SAFE SPACE SUMMIT
October 23, Chicago, IL
Tentative Agenda
The world of work is WILD right now.
Between balancing what’s happening in the world with the day-to-day of what’s happening in your organization, it can get really overwhelming.
But our toughest problems in HR aren’t going away and still require our attention.
That sparked the idea for the Safe Space Summit. HR leaders need a space where we can come together, learn, connect and kick back. A place where we don’t have to have all the answers, be in confidential mode or always watch what we say.
This isn’t your typical “best practices” snoozefest. No generic panels, no surface-level discussions.
Expect raw, honest conversations about the challenges we’re actually facing, like AI, performance, wellbeing and getting your CEO to actually listen to you. (My lifelong mission).
Come for the real talk. Stay for the game-changing strategies. Leave feeling like you’ve got a whole bunch of new connections with people who get it and are happy to support you.
Hope to see you there,
– Hebba
FOUNDER OF I HATE IT HERE
Thanks to our partners
Welcome Remarks & Opening
Welcome Remarks & Personal Reflection
Fixing Your Foundation
You can’t build a house on a shoddy foundation. Same goes for scaling HR orgs. We’ll assess where our orgs are today and use each session to bridge the gap to where we want to be tomorrow. We’ll anchor on self-assessments in 4 foundational issues HR leaders face across their orgs:
- Resilience
- Engagement
- Performance
- Trust
Grab a quick bite and network with fellow attendees
Networking Break
Meet and greet with fellow attendees and be sure to check out our sponsors while you rest and recharge!
Lunch
Lunch & Networking Break
Architecting Trust
What does it take to build or rebuild trust across teams, especially when the org is under pressure? Advocating for the interests of the business and for it’s people can feel like an impossible and thankless task. We’ll talk about how to build a coalition of allies that have your back at every level of the org:
- The CEO <> CPO relationship
- Executive trust
- Employee trust
Closing Reflection
Before we send you off to tackle your to-do list (or at least tweak your PTO policy), we'll wrap by reflecting on our intention and learnings from the day -- and what actions you want to take next.
Closing Party
A chance to unwind, meet new friends and not be on HR duty at a party!
This Summit is Made for People Like You
Ready to ditch the status quo and build sharper, more effective HR strategies? This summit is for you—CHROs, VPs of People, and senior HR operators who shape talent, budgets, and organizational design. Join us for candid peer conversations and frameworks that drive real impact.
90%
Decision Makers
Director Level and Above
92%
Healthcare, tech, SaaS, education
Top Industries
Safe Space Speakers
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Not Ready to Lock It In? No Problem!
Drop your email, and we’ll keep you in the loop with updates, speaker announcements, and exclusive event details that will show you why this summit is worth your time (and inbox space).
Partner with Us and Let’s Build Better Workplaces Together.
Showcase your brand to decision-makers, HR leaders, and workplace innovators who are driving meaningful change across industries. Let’s shape the future we want and make an impact together.
Viceroy Chicago
Located in the vibrant River North neighborhood, the Viceroy Chicago offers the perfect backdrop for a day of innovation and connection.
Location
1118 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610 USA
Rates
Book your stay at our exclusive hotel rate and enjoy the summit in style.
Ends Sep. 4
Early rate
For HR leaders ready to transform their workplaces. Limited spots available.
HR Leader Pass
37 remaining
Approval required
$895
Save 28%
Early rate
Ends Sep. 1
$1,045
Regular rate
Ends Oct. 1
$1,245
Late rate
Regular rate
Ends Oct. 2
Late rate
For providers offering solutions to HR challenges. Connect with decision-makers.
Vendor Pass
10 remaining
$1,595
Save 20%
Early rate
Ends Sep. 1
$1,795
Regular rate
Ends Oct. 1
$1,995
Late rate
This summit's for senior HR leaders shaping people strategy, systems, and culture
Building Resilient Orgs in the Era of Change
The Pace of Change Is Breaking Teams. How can you increase your employees’ uncertainty tolerance in an era of rapid change. What kind of structure and tools support your values as you grow, flatten, or rebuild?
-Headcount Volatility
-Change management KPIs
-Manager Readiness & Capacity
-Executive vs. Employee Perception Gap
- AI Adoption As a Change Catalyst
If you haven’t started thinking about this, you’re behind.
Deep Dive: Building Your AI Strategy for 2026
Reflection + Breakout Discussion
Review your self-assessment and refine your strategy with group insights.
Employee Experience Revolution
Employee experience starts from the time someone is recruited, to when they’re off-boarded from an organization. We’ll discuss how to prioritize engagement in today’s environment, every step of the way, through the lens of:
- Culture
- Pay Equity
- Learning & Development
- Wellbeing
Case Study: Employee Engagement in a Remote-First Environment
We'll hear from an innovative HR leader on how their team approached engagement in 2025 and how they measured success.
Reflection + Breakout Discussion
Learn what happened when a global team introduced AI into their review process.
The Future of Performance
How do we reframe hiring, development, and internal mobility to match how people really grow? We'll examine where leaders can move the needle on performance by:
- Defining performance
- Measuring ROI
- Giving Better Feedback
- Leveraging AI
Fireside Chat: Trust as a Tool in the Workplace
We'll chat with an expert on proven ways to strengthen trust across key groups at work.
Reflection + Breakout Discussion
Review your self-assessment and refine your strategy with group insights.
Scaling Intentionally With HR Tech
The tools we use have an outsized impact on how we do business. What data-driven solutions can help companies reduce bias while staying compliant?
- The Role of HR Tech in Protecting Workplace Equity
- The Metrics That Win Budget (and the tools that track them)
- AI + HR Tech Without the Buzzwords
- Centralizing data without 'duct-taping' solutions
Tech Stack Planning + Breakout Discussion
Reflect on your team needs and how your current tools may or may not be getting you there
Case Study: Does AI Have a Place In Performance Reviews?
Learn what happened when a global team introduced AI into their review process.
Reflection + Breakout Discussion
Review your self-assessment and refine your strategy with group insights.