Agenda

A Glimpse into the 2026 Agenda

Daily Details

WED. SEPT. 23

REGISTRATION

Live Music with M’Gilvry Allen

9:00–10:00

James Moore Theater

WELCOME

Opening Remarks

Welcome to Responsive Conference 2026!
Robin Zander, Executive Director

10:00–10:30

James Moore Theater

MAINSTAGE

COMING SOON

A keynote about navigating uncertainty in an accelerating world.

10:30–11:00

James Moore Theater

15 Minute Transition

11:00–11:15

BREAKOUTS

11:15–12:15

Community Amidst Uncertainty

Mirit Cohen, Global Head of Workplace Experience, Adobe

As AI accelerates change and traditional structures become less predictable, most of us are experiencing a growing sense of fragmentation and isolation. In moments of uncertainty, community can serve as essential infrastructure.

James Moore Theater

Leadership at Work: A CPO Fishbowl

Sally Thornton
Founder & CEO, Forshay

In this session, Sally Thornton will facilitate an “interview in the round” with several Chief People Officers. Rather than traditional presentations, leaders will interview one another directly—rotating through candid conversations on leadership, talent strategy, organizational change, and what it actually takes to guide teams through uncertainty.

Women's Board Lecture Hall

How to Scale Intimacy in the Age of AI

Jenny Sauer-Klein
Founder, The Primary Shift

We've never been more disconnected. Trust in institutions, teams, and our own work is increasingly fragile. In a moment where uncertainty, layoffs, and rapid technological change are reshaping the workplace, the ability to create and scale meaningful human connection may be one of the most important advantages an organization can develop.

In this experiential workshop, Jenny will explore how leaders can intentionally scale intimacy and connection within teams and organizations.

California Room

Lunch in the Garden
Don’t miss out on the Classroom Safari!

12:15–1:45

BREAKOUTS

1:45–2:45

James Moore Theater

Finding Leverage: Collective Intelligence and the Rise of Cognitive Offloading

Jesse Freese, Founder of StartupExperts
Marcus Sawyerr, Founder/CEO, EQ Community

Professional success now depends less on what you personally remember and more on how you curate knowledge and tap trusted networks. Communities, AI, and digital tools extend our thinking—making problem-solving faster, decisions sharper, and work less isolating. This session explores how leaders leverage collective intelligence to build a daily operating system that turns knowledge into clarity and confident action.

Women's Board Lecture Hall

How To Develop the Next Generation of Leaders

Tony Levitan, Leaders in Tech

The pace of technological change is reshaping what leadership requires. Technical expertise alone is no longer enough; leaders must also cultivate emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to guide teams through complexity.

In this session, Tony Levitan will share insights from his work developing emerging leaders in the technology industry. The conversation will explore how leadership development programs can support both professional growth and personal transformation. Tony will also discuss the skills and mindsets future leaders will need to build organizations that are resilient, thoughtful, and capable of thriving in rapidly changing environments.

California Room

15 Minute Transition

2:45–3:00

SPEAKER-LED UNCONFERENCES

Speaker-led unconferences are informal, small-group sessions where attendees dive into topics they care about with a Responsive speaker. These intimate gatherings offer a chance to ask questions, share experiences, and connect directly—without slides or scripts.

3:00–4:00

15 Minute Break

4:00–4:15

MAINSTAGE

5 Principles To Transform Your Organization with AI

Rebecca Hinds, PhD

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work happens—from how information is accessed to how teams collaborate and make decisions.

In this session, Rebecca Hinds will explore what these changes mean for leaders and organizations. Drawing on research and real-world examples, she will examine how AI tools are influencing workplace dynamics, productivity patterns, and knowledge sharing. The talk will also address how leaders can thoughtfully integrate AI while maintaining human judgment, collaboration, and trust.

4:15–4:45

James Moore Theater

CLOSING

Robin Zander

4:45–5:00

James Moore Theater

Happy Hour

Daily Details

THUR. SEPT. 24

PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION

Late Nite Art: Trust @ Workplace
Adam Rosendahl, Founder of Late Nite Art

How do we use creativity as a vehicle to build trust? Join us for this pre-conference session to build meaningful connections and get outside your normal way of working!

8:30–10:30

Garden

WARMUP + REFLECTION

Opening Remarks

Robin Zander

10:30–10:45

James Moore Theater

MAINSTAGE

Leadership, Authority, and The Case for Self-Management

Doug Kirkpatrick
CEO at D'Artagnan Advisors
Author of The No-Limits Enterprise

What if organizations worked differently? What if the most effective organizations were built not on coercion but on voluntary commitments between responsible individuals?

10:45–11:15

James Moore Theater

BREAKOUTS

11:30–12:30

How to Build Unreasonable Companies in Uncertain Times

Danielle Strachman, Founder of 1517 Fund

Innovation rarely follows a predictable path. Many of the most transformative companies begin as ideas that seem unconventional, risky, or even impossible.

In this fishbowl, Danielle Strachman will explore what it takes to build bold companies in uncertain times. Drawing on her experience backing early-stage founders, she will discuss how entrepreneurs identify overlooked opportunities, take calculated risks, and pursue ambitious ideas. The conversation will also examine how younger generations of founders are approaching education, experimentation, and long-term impact differently. With space for audience participation, the session invites attendees to join the discussion about how innovation actually happens.

James Moore Theater

Rethinking Talent Strategy in the Age of AI

Michelle Vitus, Founder & CEO at Slate
Lucia Guillory, PhD, Chief People Officer at Virta Health

As artificial intelligence transforms how work happens, people leaders are facing new questions about skills, talent development, and organizational culture.

In this fishbowl session, Michelle Vitus and Lucia Guillory will join fellow Chief People Officers to explore how talent strategy is evolving in response to emerging technologies. The conversation will examine how companies are preparing employees for changing roles, how leadership expectations are shifting, and what organizations must do to support both performance and well-being in an AI-enabled workplace.

Women’s Board Leture Hall

Strategic Storytelling

J. Nobel, American Conservatory Theater

Drawing on rehearsal-based techniques, participants will learn how to move from delivering information to shaping communication that drives action. Instead of asking, “What do I want to say?”, this session reframes communication around what the audience needs to do, feel, and remember.

California Room

Lunch

Live music by M’Gilvry Allen

12:30–1:30

UNCONFERENCES

Unconferences are informal, small-group sessions where attendees dive into topics they care about with a Responsive speaker. These intimate gatherings offer a chance to ask questions, share experiences, and connect directly—without slides or scripts.

1:30–2:30

BREAKOUTS

2:45–3:45

James Moore Theater

Women's Board Lecture Hall

California Room

MAINSTAGE

The Future of Work is Human

Eldra Jackson III, executive director Inside Circle

In this final session, Eldra shares how personal transformation begins from within, and how building real connection can change the way we live, lead, and show up in the world. If you’re curious about what true change looks like and how we support it in others, this talk is worth your time.

4:00–4:30

James Moore Theater

CLOSING REMARKS

Robin Zander

4:35–4:55

James Moore Theater