Thursday, September 14, 2023

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | Registration & Networking


9:45 AM - 10:30 AM | Welcome Keynote: Innovating Through Chaos: What Does The Future Look Like For Consulting?

For 3 years the world has navigated a withering barrage of economic, social and medical disruption, upending our personal lives and how we do business. In true form, the consulting industry was quick to read prevailing winds, adjust course, pivot, correct and innovate for survival. All on-the-fly and at a grueling pace. What now?

Consulting Magazine’s Michael Webb takes a look at where our industry is positioned in the wake of dizzying change – what happened and what potentially lies ahead.

Panel Moderator: Michael A. Webb | Consulting Magazine - ALM

Michael A. Webb, Director, Consulting Magazine - ALM

Panelists:
Audra Nichols, Chief Operating Officer - MBO Partners
Tomek Jankowski, Director - Pacesetter REsearch - ALM
Patricia Buckley, Managing Director for Economics - Deloitte



10:30 AM - 11:15 AM | Panel: The War on Data: Costs, Risks and Future of Our Most Valuable Currency

In the beginning it was gold. Then oil. Now, data is the most valuable currency on our planet.

It is also Pandora’s Box, bringing myriad considerations regarding its acquisition, retention, protection and as importantly the RISK of having it in your possession.

Our panel will examine the ethical implications of holding and managing data, the life or death ramifications of mismanaging it and how far behind the technology curve corporations (and those who advise them) are when it comes to protecting it.

As in war, superior strategic and tactical planning is required to achieve victory. This session will deliver insight into the cultural shifts, light-speed technology advances and calculated governance necessary to protect an organization's use and handling of data; the transformative role of these elements for strategic evolutionary planning; and the nuclear consequences of just one breach.

Panel Moderator: Alex Johnston | Clearsight Advisors


Alex Johnston, Managing Director - Clearsight Advisors


Panelists:
Vanessa Pawlak, Vice President, Global Leader Govt HHS - IBM Consulting
Kate Graeff, Vice President | Enterprise Trust - Deloitte & Touche LLP
Elena Kvochko, Chief Trust Officer - SAP


  


11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Morning Networking Break


Supported by:   


11:45 AM - 12:30 PM | Panel: ESG Under Fire: Navigating Political Volatility, Lagging Legislation and Current Market Challenges

As companies and governments scramble to find balance for sustainability initiatives, energy security and social policies, we are experiencing a perfect storm of social, economic and geopolitical elements that has put environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives under tremendous pressure during the past 2 years.

Some of these forces might be short-lived, others, including the political polarization of ESG issues in the United States, are more difficult to gauge.

Increasingly, ESG has become a political minefield in the United States, reflecting partisan conflicts and regional economic influences. While some states have issued extensive ESG mandates, others seek to exclude banks supporting ESG policies on issues ranging from climate change to gun control.

As a result, companies are being subjected to scrutiny over social issues – finding themselves caught in a political crossfire and even targeted by local governments for “unpopular” policies.

  • How have the market forces changed in the last 2 years?
  • How have companies' strategies evolved in the past 2 years?
  • What are the political and policy trends?
  • Reporting versus Actions?
  • Can we predict what is ahead?

With so many variables and similarly defined elements involved, what is the future for sustainable and effective ESG programs? 

Panel Moderator:  Michael Valocchi | Cognizant

Michael Valocchi, SVP - Head of Americas Consulting - Cognizant

Panelists:
Daniel Pellegrom, Director, ESG - Leidos
Hortense Viard, Director Sustainability and Climate - Baringa Partners


12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Networking Lunch


Supported by:   


1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | Keynote: The Future of Work is Here Now: Applying a Human First Approach to the Workforce

There has been a paradigm shift in the balance of power in the workforce over the past three years. This is in the form of how workers view their jobs and what is expected of them – and how organizations attract, retain and improve the lives of their employees while driving sustainable value for their clients.

As a result of this upheaval and the impact work-life-balance now plays in the equation, how should companies (and those who advise them) adapt to the new normal? How do we balance the Future of Work with a still-morphing workforce? And what effect will the biblical flood of talent from a rapidly resizing technology sector mean to this future?

Edie Weiner, President and CEO - The Future Hunters


2:15 PM - 3:00 PM | Panel: Technology Meets Human Behavior - Using AI to Measure Inclusion in the Workplace

Society in every developed country is a structure of institutions– one of operating systems. Every major social task, whether economic performance or health care, education or the protection of the environment, the pursuit of new knowledge or defense, is today being entrusted to operating systems created by and for the white male. No room for diversity is built in to the current system.

Can artificial intelligence (AI) help us more accurately identify unconscious bias? Can the concept of “crashing and rebooting” these systems be used as a process for advancing DEI initiatives? How do arrangements of people, organizations, information and technology, give rise to complex adaptive phenomena that pose challenges to change?

Checking DEI boxes will never generate progress. This panel will examine the importance of reworking status quo operating systems and the utilization of AI to assess internal processes focused on changing and creating effective programs and processes to advance diversity and inclusion efforts for all organizations.

Panel Moderator: Michael A. Webb | Consulting Magazine - ALM

Michael A. Webb, Director, Consulting Magazine - ALM

Panelists:
Susan Freeman, Chief Executive Officer & Founder - Conscious Inclusion Company
Daphe Turpin Forbes, Assistant General Counsel & Managing Attorney - Microsoft
Marco Lindsey, Associate Director of DEI - UC Berkeley



3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Afternoon Networking Break


Supported by:   


3:30 PM - 4:15 PM | Champagne Roundtables

Wrapping Up - How Do We Best Incorporate the Human Element of Today’s Content into Future Operations?

Having covered highly relevant topics for our industry, it is important to engage in collective dialogue, gain perspective and check reality, so we may take away the most relevant concepts and ideas for the benefit of our respective organizations and the profession.

Unique in its basic purpose and concept, the champagne roundtables are designed to ensure the topics covered throughout the day’s programming deliver value to each attendee based on their roles and responsibilities within their firms.

Specifically, each breakout group will review and discuss the day's content through the lenses of the various roles they perform. (i.e. Operations, HR, Finance, Technology)

Moderators from these sectors will guide the group's discussions and then close out the day’s programming with a synopsis of that groups thoughts, perspective and relevant takeaways from the summit.

  • Roundtable discussions moderated by special guest moderators
  • Roundtable discussion session will last 30 minutes, then each moderator will share 3-4 minute takeaways at the podium

Roundtable 1: Operations

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Roundtable 1: Operations

Based on the content presented in today's summit, how can we best use this information to improve our firms, our service to clients, and ourselves, through the LENS of OPERATIONS?

Moderator: TBA

Roundtable 2: Human Resources

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Roundtable 2: Human Resources

Based on the content presented in today's summit, how can we best use this information to improve our firms, our service to clients, and ourselves, through the LENS of HUMAN RESOURCES?

Moderator: TBA

Roundtable 3: Finance

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Roundtable 3: Finance

Based on the content presented in today's summit, how can we best use this information to improve our firms, our service to clients, and ourselves, through the LENS of of FINANCE?

Moderator: TBA

Roundtable 4: IT/Technology

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Roundtable 4: IT/Technology

Based on the content presented in today's summit, how can we best use this information to improve our firms, our service to clients, and ourselves, through the LENS of TECHNOLOGY?

Moderator: TBA

4:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Closing Comments


4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Summit Closing Reception


5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Consulting Best Firms to Work For Awards Drinks Reception

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Consulting Best Firms to Work For Awards Ceremony

The awards are a separate ticketed event, should you wish to attend please contact awardsinfo@alm.com