Topic: The View From the Top: HR Strategy, Career, and Leadership
Seattle SHRM invites you to our Fall Signature Event – an evening of networking and leadership insights with HR leaders and peers. We’ll start with an engaging, structured networking session designed to spark meaningful conversations and new connections.
Then, we’ll dive into our CHRO Panel, The View From the Top: HR Strategy, Career, and Leadership, where HR executives will share candid perspectives on:
✅ Retention & engagement strategies in a shifting workplace
✅ The role of AI and HR tech in 2026
✅ Building resilience in uncertain times
✅ Lessons learned from leading at the top
This isn’t your average chapter meeting – it’s our premier fall gathering. A chance to:
✨ Network with Seattle’s HR community in a relaxed setting in scenic South Lake Union
✨ Learn directly from seasoned CHROs about what’s next for our profession
✨ Engage in conversations that matter – beyond the buzzwords
🎟️ Space is limited – reserve your spot today! Whether you’re an HR leader or building your career, this signature event will leave you with fresh ideas, new connections, and inspiration for the year ahead.
Event Schedule
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- 5:15pm – Registration
- 5:30-6:30pm– Structured Networking
- 6:40-7:30 pm – Chapter Meeting & CHRO Panel
- 7:30-8:30 pm – Open Networking (optional)
Featured Panelists
Melissa Davis – VP Pfizer People Experience
Expert in organizational development and inclusive, high-performance cultures.
Sonia Vora – Former CHRO, Gates Foundation; CSO, BRYTR
Global HR leader, TEDx speaker, and transformation strategist.
HR is at the forefront like never before. Join powerhouse panelists Melissa Davis, VP Pfizer People Experience, and Sonia Vora, former Gates Foundation CHRO, as they share how HR leaders navigate ever-changing priorities, influence C-suite decisions, and prepare for the future of work. Drawing from firsthand experience, they’ll highlight what it takes to succeed in uncertain times, plus practical career insights and leadership lessons to inspire the next generation of HR leaders.
Recertification Credit
Attendees who participate for the full duration of the educational session will be eligible to earn 1 SHRM and 1 HRCI recertification credit.
Panelist Bios
Melissa Davis is the Organizational Development Lead for Pfizer R&D, based in Bothell, Washington. With a career dedicated to fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures, Melissa specializes in designing and delivering strategic talent and development programs that empower teams and elevate employee experience. She partners closely with leadership to drive engagement, change readiness, and organizational effectiveness across global R&D functions. Melissa brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work, blending data-driven insights with storytelling to connect strategy to action. She is passionate about cultivating environments where individuals thrive and organizations grow.
Sonia Vora is a global HR leader and sought-after speaker at platforms including TEDx, Web Summit and the Conference Board. Formerly CHRO of the Gates Foundation, she now serves as Chief Strategy Officer at BRYTR, developing science-backed nutritional psychiatry solutions to improve mental health through nutrition. Known for creating clarity in complexity, Sonia has led transformations across global organizations—integrating AI into HR, building scalable talent systems, and fostering inclusive, high-performance cultures. Her multicultural background and belief in the unique value of every person shape her approach to leadership, innovation, and change.
Learning Objectives
By attending, participants will:
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- Identify the top disruptions shaping HR priorities today, their impacts, and how to strategize for a successful 2026.
- Understand how CHROs set HR strategies and leverage scenario-planning to anticipate HR needs and risks.
- Discover how an effective leader is different in 2026 and how to lead with both strategic clarity and empathy.
- Gain practical career and leadership tips from senior HR executives’ career journeys as you shape your own HR leadership path.
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