About the Panel Discussion

The role of senior HR Technology and HRIS leaders is expanding far beyond system administration, platform ownership, and process support. In 2026, the most effective leaders in this space will be the ones who can connect architecture, data, AI, workflow design, employee experience, and business priorities into one coherent people technology strategy that the enterprise can actually scale.

This session will explore how the role is evolving from managing platforms and integrations to shaping the future HR tech stack, guiding AI adoption, improving decision support, and building a more intelligent, connected people infrastructure that supports transformation across the business.

Discussion points

How to Move from System Owner to Strategic Architect: Shift from maintaining platforms and processes to designing the people technology ecosystem that supports scale, agility, and enterprise change.
How to Build an AI-Native HR Tech Stack: Reassess architecture, integrations, workflow design, and data foundations so the stack is ready for AI, automation, and more intelligent employee experiences.
How to Lead What Comes Next for HR Technology: Strengthen the role of HR tech leaders as cross-functional partners to HR, IT, analytics, and the business in shaping the future of work.

Speakers

Arun Serikar, VP, HR Technology, Digital Platforms & AI Innovation at Schneider Electric
Jon Getz, Senior Director, People Insights, Strategy & AI at ServiceNow
Jessica Thornton, Director, People Analytics at athenahealth
Colin Emery, Global Director HR Systems, Data Governance and People Analytics at Edgewell Personal Care
Ike Bennion, VP Product Management, Data Platform at Visier
[Moderator] Chakkry Arunachalam, Head of Data Strategy, Analytics and Digital Innovation at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
[Event Chair] Chris Rainey, CEO & Co-Founder at HR Leaders

This panel is part of the 2026 Global Workforce Transformation Summit built to help HR Leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and control so you can turn AI opportunity and complexity into a competitive advantage.

Panel #1 Watch Here: The CHRO AI Playbook: Strategy, Structure, and Smarter Work
Panel #2 Watch Here: Before AI Can Scale: Fixing the Workforce Data Model Everyone Depends On
Panel #3 Watch Here: The CHRO-CIO Alliance: What the New Partnership Looks Like
Panel #4 Watch Here: From Platform Owner to Transformation Architect: The New Mandate for HR Tech Lead
Panel #5 Watch Here: Redesigning Work for the Human-AI Era: Who Does What, and How Do You Manage Both
Panel #6 Watch Here: Responsible AI in HR: Trust, Governance, and Context
Panel #7 Watch Here: Strategic Workforce Planning in the Age of AI: From Headcount to Capability