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Department of Human Resource Management

2026 HR Leadership Conference

Control + Alt + Delete

HR Reboot & Reimagine

Rebooting HR for a Stronger Commonwealth Workforce

September 28 -30, 2026
Greater Richmond Convention Center (GRCC)
Richmond, VA

Welcome HR Leaders and Professionals

Welcome to the 2026 DHRM HR Leadership Conference, where HR professionals, workforce leaders, and practitioners from across the Commonwealth will come together to explore the future of human resources in state government and higher education.

This year’s theme, “Control + Alt + Delete: HR Reboot & Reimagine,” reflects the evolving role of HR in today’s workplace. As organizations navigate workforce transformation, operational challenges, changing employee expectations, and emerging technologies, HR professionals are being called to rethink how work is designed, delivered, and supported.

Why Attend

The workplace is evolving faster than ever, and HR professionals are at the center of that transformation. The 2026 DHRM HR Leadership Conference offers a unique opportunity to step away from day-to-day responsibilities and engage with colleagues, thought leaders, and subject matter experts from across the Commonwealth. Whether you're focused on compliance, workforce development, talent strategy, employee engagement, technology, or organizational effectiveness, you'll gain practical insights and actionable ideas that can immediately benefit your organization. By attending you will:

Control
  • Strengthen the understanding of HR policies, practices, and operational frameworks
  • Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness and employee experience
  • Learn practical tools and approaches that can be applied within your organizations
Alt
  • Explore innovative and emerging workforce strategies
  • Examine strategies for talent recruitment, retention, and workforce development
  • Build connections and partnerships across agencies and institutions
Delete
  • Discuss modernization efforts in HR systems, technology, and service delivery
  • Improve service delivery and operational efficiency
  • Eliminate outdated processes and practices

Who Should Attend

This conference is designed for professionals across all areas of workforce and organizational support, including:

  • HR leaders and practitioners
  • Employee relations professionals
  • Talent acquisition and workforce planning teams
  • Compensation, payroll, and benefits professionals
  • Learning and organizational development staff
  • EEO and compliance practitioners
  • Higher education HR professionals
  • Managers, supervisors, and operational leaders
  • Individuals involved in workforce strategy, culture, and organizational effectiveness

Speakers

We are excited to announce the following speakers for the 2026 DHRM HR Conference. Additional speaker information will be announce soon.

Opening Day Keynote
Karen Michael

Legal Update
Woods Roger

Day Two Keynote
Ed Cook and Roxanne Brown of The Change Decision