technology strategy, transformation, and modernization. He is a strategic leader with over 25 years of experience in technology consulting, retail, consumer products, manufacturing, media, and supply chain. Raman’s background includes foundational enterprise platforms, digital customer experience solutions, vendor partnership strategies, change management, enterprise architecture, cloud migration, data engineering, integrations, automation and more.

Before joining Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Raman was Vice President of Global Technology at Nike, Inc., where he reshaped digital retail, advanced enterprise resource planning and supply chain platforms, and drove productivity, growth, and margin improvements. He led Nike’s migration to a cloud-based ERP for greater scale and efficiency and oversaw retail store technology, sustainability initiatives, and digital connectivity with factories and suppliers.

Previously, Raman spent over 20 years at Starbucks in multiple leadership roles, most recently as Global Vice President. He oversaw global supply chain and finance technologies, data engineering and analytics, and store development. He also spearheaded key digital transformations, including the launch of Starbucks’ customer mobile applications.

Rick Cardenas, President & CEO, Darden Restaurants

Rick Cardenas became President and Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants on May 30, 2022. A 35-year veteran of the company, who began his career with Darden as a busser, Rick was unanimously elected by Darden's Board of Directors in December 2021 to become the company's fourth CEO.

Rick moved from the restaurants to Darden's restaurant support center in 1992 as an Auditor. He left the company in 1998 to work for management consulting firms Bain & Company and the Parthenon Group. He worked across a range of industries, including restaurants, in multiple areas such as M&A due diligence, portfolio strategy and more.

Rick returned to Darden in 2001 as Director of Corporate Development. Over the next 14 years, he held increasingly more responsible positions including, Director of Finance and Technology for Seasons 52, Vice President of Finance and Assistant Controller for Olive Garden, Senior Vice President of Finance and Controller for LongHorn Steakhouse, Senior Vice President of Finance and Controller for Red Lobster, and Executive Vice President of Operations for LongHorn Steakhouse.

In July 2015, Rick became Darden's Chief Strategy Officer, then progressed to serve as Chief Financial Officer in March 2016. He returned to Operations to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2021 before being promoted to his current role.

Rick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Florida with bachelor's degrees in both Finance and Accounting. He earned an MBA from The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College and is a Certified Public Accountant. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Tractor Supply Company.

Sandra Rosa, Chief Human Resource Officer, Syniverse

In this pivotal role, Ms. Rosa guides the organization’s global HR team and partners with senior leadership to develop and execute Syniverse’s people and culture strategy. This role encompasses organizational development, human resources, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Rosa comes with an extensive background in the financial and banking sector. Most recently, she served as CHRO and Executive Vice President at Santander Consumer USA. Ms. Rosa has a proven track record in HR business partnering, organizational design and talent development, strategic partnership and planning, DEI, talent acquisition, and business transformation.

Ms. Rosa holds a bachelor’s degree in human services and psychology from Judson University. She is on the national board of directors for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and is the 2024 chair-elect for The Concilio, a Dallas-based nonprofit dedicated to building stronger communities by unlocking opportunities for Latino families.

Sarah King, Chief People Officer, Darden Restaurants

Sarah King serves as Darden’s Chief People Officer. A member of Darden’s Executive Team, she leads the execution of Darden’s people strategy as well as building organizational capability and employee culture to further enable Darden’s growth. She is also responsible for all aspects of the HR functions within Darden, including oversight of the HR organizations within each of Darden’s operating companies.

Prior to joining Darden in 2017, Sarah spent 19 years with Wyndham Worldwide Corporation where she worked closely with operators and executive leaders to execute successful people initiatives around the world. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources for Wyndham Vacation Ownership. In this role, Sarah was responsible for developing and rolling out the company’s people strategy, which focused on enhancing the culture to attract, engage and retain top talent.

A native of New Zealand, Sarah studied communications at the Auckland University of Technology.

Sean Radford, Global Deputy CPO & North America CPO, Aon

Sean Radford is the Global Deputy Chief People Officer and North America Chief People Officer at Aon, a leading global firm specializing in risk, retirement, and health solutions. He oversees the people organization across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific, focusing on talent strategy and colleague engagement.

Previously, Sean was Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at HALO and held HR leadership roles at CNA. He has experience in sales, operations and P&L leadership at Fortune 500 companies. Sean is committed to inclusive cultures and serves on the AIDS Foundation Chicago board. He holds degrees from UC Santa Barbara and Northwestern University.

Stacey King, Chief Human Resources Officer, Stellar

Stacey brings over 20 years of experience in talent management, training, development, corporate recruiting, and strategic human resources planning to her new leadership role. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Boston University and working as a reporter, she discovered her true calling in Human Resources within the hospitality industry.

Joining Stellar in 2019 as a Human Resources Manager, Stacey's dedication and expertise quickly drove her to Vice President of Human Resources in 2020. As the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Stellar, Stacey now oversees all aspects of Human Resources, including retention and recruiting, training and career development, and employee engagement initiatives. This demonstrates her commitment to nurturing a thriving and engaged workforce at Stellar.

Stacey Wynn, VP Consulting Services, Talent Management, Right Management

Stacey brings over 20 years of leadership experience in Fortune 500 business operations and 10+ years of professional coaching across various industries, including healthcare, financial services, technology, and defense. Known for her results-driven coaching style, she helps clients navigate organizational change, enhance employee engagement, and develop leadership potential. Stacey’s coaching philosophy emphasizes authenticity, accountability, and impactful results, guiding leaders through transformative conversations using talent assessments and knowledge-based techniques.

Prior to joining Right Management, she held leadership roles at Voya Financial, managing technical teams and overseeing a $4B pension payroll business. Stacey holds a BS in Economics, an MDIV, and multiple coaching certifications.

Terri Lewis, Chief People Officer, One Call

As Chief People Officer, Terri Lewis oversees One Call’s human resources department for its more than 2,000 employees, which includes a strong mix of both new talent and seasoned professionals who have been with the company for many years.

Lewis’ HR career spans more than 25 years. For the prior nine years, she has been based in Jacksonville, most recently serving as senior vice president of global human resources for Pontoon Solutions, a global HR outsourcing company specializing in improving an organization’s talent. While at Pontoon, she is credited with creating a people-centric organization, attracting and developing the best talent, and positioning the company as a leading ‘Great Place to Work.’

Prior to Pontoon, Lewis served in various HR leadership positions for companies such as PSS World Medical (now McKesson Corporation), CHEP USA (A Brambles Company) and General Electric. She is the recipient of a variety of notable industry and community awards, including the HRO Today HR Superstar Award (2017, 2018, 2019) and the National Diversity Council Glass Ceiling Award (2016). Lewis is also active in her community – she sits on the board of advisors for Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s annual challenge event and Changing Homelessness and is a graduate of and volunteer for Leadership Jacksonville. Lewis received her Master of Human Resources Management from the University of South Carolina and her Bachelor of Science in Business Management/HR from Clemson University.

Traci McCready, Principal/Partner People Advisory Services, EY Global Consulting Services

Traci McCready is a seasoned Human Resources leader and consultant with over 25 years of experience in enhancing organizational performance across multiple industries, including TMT, power and utilities, and oil and gas. She has held executive HR roles and contributed to major corporate restructuring and change management initiatives.

McCready has served as CHRO for Fortune 100 companies, overseeing human capital strategies, HR restructuring, talent acquisition, and learning and development capabilities.

She has led significant cost-saving initiatives, including a $28 million annual savings through HR function assessments, and managed HR for a $3 billion utility carve-out involving bankruptcy emergence and operational setup.

McCready designed and implemented new organizational structures, change management frameworks, and training programs such as a public Line-worker school sanctioned by the IBEW, enhancing efficiency and stakeholder engagement.

Dr. Virnitia Dixon, Founder and Managing Consultant, Caravan Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Dr. Virnitia Dixon is the Founder and Managing Consultant of Caravan Coaching & Consulting, LLC based in Tampa, FL.

With more than 30 years of corporate experience, Dr. Dixon most recently served as the Chief Culture Officer for Santander US. Dr. Dixon is a dynamic force in leadership, transformation, and personal growth. She is a certified professional coach and holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, a Masters of Business Administration in Management, and a Bachelors of Science in Legal Studies.

Dr. Dixon has won numerous awards for her work in leadership, strategy, and culture design. She is a patent holder and the author of the best-selling book, Passion Without Purpose Is..., which focuses on positive self-talk. She has written articles for business publications and has been featured on several podcasts, including “The Imposter Syndrome Files” and “Beyond Barriers.” Dr. Dixon is a sought-after panelist and inspirational keynote speaker on notable topics such as cultural transformation, inclusion, wellness, and leadership.

Dr. Dixon is passionate about serving her community and has held various positions on nonprofit boards of directors. Dr. Dixon’s life mission is “to be a blessing to the lives of many, one person at a time”.