Humans: The Future of Work
Humans: The Future of Work
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AGENDA
8:00am – Doors Open & Networking (Hot Coffee and Herbal Teas provided)
8:30am – Welcome!
8:35am – Stew Darling presents:
YOUR MISSION - SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT: Unlock Purpose. Inspire Action. Lead with Clarity.
10:00am – Break (More Coffee!?)
10:15am – Liesel Mertes presents:
HANDLE WITH CARE: How to Create a Culture of Empathy at Work
12:15pm – Lunch, Networking & Explore the Aquarium!
1:15pm – Morning Debrief
1:30pm – Chris Rollins presents:
MAKE MOMENTS MATTER: Creating a Culture of Belonging Through the Ripple Effects of Human Connection.
2:45pm – Closing Experience
3:15pm – Group Photo
3:30pm – Rooftop Happy Hour presented by Fisher\SMB
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The pace of workplace change is relentless. New technologies are reshaping organizations, trust is at an all-time low, uncertainty is everywhere, and leaders wonder if they have what it takes to succeed. In this disconnected world of work, human-centric skills matter more than ever.
Humans: The Future of Work is a dynamic, one-day learning immersion that empowers leaders, managers, and teams with actionable insights to navigate the changing world of work with confidence, empathy, and purpose.
Whether you’re a team leader, HR professional, or mission-driven change-maker, this event will leave you energized, equipped, and ready to build workplaces where both your bottom line and your people thrive.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
- Stew Darling, the CEO of Unstoppable Force and a former Lieutenant Colonel of British Military Intelligence will kick off the day. His stories of spy-craft and strategy inspire participants to embrace growth through meaningful change, becoming unreasonable in their pursuit of excellence.
Stew will present:
YOUR MISSION - SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT: Unlock Purpose. Inspire Action. Lead with Clarity.
- Liesel Mertes, workplace empathy expert and founder of Handle w/ Care Consulting, equips you to combat both compassion and change fatigue at work, weaving together client stories, compelling data, and integrative reflection so you can create sustainable cultures of care that people want to join.
Liesel will present:
HANDLE WITH CARE: How to Create a Culture of Empathy at Work
- Chris Rollins, the founder of Ripple Effect Leadership and former Organizational Development executive, helps leaders eliminate Invisible Friction™ and turn everyday interactions into the trust, collaboration, and speed you need to deliver results. Through vulnerable storytelling, powerful connection exercises, and the Start a Ripple Postcard Movement, attendees feel the impact in real time—and leave feeling changed.
Chris will present:
MAKE MOMENTS MATTER: Creating a Culture of Belonging Through the Ripple Effects of Human Connection.
Delicious lunch included and FREE access to the Aquarium available all day during breaks.
DO YOU WORK IN HR? --> 4.5 SHRM and HRCI credits will be offered through a special partnership with SHRM Pinellas.
🥂 JUST ANNOUNCED 🥂
Immediately following the event, Fisher\SMB will be sponsoring a happy hour on the beautiful rooftop balcony of the Aquarium from 3:30pm - 5:00pm.
WATCH 2025 EVENT RECAP
Join us for this day of fresh perspectives and actionable insights.
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Please view our sponsorship opportunities here, or reach out to Chris Rollins (chris@chrisrollins.me) for more information about ways to partner together and create meaningful impact for your business and our community.
HAPPY HOUR SPONSOR

SUPPORTING SPONSORS


COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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Location
The Florida Aquarium, 33602