The Premier

HR & Leadership Conference
in Hampton Roads

In an evolving business landscape defined by rapid technological advances, shifting workforce expectations, and complex regulatory demands, effective leadership requires both strategic foresight and human-centered execution.

The 2026 Peninsula SHRM Leadership Conference is designed to equip executives, business leaders, and HR professionals with the actionable insights, legal frameworks, and strategic connections needed to navigate today’s workplace challenges and drive long-term organizational success.

Meet Our Keynote Speakers

Meet Our Break-out Session Speakers

As the CEO of Strong Girl Enterprises, Terrie specializes in helping individuals and organizations harness the power of perspective to drastically improve leadership, performance, and overall well-being.

Her sessions are far from typical corporate lectures. Terrie masterfully blends science-backed strategies with powerful storytelling to help professionals break through mental roadblocks.

Attendees will walk away equipped to:

  • See organizational challenges through a completely new lens.
  • Lead their teams with absolute clarity during times of change.
  • Spark workplace cultures rooted in performance, resilience, and compassion.


Whether you are looking to elevate your own leadership capacity or bring actionable wellness and performance strategies back to your entire organization, Terrie’s breakout session is one you cannot afford to miss.

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Leah and Fred are highly sought-after defense attorneys who spend their days keeping Virginia employers out of court, defending actions before the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and OSHA, and helping organizations draft bulletproof policies.

What You’ll Learn at "The 2026 Legal Briefing":
This dynamic joint session is designed to walk you through your everyday compliance realities, helping you turn abstract legal guidelines into practical, daily workplace practices.

Known for their high-energy, engaging, and remarkably fun presentation styles, Fred and Leah make complex employment law feel accessible, relatable, and directly applicable to your business.

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In today's dynamic labor market, staying ahead of employment authorization rules, visa updates, and shifting immigration policies isn't just a compliance requirement... it's essential risk management for your workforce.

As an active leader in the field, including serving as the AILA Liaison to the USCIS Norfolk Field Office, Radlyn brings decades of professional expertise and practical insight to the stage. Her high-impact session will give HR executives and business owners a clear, practical framework to:

Demystify Work Authorizations:
Distinguish between temporary visas, permanent residence, and employment authorization documents.

Mitigate Operational Risk:
Manage visa expirations, job role changes, reverification obligations, and international employee travel safely.

Protect & Support Talent:
Respond appropriately to employee status concerns while maintaining strict compliance and avoiding legal exposure.

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Wellness programs often struggle with participation because employees feel they don't have the time, physical ability, or equipment to participate.

In her energizing session, "The Business Case and ROI for Inclusive Workplace Wellness," Alexis will reveal how simple, inclusive micro-movement breaks integrated directly into the workday can transform employee engagement, drastically reduce absenteeism, and elevate overall team performance.

Interactive Chair Workout:
Experience firsthand how chair-based movement breaks remove barriers to wellness participation for every employee, regardless of fitness level.

Actionable ROI Frameworks:
Learn concrete methods to measure financial returns and productivity gains from micro-movement initiatives.

Turnkey Program Launching:
Gain actionable strategies to build and scale inclusive workplace wellness solutions across your organization.

Alexis is an entrepreneur and aging wellness specialist who founded ChairOne Fitness, a groundbreaking program created to keep individuals active and engaged. Since 2009, she has inspired global audiences as a dynamic speaker, corporate wellness leader, and creator of Fuzion Fitness and the television program/podcast We Are Living Healthy.

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AI is changing HR... are your people ready to lead the way?

Technology is reshaping how we recruit, train, and manage teams, but AI is only as powerful as the human strategy behind it.

In her highly anticipated breakout session, "Empowered by AI. Elevated by People," Dr. Cooke will share proven strategies for building a human-centered AI framework that drives organizational growth while keeping culture and workforce trust intact.

Practical & Ethical AI Adoption:
Implement real-world AI tools across recruiting, learning and development, performance management, and employee experience.

People-First Change Management:
Drive enterprise-wide technology shifts while keeping employees engaged, valued, and empowered at the center of work.

Immediate Takeaways:
Leave with actionable frameworks and tools you can apply in your organization right away to boost operational efficiency.

Dr. Shayna Cooke is a recognized executive leader specializing in enterprise-wide strategy across people, culture, learning, AI adoption, and client experience. With a career spanning education, consulting, and corporate leadership, Shayna is known for delivering dynamic, high-impact sessions that equip HR leaders to navigate complex organizational change.

Registration

What's Included with your registration?


- Full-day access to all keynote and breakout sessions
- Entry to the post-conference networking social (4:00 PM – 5:30 PM)
- Breakfast and lunch
- Conference materials and session resources
- 5 SHRM and HRCI recertification credits
- Opportunities to connect with HR and business professionals from across the region

REGISTRATION RATES

Early Bird Tickets 
Members: $199
Non-Members/Guests: $249

Regular Priced Tickets begin July 11th
Members: $239
Non-Members/Guests: $299

Late/On-site Registration begins September 10th
Members: $289
Non-Members/Guests: $349

Corporate Table Tickets (Seats 10) — Limited to 20 tables
Early Bird Tickets: $2,000

For invoice requests, please contact: [email protected]

Refund Policy: Cancellations are eligible for a full refund through August 24, 2026.

Register Now