The Evolution of Leadership
As organizations transform so must its leaders to meet the changing demands of the workplace, customers, communities, and other key stakeholders. Our Linkage CEO will lead a critical conversation with a panel of executives from industry leading organizations to deep dive into how they have been successful given this challenge as exemplars in their respective industries with an unwavering commitment grounded in civility.
Brian K. Dickens, SHRM-SCP
Brian Dickens is the chief human resources officer for the University of Tennessee System. In this role, Dickens is responsible for planning, developing and implementing statewide initiatives that support employee engagement. Areas of administration include system recruitment, employee and organizational development, compensation, inclusion, diversity and engagement, data analytics, reporting, payroll, benefits and retirement services. The office also works to ensure compliance with federal, state and University labor standards and policies. He collaborates with UT system, campus and institute leadership, human resources officers and diversity officers. Dickens joined the UT System on Dec. 1, 2019, following a national search. Dickens earned a B.S. in Biology and M.A. in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University.
Tracy Layney
Tracy Layney is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Levi Strauss & Co. Tracy is responsible for LS&Co.’s people strategy on a global scale, including diversity, equity & inclusion, recruiting, employee engagement, talent management, compensation, and benefits, HR technology and HR communications.
Tracy brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources and organization strategy to her role. Prior to joining LS&Co., she served as senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Shutterfly, Inc., the leading retailer of personalized photo-based products. Before Shutterfly, Tracy spent 10 years at Gap Inc., where she held numerous senior leadership roles in HR, most recently serving as the senior vice president of Global Human Resources and Communications for Old Navy. Prior to Gap Inc., Tracy held positions at LS&Co. and PricewaterhouseCoopers/IBM Business Consulting Services where she worked with Fortune 500 clients in the high tech, financial services, retail, and healthcare industries on projects ranging from organization design and development to strategic change management.
Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated magna cum laude. She is active in the HR thought leader community and serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Foundation. In her free time, Tracy loves to cook and share great food and wine with family and friends. She has a life-long love of dance, theater, and art, and is passionate about travel, visiting destinations near and far with her husband and son.
Annette Wooters
Annette Wooters is Chief Executive Officer of the Far West Division of Healthtrust Supply Chain, having spent the past 15 years serving HealthTrust and HCA Healthcare patients in a number of Supply Chain leadership roles across three markets.
Annette has worked in both the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, leading teams across a broad spectrum of products and countries. Annette has successfully led Supply Chain teams in disaster recovery after tornado, hurricane, mass casualty and pandemic events, demonstrating her commitment to Servant Leadership principles of service and sacrifice.
Annette holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Rockford College, an M.B.A in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University, as well as CMRP and FAHRMM certifications.
Annette believes that Supply Chain is a key member of the indirect patient care team, integrated with Clinicians in order to deliver safe, responsibly priced, and compassionate care to our patients and their families. Supply Chain brings a special set of skills to this partnership, and Annette believes the key to success is in marrying the best attributes of our technical ability and our engaged teams to deliver operational excellence.
Tamla Oates-Forney
Tamla Oates-Forney is an innovative thought leader and speaker, women’s advocate, wellness champion, philanthropist and investor. She serves as CEO of Linkage, a SHRM company, a global leadership development firm committed to advancing women and accelerating inclusion in leaders and organizations.
Tamla previously served as EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for USAA, where as a member of the Executive Council she led USAA’s team of more than 500 HR professionals spanning talent development, talent acquisition, pay and benefits, culture and employee services for 37,000 teammates.
Prior to joining USAA, Tamla served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at WM (previously Waste Management). She spent the majority of her career (20 years) at General Electric, where she held multiple leadership roles, including HR Leader for GE Africa, Chief Diversity Officer for GE Appliances and Lighting, and Vice President of HR for GE Energy Connections.
Tamla is also an independent director and member of the Human Capital and Compensation committee for Summit Materials. She serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for her alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, and is a sought-after speaker, advisor and thought leader for several HR-related technology startups.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration. A renowned expert in her field, she has received multiple honors, including being featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business and Savoy’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America. She is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), a network of black CEOs and business leaders who support the development of diverse talent and the promotion of social justice.
Tamla enjoys spending time with her husband, Warren, and their two children, Annia (25) and Camden (15). She also enjoys traveling to Africa, discovering new vegan restaurants, working out, and watching interior design shows on HGTV. She is a member of the 1% club having completed a marathon in 2018.
|