Repost from Transform 2023
As I prepare to attend Transform 2024, I realized that my reflections from 2023 were posted on my old site. I am excited to be back soon with my HR folks in Vegas!
Original Post from my personal Notion webpage - March 31, 2023
Transform for the Better, Together | You Belong Here
March 27 - 29, 2023 | MGM Grand, Las Vegas
I am a Team Builder | I am a Boundary Breaker | I am a Difference Maker
All I keep thinking is Wow
I thought I was ready for Transform 2023 being equipped with my experience organizing networking events for HR executives. But wow, was I blown away by how the week turned out! The staff were friendly, professional and helpful, making sure we knew where to go and keeping us caffeinated ☕️. The speakers were impressive and prompted us to consider a variety of topics to take back to work with us. And the expo center was just beautiful! Every day we got emails reminding us of what was coming up and a recap of the day, and who wouldn’t love some puppy attention 🐶 The Transform team really gave it their all, and it definitely showed all throughout the week.
The significant change for me is that I can now participate in HR discussions using my own experience and am provided the opportunity to apply the lessons I learned back at work. As we return to our day-to-days, we reflect on the numerous ideas that we would like to explore further, but as soon as we return, it is easy to be pulled away from the forward-thinking mindset we left Transform with and are forced back to putting out current fires. I dare us to continue to ask ourselves the questions that came of this week and reflect on them as we go into the next day, quarter and year.
This week has also reminded me the importance of community. One individual I met commented on how each time we passed someone, they knew my name and I knew theirs. Between The PEER 150 members and partners in my “past” life, to the connections I have made as an People & Project Leader, we are all intertwined into a small circle. With 2,500+ attendees at this year’s Transform, it might not feel that way as it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Once we start reaching out and saying hello though, we are reminded at just how small our world is.
Notes from (some) sessions
Just to warn you, I took notes with my "Organized Chaos" notebook instead of on my laptop to avoid distractions. However, my handwriting can be difficult to read at times (even by the author), so I apologize in advance for any half notes you may receive 😅
I also did not attend every meeting (unfortunately I cannot clone myself) and I chose not to take notes during some conversations so I could fully participate.
Putting Continuous Career Progression Into Practice
Breaking the Workforce Copy Machine: Leading with Employees in Mind
Interview with a Modern Elder: Demystifying Wisdom at Work
Short notes from multiple sessions
💗 Thank you
There are people that made this week possible & amazing for me.
My fearless leader, mentor and advocate Leia Marshall who introduced me to the idea of going to Transform and who I missed dearly this week. I look forward to making memories together at Transform 2024 🎉🥂
My parents, for without their support this last week I wouldn’t have made the last minute decision to attend. I also wouldn’t be the strong, outgoing, boundary breaker that I am today without their unparalleled dedication to our family.
Kim Rohrer, mentor and friend who has welcomed me with open arms into her life and introduced me to every soul who walked by us this week, making my small world even larger. Kim’s perspective on the world, how to be a People first org and how to just be a good human amaze me and push me to do better in my own life.
Jesse Freese, who at one point I would just introduce as my “Sequoia guy”, but now is a thought partner and friend, and who also leads an amazing community of individuals at StartupExperts. He and Holly put so much time and effort into creating opportunities for members of StartupExperts to gather and discuss how the week was going, have some fun, and even try amazing food.
I couldn’t thank Jesse without thanking all the people from StartupExperts who attended Transform and made space for introductions, thought conversations and fun. I am excited to continue the experience as we gather on slack and in person in the future.
And my new friend Vanessa Ortiz. Thank you for your wisdom, laughter and joy. I am confident that there are new adventures ahead of us and I’m sorry the only photo I got of us is blurry - I needed an excuse for us to get together soon to take more pictures!
