Founding Partner

Indeed

Partner

Guild

The workplace is undergoing a seismic shift. Recent advancements in AI and other new technology are redefining the essence of work and challenging long-held assumptions. At the same time, labor shortages in many countries are on the horizon as populations age into retirement. Company leaders must now grapple with profound questions: Who do we hire? How do we attract and manage AI-empowered talent? And what does innovation look like when digital agents are doing more work than ever before?

From the rise of hybrid work and new business models to preparing for Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s disruptive expectations, the opportunities and risks for top executives are immense. What trends will revolutionize the workplace in 2025 and beyond? Which will vanish like relics of the past? And how can companies create cultures that are both inclusive and profit-driven, balancing flexibility with unmatched productivity?

Join us at the inaugural Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit, where the brightest HR and executive minds from Fortune 500 companies, startups, investment firms, government, academia, and culture-making sectors will converge. Together, we will imagine, debate, and design the bold future of work.

Topics of discussion may include:

  • AI and HR tech: What will automation do to the workforce? How will autonomous AI agents best interact with employees? And what new tech solutions should leaders be looking for in terms of hiring, talent planning, and employee experience?
  • Company culture: How to create a forward-thinking, impact-driven culture to attract (and retain) a younger and diverse workforce.
  • Upskilling and reskilling in an AI world: The next-generation skills hiring managers are looking for (and employees should obtain). 
  • Benefits of the future: From fertility perks to climate promises, exploring the new landscape of benefits to keep a competitive edge.  
  • Diversity and inclusion: As the term “DEI” has become charged and controversial, how can companies ensure equity? 
  • Leading in times of crisis: From pandemics to politics to internal crises, how can executives lead amid volatility, assuaging fears of both employees and customers?

Prepare for an exclusive, high-energy event where senior leaders ignite innovative ideas, build strategic partnerships, and find inspiration amidst rapid change. In collaboration with our founding partner, Indeed, this invitation-only gathering features the best of Fortune’s live events: engaging content, influential networking, and actionable insights.

Join us at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach resort, for a two-day experience filled with plenary sessions, intimate group discussions, workshops, and premier networking opportunities. Balance business with pleasure through unique off-site activities, including a golf clinic with 5-hole round, and a dolphin and whale watching tour. Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and unwind in style!

Agenda

* All items are in US/Eastern time.
8:30 - 9:30 AM
NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Join your fellow attendees and Fortune editors for a casual breakfast.

9:45 - 11:45 AM
MAINSTAGE SESSIONS

Plenary sessions are a mix of one-on-one interviews, panel discussions, and short presentations. Our first morning sessions will include explorations of how artificial intelligence is transforming hiring and workforce development, the new leadership competencies required in the age of AI, the billion dollar startups disrupting HR, how lawyers will be your go-to business advisor in 2025 and the future of DEI in the current political era.

Confirmed Sessions:

SKILLS OVER DEGREES: BUILDING TALENT & BOOSTING BUSINESS
No degree? No problem. Walmart is proof that investing in workers pays off. Despite Wall Street’s doubts in 2015, the retail giant’s ambitious plan to raise wages and focus on skill development has driven results: 75% of jobs no longer require a degree, 75% of U.S. salaried managers started as hourly associates, and trained employees are four times more likely to stay. Meanwhile, the New York Jobs CEO Council—launched by JPMorgan Chase’s own Jamie Dimon —creates novel partnerships between 30 companies and educational institutions and has helped over 40,0000 low-income New Yorkers land “family-sustaining” jobs. Learn how these different strategies are evolving, overcoming obstacles, and, ultimately, expanding opportunities and business growth.
Donna Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Walmart
Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director, New York Jobs CEO Council

THE BILLION DOLLAR STARTUPS CHANGING HIRING FOREVER
Boasting multi-billion-dollar valuations, startups Deel and Handshake are doing things differently than the Fortune 500  and they say it’s paying off. Riding a pandemic wave, Deel has enabled businesses to seamlessly onboard employees across 150 countries – with no need for local entities. Handshake’s laser-focus on Gen Z is transforming early-career recruiting by connecting college students with employers through a social media-like platform designed for digital-savvy users, prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity. Their cofounders reveal how shaking up the HR game isn’t just good for innovation—it’s changing the future of work for businesses and job seekers, and leading to long-term profitability.      
Ben Christensen, Cofounder, Handshake                       
Shuo Wang, Cofounder and CRO, Deel

THE MIDDLE MANAGER CONUNDRUM
 It’s been said that people don’t leave companies, they leave managers. As companies seek new ways to increase productivity, morale and retention, is the solutions to invest more in this under-trained and burnt-out cohort of high-potential managers ... or remove this layer of bureaucracy altogether? Hear from one company who made the bold decision to remove its middle management and the lessons learned 18 months into this strategic decision, as well as a leading expert who believes in the power of keeping middle managers and empowering them with the tools to succeed in the new era of work.  

 

12 - 1:30 PM
LUNCH
1:45 - 2:45 PM
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Attendees will have the choice to attend one of three interactive sessions that offer in-depth learning opprtunities in small-group settings.

3 - 6:00 PM
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Participants can choose one of two activities to join with their fellow participants

Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour
Experience an intimate encounter with California’s dolphins and whales aboard a private, 50-foot glass-bottom catamaran. Get up close and personal with marine wildlife, as an experienced captain guides you and shares fascinating insights into the local marine life and its rich history.

Golf Clinic and 5-Hole Round:
Join seasoned PGA professionals for an exclusive golf clinic at Monarch Beach Golf Links, where you'll refine your skills at putting, chipping, and swinging. Then, test your skills during a 5-hole round, tackling tight fairways and firm greens while enjoying stunning coastal views.

6:30 - 9:00 PM
OPENING RECEPTION AND DINNER

Dine under the open sky at a casual gathering designed for meaningful connections, engaging conversations, and relaxed networking. Enjoy exceptional cuisine, refreshing coastal breezes, and the company of industry leaders shaping the future of work—all while seated at tables hosted by Fortune editors and top executives, sparking insightful discussions and new ideas.

Co-chairs

Azure Gilman

Deputy Editor, Leadership

Fortune

Indrani Sen

Senior Feature Editor

Fortune

Kristin Stoller

Editorial Director

Fortune

Phil Wahba

Senior Writer

Fortune

Venue

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA, 92629

 

 

We will gather at the Monarch Beach Resort for the perfect combination of plenary sessions, small-group discussions, workshops, networking, and recreational activities. The Monarch Beach’s cliffside location will set the stage for coastal activities, fine dining and natural inspiration.

Contact Us

The Workplace Innovation Summit program is developed with the guidance of FORTUNE editors, whose journalistic perspective provides unique insights into the key trends and dynamic people that are driving business.

For Speaker Suggestions:

To suggest a speaker for the 2025 Workplace Innovation Summit, please complete the form at the link below. There are no exact deadlines for speaker submissions.
Click here to submit a speaker suggestion.

For Participation:

Participation in the Workplace Innovation Summit is by invitation only, and subject to approval. The registration fee of $1,995 covers the complete program, scheduled meals and conference materials.

Tel: 1-866-661-3840
E-mail: workplaceinnovation@fortune.com

For Sponsorship Opportunities:

A limited number of corporate sponsorships are available. Please contact us for more information.
Elizabeth Parks and Monica Sembler
E-mail: fortunesponsorships@fortune.com

For Press Inquiries:

Patrick Reilly
E-mail: patrick.reilly@fortune.com

Chelsea Hudson
Email: chelsea.hudson@fortune.com