Connecting People, Purpose, and Possibility
Join higher education HR professionals from across Utah for a day of practical learning, meaningful conversations, and new ideas you can bring back to your institution.
October 23, 2026
Utah Valley University
Thank You to Our Fall 2026 Sponsors
Fall 2026 Agenda
Working agenda, additional details coming soon.
Concurrent Session 1 | 9:15–10:00 a.m.
Keri Jones-Fonnesbeck
Trauma Informed Utah
Becoming Trauma-Informed: It Starts with US
Keri Jones-Fonnesbeck is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Executive Director of Trauma Informed Utah, where she helps organizations implement human-centered, trauma-informed practices. Explore the key principles of a trauma-informed approach and how they connect to team engagement and organizational health. Participants will leave with practical strategies for creating safer, more resilient and responsive workplaces.
Jeff Dunn
RealRx
Managing the Changing Benefits Landscape
Jeff Dunn, PharmD, MBA, is General Manager of RealRx and has more than 25 years of leadership experience in pharmacy benefits and health plans. Learn what is driving rising pharmacy costs and how changes in medications, regulation and benefit strategy are affecting employers. Jeff will share practical questions HR professionals can use to better understand and evaluate their organization’s pharmacy benefits.
Concurrent Session 2 | 10:15–11:00 a.m.
Bob Thompson
Senior HR Director of Employee Relations | University of Utah
Connecting People, Purpose, and Possibility
Connecting with people can also create stronger connections to purpose and open the door to new possibilities. This session will explore the role meaningful human connection plays in creating environments where people and ideas can thrive.
Zac Huish
HUB International
Fund Your Purpose: A Financial Roadmap for HR Leaders
Zac Huish is Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at HUB International, where he leads retirement education and private wealth management services throughout Utah. Designed for HR professionals who spend their careers helping others prepare for the future, this session turns the focus toward their own financial well-being. Zac will share practical guidance on financial planning, retirement readiness, Social Security and Medicare, investments, budgeting, and connecting financial decisions to personal purpose.
Concurrent Session 3 | 11:15–12:00 p.m.
Amy Emrazian
University of Utah
Connecting with DiSC
Amy Emrazian is the Senior Manager of Training and Development at the University of Utah, where she leads learning initiatives and helps leaders and teams strengthen their skills. Explore the DiSC framework and how understanding behavioral styles can help us better understand and connect with the people we work with.
Ann Johnson
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences
The Five Ways We Misread Talent: Seeing the People Already in Your Organization
Ann Johnson is Vice President of People & Culture at Joyce University and has more than 20 years of experience helping leaders and organizations navigate growth, change and the human realities of work. Organizations sometimes have a talent visibility problem rather than a talent shortage. Explore five common ways we misread talent and learn practical ways to challenge assumptions, recognize potential and see the possibilities already within our organizations.
Keynote Session | 12:45–1:45 p.m.
Dr. Sara Reed
Elevating Leadership
The Leadership Competence Gap
Dr. Sara Reed is a leadership strategist, executive coach, educator and former HR executive with extensive experience developing leaders in higher education. What happens when talented professionals become leaders without enough preparation for leading people? This interactive session explores the leadership competence gap, how it can show up in organizations, and practical ways HR can better prepare and support emerging leaders.
Legal Update Session | 2:00–2:45 p.m.
Lucia Maloy
Southern Utah University
Legal Update
Lucia Maloy serves as General Counsel for Southern Utah University, where she advises the institution on higher education law, governance, compliance and risk management. Get up to date on current legal trends and emerging issues affecting human resources, with a particular focus on higher education.
Get Involved
Help shape the future of higher education HR in Utah by sharing your expertise or partnering with us to support meaningful professional development.
PRESENT
Share your expertise with higher education HR professionals across Utah. Submit a proposal to present at our next conference.
SPONSOR
Partner with the Utah Chapter of CUPA-HR to support professional development for higher education HR leaders from institutions across Utah.
Theme
Building Bridges
Keynote
Dave Ulrich
Sessions
- Samantha Easter – Building Bridges: Reframing the Reality of Neurodivergent Minds
- Lexie Richins-Peterson – Dancing Through Conflict: A Practical Framework for Difficult Conversations
- Lucia Maloy – Legal Update
Sponsors
- Fidelity Investments
- Hale Centre Theatre
- HUB International
- Moreton & Company
- my529
- Regence
- TIAA
- Utah Valley University
Theme
Building Bridges
Keynote
Jeff Herring — Human-Centered Leadership in an Era of Disruption
Sessions
- Todd Davis — Navigating Difficult Conversations
- James Duncan — Legal Update
Sponsors
- Fidelity Investments
- FranklinCovey
- Hale Centre Theatre
- Moreton & Company
- my529
- PageUp
- Regence
- University of Utah
- Utah Valley University
Theme
Civility, Unity, Professionalism, Adaptability
Keynote
Dr. Kyle Reyes — Lenses of Humanity: How Reflection, Connection, and Empathy Can Heal Our World
Sessions
- Drew Burke (UVU) — Incivility Starts With-IN
- Amy Emrazian (University of Utah) — Unlocking Team Potential: The Power of Unity in the Workplace
- Dr. Lei Pakalani (SLCC) — Cultivating Adaptability in the Workplace
- Scott Hoffman (Davis Technical College) — Elevating Professionalism in Higher Education HR
- Cathy Jordan — Legal Update
Sponsors
- Moreton & Company
- Regence
- Utah Valley University
Theme
Civility, Unity, Professionalism, Adaptability
Session
Linda Miller (Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield) — Navigating the Change Landscape
Sponsor
- Regence
Theme
From Innovation to Implementation
Sessions
- Meagan Beesley — Compensation
- Dr. Sara A. Reed — Develop Strategic Thinking
- John Barrand — Strategic Vision in HR for the State of Utah
- Cathy Jordan — Legal Update (General)
- Chris Coleman & Matt Lee — People Analytics Doesn't Have To Be Scary
- Stephanie Potter — NeuroNurture
- Cathy Jordan — Legal Update (Leadership)
Sponsors
- Cornerstone
- PEHP
- Regence
- URS
Theme
Strategic Planning for the Future
Keynote
David Snow — One Step Beyond
Sessions
- Susan Chalmers — HR a Trusted Advisor: Building Relationships to Advance Partnerships and Your Organizational Mission
- Lisa Leishman & Angie Clayson — Crisis Preparedness and Support in the Workplace: Navigating Tragedy
- Corrie Grint & Amy Emrazian — Authentic Leadership
- Sarah Hook & Mike Miner — Building a Strong HR/Legal Partnership for Success
- Drew Burke — Performance Management without Punishment
- Leadership Panel Discussion — Navigating the Future: Strategy Insights for Higher Education Leaders