Department of Human Resource Management
2026 HR Leadership Conference
Control + Alt + Delete
HR Reboot & Reimagine
Rebooting HR for a Stronger Commonwealth Workforce
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:
- 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
- Explore innovative and emerging workforce strategies
- Examine strategies for talent recruitment, retention, and workforce development
- Build connections and partnerships across agencies and institutions
- 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- Eliminate outdated processes and practices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
The 2026 DHRM HR Leadership Conference will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers and presenters from across state government, higher education, and industry. Attendees can expect sessions led by:
HR Leaders and Practitioners
Subject Matter Experts
Organizational and Workforce Strategists
Learning and Development Professionals
Operational and Policy Experts
National and Regional Keynote Speakers
Speaker information will be announced soon.