Summary

In an era where career ladders feel more like career lattices and upward mobility isn't always an option, how do CHROs keep talent engaged, motivated, and growing? Join Richmond SHRM and a panel of top CHROs as they share real strategies for leading through organizational compression—when people aren't leaving, roles aren't opening, and traditional advancement has stalled. From 'jumping to hugging' (retaining vs. attracting), learn how to reimagine development, recognition, and purpose when the path forward looks different than it used to.

Key Discussion Points:

• Redefining growth when vertical movement is limited
• Keeping high performers engaged without promotions to offer
• The shift from acquisition to retention strategies ("jumping to hugging")
• Creating meaning and development in lateral or static roles
• How economic uncertainty in insurance, financial services, and staffing markets shapes workforce strategy
• Leading through organizational compression without losing your best people

This program is open to HR practitioners of all levels.

Panelists

Melissa Hagerman

Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer 
Genworth

Melissa Hagerman is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Genworth Financial, Inc., a Fortune 1000 financial and aging care navigation company. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Genworth and its CareScout business deliver products, services, and solutions that help families navigate the aging journey with confidence. In her role, Melissa leads the company’s Human Resources function, overseeing client management, total rewards, talent acquisition and development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, communications, HR data and analytics, community relations, and facilities. She is passionate about creating a workplace where every associate feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to reach their fullest potential. Prior to her appointment as Chief Human Resources Officer in January 2022, Melissa built a 25-year career in Human Resources with increasing leadership responsibilities across healthcare, insurance, and retail industries.

Michele McCauley

Chief Human Resources Officer 
ASGN Incorporated and Apex Systems

Michele McCauley serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Apex Systems, leading the strategy and oversight of the company’s talent acquisition, performance management, onboarding, employee relations, benefits, and regulatory reporting. She also acts as Chief Human Resources Officer for the commercial segment of ASGN, Incorporated. With nearly 28 years of experience, she plays an instrumental role in building the internal infrastructure and shared services teams at Apex. Her leadership has led to a growing portfolio of global accolades including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work® in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Michele led and developed Apex’s first Employee Resource Groups more than 10 years ago, focused on fostering engagement in the workplace. This early work has since evolved into Apex’s overarching Corporate Social Responsibility committee and ASGN Incorporated's Environmental, Social, and Governance framework.

Karen McManus

Vice President, Employee Success
UDig

Moderator

Bryan Chenault, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP

Director, Human Resources 
Red River Foods Group, Inc.

Agenda

Venue

Community College Workforce Alliance
1651 E Parham Road
Richmond, VA  23228

Please park in Parking Lot G

Click here for a Campus Map

Registration

Credits

Richmond SHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. This program will be submitted to SHRM and HRCI for 1.25 PDCs and Business credits towards PHR, SPHY and GPHR recertification.