Wednesday - May 7, 2008

7:30 - 8:45 a.m. – Registration and Continental Breakfast – Sponsored by

8:45 –9:00 a.m.– Welcoming Comments by Moderator Michael Atkins

9:00 - 9:45 a.m. - There’s No Elevator to the Top

The blueprint for the ascension of any successful executive career is, in most instances, the same – the difference is how each individual professional identifies and applies those basic skills that distinguish those likely to make it from those who will not. The vice chairman of one of the world’s largest and most recognized search firms discusses the traits of executives on the “fast track” to the top versus those that seek the top jobs but cannot make that all important transition. As a search professional who has recruited dozens of executives at companies around the globe, our first speaker this morning will discuss key qualities for success – all of which he has recently covered in a new book in conjunction with over 35 CEOs and top leaders – providing fresh and substantive insight to career advancement strategies for top executives.

Umesh Ramakrishnan
Vice Chairman
CTPartners

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. – Measuring Executive Performance

Shareholder returns are considered the best way to measure the performance of many officer level executives. But what other factors do world class companies look at when they measure the performance of their top leadership? A panel of top leadership assessment professionals will discuss the universal and/or industry specific qualities/personality traits/results of top performing executives, the methodologies they use and the key metrics they look for when assessing candidates and current executives.

Moderator:
Mick Donahue
Partner
Donahue/Patterson Associates

Panelists:
Tess Reinhard
Director, Organizational Capability
CDW

Lorraine Stomski, Ph.D.
SVP and Talent Leader, Leadership Education & Coaching
AON Corporation

Diana Sorfleet
VP, Talent Development
Exelon Corporation

10:30 - 11:00 a.m. – Networking Break – Sponsored by

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. - The New Vision for Global HR Leaders

HR's position within an organization has always given it a unique and powerful perspective but until recently the expectation of most HR departments has been limited to delivering necessary services and rarely acknowledged for creating value. Fierce market conditions, the scarcity of skilled talent and the continual search for differentiation are just a few of the factors changing that view. Today, companies are looking to leverage their HR department as a strategic asset, creating a crucial link between organizational capabilities, business objectives and shareholder value. This new vision of HR represents a golden opportunity for professionals in the field to become crucial contributors to the success of a business. Hewlett-Packard’s VP of people development and human resources, Linda Sharkey, believes that making this aspiration a reality begins with HR professionals themselves. Ms. Sharkey will discuss her perspectives on the new vision of HR, the skills professionals need to develop and the critical drivers she believes HR can contribute to an organization to create value.

Linda Sharkey Ph.D
VP, People Development
Hewlett-Packard

Introduction by:
Tom Scanlan
Consultant
Spencer Stuart

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. - Luncheon- Sponsored by DHR International
Hunt-Scanlon Human Resource Leadership
Award Presentation

Upon his arrival as executive vice president and chief human resource officer in 2003, Mr. Floersch became responsible for managing McDonald’s Corporation’s human resource function, including staffing, employee development, training, compensation and benefits for its 400,000 company employees in 118 countries. By working closely with the company’s senior management and global HR teams, Mr. Floersch was able to successfully develop programs that support the company’s Plan to Win strategies, focusing on restaurant people programs that drive employee engagement, rewards programs that support pay for performance, effective talent management and leadership development and enhanced employment branding programs. Mr. Floersch’s emphasis on corporate training, employee development, and job progression is demonstrated through the 44 percent increase in enrollment at Hamburger University. McDonald’s Corporation has also enjoyed high rankings on Fortune’s “2007 List of Global Top Companies for Leaders,” ranking them No. 14 on the global list and No. 11 on the U.S. list. Hunt-Scanlon is proud to recognize Mr. Floersch with the 2008 Hunt-Scanlon Human Resource Leadership Award for his accomplishments in effectively redefining recruitment, corporate training, leadership, talent management, and customer service at McDonald’s Corporation.

Richard Floersch
EVP and Chief Human Resource Officer
McDonalds Corporation

Introduction by:
Cathleen Lloyd
Chief Financial Officer
DHR International

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. - Executive Search: A Year in Review

Until the recent shock of the credit crunch, fee revenue for the executive search industry has been extremely robust. The president of the worldwide Association of Executive Search Consultants will discuss why the majority of firms have continued to move forward with double digit growth. He will provide his analysis of the marketplace, from an uptick in certain functional and industry disciplines to a surge in the regional activity in such markets as Asia and Central Europe.

Peter M. Felix
President
The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC)

2:00 - 2:45 p.m. – Building a Top-Tier Workforce

The pool of qualified job candidates is getting smaller, and will continue to shrink in the decades ahead. How can HR practitioners leverage human capital to meet their companies' needs? How can a company position itself to compete for scarce talent? The senior vice president of corporate and investment banking recruiting of one of the top banks discusses how a company can position itself to ensure the commitment and retention of it new hires and well tenured employees. Maria Warnken will discuss how HR is a full partner in creating the company's success in identifying drivers of attraction and commitment in the global labor market.

Maria Warnken
SVP, Corporate and Investment Banking Recruiting
Wachovia Corporation

Introduction by:
Michael J. Portland
Principal
Egon Zehnder International

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. - How Current and Projected Business Trends
Affect Human Capital Strategies

In just about every sector of the current U.S. economy, businesses are bracing for a slowdown. All companies are approaching growth conservatively, remembering lessons learned during our most recent recessionary period. The deputy bureau manager of BusinessWeek Chicago, Roger Crockett, will discuss key business trends that are affecting the human capital strategies of the world's top employers and will share his candid perspectives on how these trends will play out.

Roger Crockett
Deputy Bureau Manager
BusinessWeek Chicago

3:15 - 3:30 p.m. - Wrap Up & Closing