Find out more about the keynote speakers at the upcoming UFHRD Conference, including the titles of their keynote speeches.
12 June
Seung Won Yoon
Seung Won Yoon
Dr. Seung Won Yoon is a tenured associate professor of human resource development and workforce analytics at Texas A&M University. Currently, he serves as the president-elect for the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) and will commence his 2-year presidency term after the 2024 AHRD conference in D.C., USA. His research focuses on developing people and organizations through the integration of leadership, learning/knowledge sharing, and technologies. To achieve this, he passionately applies frameworks of social capital, network science, and data analytics.
People Analytics and Artificial Intelligence:
Moving HRD Research and Practices to a New Frontier
13 June
Adapting to Change:
How AI Will Reshape Human Resource Development
Jessica Li
Jessica Li
Jessica is an accomplished professional in Human Resource Development, currently serving as the Associate Dean for Research, Director of the Bureau of Educational Research, and Professor of Human Resource Development (HRD) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has authored over 100 publications and has made significant contributions by serving in various leadership roles for several professional organizations. As a member of the executive committee for the Discovery Partners Institute and the leadership team of the Generative AI Center of Expertise at the University of Illinois System, Jessica plays a crucial role in shaping the future of her field. Her past roles include serving on the board of directors for the Academy of Human Resource Development, being a senior research fellow for The Conference Board, and serving as the editor-in-chief of the Human Resource Development International Journal. Jessica's expertise extends beyond academia, as she brings valuable practical experience from her earlier roles as an employee learning and development executive at prominent companies such as Motorola, Raytheon, and Nokia.
Nelson Ferreira Pires
Nelson Ferreira Pires
General Manager and Board member of Jaba Recordati Portugal since 2010. Former Managing Director and Managing Director of Recordati Ireland & UK.
Professional experience since 1994 as Sales Rep, Area sales manager, sales director and commercial director.
President since 2021 and Former Curator of the Marquês de Pombal Foundation (from 2016 to 2021).
Member of APIFARMA's Board of Directors since 2013 and coordinator of Apifarma's communication group.
Former president of Markinfar from 2012 to 2014. Former Coordinator of the Post-Graduation in Commercial Management at IPAM / European University (from 2016 to 2019).
Degree in Law (UM Lisboa), eMBA in Business Management in the Pharmaceutical sector (from UAL Lisboa), Post-Graduation in Marketing (from IPAM), Specialization in Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry (from Universidade Católica).
Lecturer and guest lecturer at several universities for classes in management and leadership, (European University, IPAM, Nova SBE University, Catholic University, phaermacy university)
Author of more than 250 opinion articles in various media (Marketing Farmacêutico, País Económico, Público, Executive Digest, Vida Económica, Observador, Jornal Público, among others). Participation in more than 300 conferences and congresses as a Key note speaker, speaker or participant in round tables.
Co-author and participation in 4 published books: "“77 vozes pela saúde” ( ISCTE Edition), “WOW” (Prosa editores Edition in 2022), “Aprender importa” (Edition RH in 2021), “Gestão de empresas com pessoas a bordo” of Vasco Ribeiro and Pedro Ramos (Edition Editora de Ideias in 2021).
Author of the published book "POLCI: the alphabet of leadership" (Multipublications edition in June /2022). Recognized as "Person of the Year" 2017 by Executive Digest magazine. General Manager of the "Best SME Company in Social Responsibility (2018/2019/2022) and "CEO of the Year" (2021 and 2022) by Human Resources magazine. " CEO of the Year" by DCH in 2022. "Best communicator in ESG values" in 2022 by the Multipublicações group.
From “Me” to “We”
Flexible Work and the Four Day Week
Rita Fontinha
Rita Fontinha
Rita Fontinha is an Associate Professor of Strategic Human Resource Management at Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK. She is also the Director of the Flexible Working within the World of Work Institute at Henley Business School, and she currently co-coordinates the implementation of the first pilot of the Four Day Work Week in Portugal. Rita’s research focuses on alternative work arrangements, people’s quality of working life, human resource development and their implications on individual and organisational performance. She has published several research articles related to these topics. Her research has mostly a quantitative/statistical nature and she is also the co-author of a book on research methods, together with Valerie Anderson.
14 June
Laura L. Bierema
Laura L. Bierema
Laura L. Bierema is Professor, University of Georgia, College of Education, program of Adult Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development. Dr. Bierema holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and a doctorate in adult education from the University of Georgia. She has over 160 publications, including 11 books and the award-winning text Adult Learning: Linking Theory & Practice with Dr. Sharan B. Merriam and the recent co-authored book Human Resource Development: Critical Perspectives and Practices with Drs. Jamie Callahan, Carole Elliott, Tomika Greer, and Joshua Collins. Dr. Bierema served as Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the UGA College of Education from 2013-2017 and is the Founding Director of the University of Georgia Graduate Certificate in Organization Coaching.
Nothing’s So Practical as Criticality:
Developing an Identity as a Critical HRD Scholar and Practitioner