i4cp Next Practices Now Conference 2027

Erik oversees for all marketing efforts at i4cp and works alongside several departments to execute organizational initiatives. He has over 20 years of experience in the research industry.

Author, university professor, and RBL Group founder Dave Ulrich has long been called the 'father of modern HR.' Dave serves as the Rensis Likert Professor of Business at the Ross School, University of Michigan. He is known for continually learning, turning complex ideas into simple solutions, and creating value for those with whom he works in the fields of organization, leadership, and human resources.

Longtime CEO and president of WD-40 Company, Garry Ridge is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture that he has famously helped to bring about over the course of his tenure. Because of his contributions to WD-40 Company, both measurable and immeasurable, Garry was named the 2016 'Igniter of the Year' by author Simon Sinek. His accomplishments also earned him inclusion among the top four CEOs on Inc.com's 2017 Top 10 Global CEOs list.

Head of the inclusion strategy and diversity & inclusion programs at Bank of America, Namarata Yadev has become a key leader in the company's initiative to promote cultural acceptance, diversity, and inclusion. Most recently, she was listed on Crain's Chicago Business 40 under 40 list in 2018, following appearances on the 2016 Top 50 D&I professionals, 2017 Global Diversity, and Top 15 Business Women in Illinois lists.

She led the project team chosen to design and build XLP, envisioning the newly created program as an intensive journey that develops GE’s future digital industrial leaders. XLP builds global leadership capabilities across the company’s critical strategic functions.

During her tenure as CHRO at IBM, Diane Gherson has shaped a culture of continuous learning, innovation and agility. At the same time, she has digitally transformed the HR function, incorporating AI and automation across all offerings, resulting in more than $100 million in net benefits in 2017. This past year, Diane was named HR Executive of the year by Human Resource Executive magazine and was elected as Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR), the highest honor granted in the HR profession.

Kristen Ludgate is Senior Vice President, Human Resources, at 3M, a Fortune 100 global company based in St. Paul, MN. Kristen began her 3M career in Legal Affairs, where she held several positions including chief employment counsel, vice president of Compliance & Business Conduct, and chief compliance officer. Kristen’s first role outside of Legal Affairs was as vice president, Global Human Resources Business Operations, leading a team of HR professionals supporting 3M business operations and strategies covering over 96,000 employees in 85 countries. She is a frequent speaker on workplace, legal, ethics, and culture topics.

A returning speaker at the i4cp conference, Skip Spriggs is President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the preeminent membership organization for the development of global black leaders including all of the three sitting black CEOs in the Fortune 500. Skip leads the organization’s efforts to increase the number of black executives in C-Suites, global enterprises, and on corporate boards. He was previously the head of HR at Fortune 100 firm, TIAA.

Author of Surrender to Lead, focusing on leadership frameworks for adaptability and resilience.

Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie combines her passion for seeing people reach their full potential with her drive to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities—people like her. For most of her life, Jenny has been deaf. Now, her team at Microsoft is utilizing innovative technology to create positive experiences for people with disabilities and to revolutionize what’s possible for this group. Jenny’s other roles include Chair of DisAbility@Microsoft, an employee resource group, and Board Chair of Disability:IN. In October 2014, she was recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House.

Ranked the world’s #1 executive coach and member of the Thinkers50 hall of fame. Repeatedly ranked among the top global business thinkers and the only person to be honored twice by Thinkers50 as the #1 Leadership Thinker in the World. Prolific, bestselling author and sought-after speaker.

Prior to co-founding medicxi, Kevin was a partner with Index Ventures for 12 years, having joined the firm’s life sciences team in 2003.  Kevin spearheaded Index’s very first experimental asset-centric investment, in PanGenetics, which was later acquired by Abbott Pharmaceuticals. He is currently chairman of Levicept Ltd., Apcintex and Crescendo Biologics as well as being...