Join us virtually on May 15 for an enriching experience featuring industry leaders and special guests.
The deadline for registrations is May 13 at 5 p.m. ET.
10:50 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ET
Welcome Note
Kick off the day with an energizing welcome from two Staffbase leaders who are passionate about inspiring better internal communication. They’ll set the tone for the event, share what’s in store, and highlight how today’s sessions will help you address the “elephants in the room” that communicators face every day.
Lindsey Sullivan – Group Product Marketing & Strategy Manager, Staffbase
David Burnand – Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Staffbase
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET
The Elephant in the Room: Bridging the Employee Trust Gap
Employee trust in leadership is more fragile than ever in 2025. From one side, employees face relentless change — a post-COVID work landscape, return-to-office mandates, layoffs, and restructuring. At the same time, businesses face seismic shifts driven by factors including Al, inflation, global competition, and political upheaval. The paradox is clear: companies must transform rapidly, but each change widens the trust gap for employees.
In this year's VOICES keynote, Staffbase Founder and CEO Martin Böhringer confronts a massive elephant in the room: How can leaders be inspirational when trust is shaken and even shattered? Join Martin as he explores how professional communicators can turn today's challenges into opportunities to redefine their roles and empower business decisions at every level. This session is a call to action: It's time to inspire change in a fractured workplace and tackle this elephant in the room — together.
Martin Böhringer – CEO, Staffbase
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Keynote: The Butterfly Effect of Communications
As the bestselling author of books including Revenge of the Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell brings a unique perspective to the world of communication. His groundbreaking work explores how small, strategic shifts can spark significant cultural changes. By examining the intersection of storytelling, audience engagement, and behavioral dynamics, Malcolm equips communicators with the tools to craft impactful messages that resonate and endure.
In this keynote address, Malcolm will delve into the immense power of communication, sharing insights from his books and research to reveal how even modest efforts can drive profound organizational transformation. Prepare to leave this session with fresh inspiration and a deeper understanding of harnessing communication as a catalyst for meaningful change.
Malcolm Gladwell – Author of Eight New York Times Bestsellers, Including Revenge of the Tipping Point
12:30 p.m. - 12:35 p.m. ET
Break
12:35 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET
The Forgotten Stakeholder During Crises
In times of crisis, companies often rely on a well-oiled machine of crisis managers to navigate external communications — yet the most critical and sometimes overlooked stakeholders are the employees who sustain the business through turbulent periods. When things go wrong, employees can be a company’s most valuable asset for reassuring stakeholders and building credibility. However, during crisis communications, employees are often left without transparent updates or clear guidelines on what to say and how to support their organizations effectively.
This session explores key insights from recent corporate challenges, highlighting how leaders effectively leveraged transparency, organizational values, and actionable strategies to build trust, sustain engagement, and foster long-term resilience. You’ll learn how prioritizing employee communication first with clarity and empathy not only strengthens internal trust but also empowers organizations to navigate adversity and emerge stronger than ever.
Jill Tyson – Practice Leader, Google (Mandiant) Crisis Communications
Erin Green – VP of Communications at Docusign
Faryl Ury – Head of Corporate Affairs & Executive Director of Global Communications at General Motors
Jim Olson – Head of Brand & Communications at Avelo Airlines, Former Chief Communications Officer at United Airlines
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
Too Hot to Handle: HR and Communications Leaders Address Hot Button Topics
Do employees really need to be in the office to be productive — or is RTO more about control than collaboration? Should political conversations be encouraged or avoided at all costs? How much do employees and customers actually care — and does it drive loyalty?
Join us for an electrifying panel discussion as seasoned HR and Communications leaders from top companies tackle today’s most urgent workplace challenges. Gain insider perspectives on navigating complex issues in workplace culture, employee engagement, and corporate responsibility — and discover the answers to the questions shaping the future of work.
Eloiza Domingo – Former Global Chief Diversity Officer at Astellas, Former VP of HR at Allstate , and Founder of FourTen LLC
Catherine Anderson – Fractional CCO, Former Comms Leader at Apple, Google, Meta, Anthropic
Victoria Barnes – VP of Communications, Headspace
Andrew Blotky – Former VP of Communications at Johnson & Johnson and Founder of Azure Leadership Group
2:00 p.m. - 2:05 p.m. ET
Break
2:05 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. ET
Breaking Through: Building Influence, Credibility & Strategic Value as an Internal Communicator
Internal communicators are no strangers to navigating a challenging landscape. Too often, they find themselves perceived as tactical executors rather than strategic leaders. In 2025, many face a unique set of career challenges: earning a seat at the table, proving the strategic value of their role to executives, and navigating complex organizational dynamics.
In this invigorating session, Global Peak Performance Educator and Scholar-Practitioner Shadé Zahrai will equip communicators with the tools to strengthen their influence and accelerate their career growth. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to build credibility and clearly demonstrate the impact of internal communications — to position themselves as indispensable strategic partners within their organizations.
Andrea Holland – Head of PR, Americas, Staffbase
Shadé Zahrai – Award-Winning Leadership Strategist, Global Peak Performance Educator & Scholar Practitioner, LinkedIn Top Voice
2:50 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. ET
How Staffbase Innovates with Business Outcomes at the Center
Understanding the context of employees is more critical than ever as organizations navigate evolving workplace dynamics. Communicators, HR leaders, and IT teams are charged with building trust and fostering confidence through impactful messaging and experiences — and leveraging the right technology can be a game-changer.
In this session, Lara Dobson, VP of Product Marketing at Staffbase, will address some of today's biggest communications and employee experience trends, including the rise of AI and employee distrust. She’ll share how CommsTech advancements are transforming how teams inspire and engage their workforce. Attendees will also gain exclusive insights into new tools and strategies designed to elevate strategic engagement and drive measurable results.
Lara Dobson – VP of Product Marketing, Staffbase
Jasmina Grase – Group Product Manager, MiCo & AI, Staffbase
Dada Lin – VP of Product, App & Intranet, Staffbase
Gonia Cholewa – Senior Product Design Manager, Staffbase
Valerii Geller – Senior Product Manager, SB Email, Staffbase
3:40 p.m. – 4:25 p.m. ET
Creating Cultures That Work for Everyone: A New Era for Organizations
The landscape of workplace culture in North America is undergoing seismic shifts as political and cultural pressures reshape priorities and approaches. While the acronym “DEI” may face increased scrutiny, the core work of building fair and thriving workplace cultures continues. This period is an opportunity for communicators to focus on fundamental principles of fairness, respect, and belonging that underpin successful organizational cultures.
In this session, Joelle Emerson will explore how organizations can navigate this changing landscape and continue to create impactful strategies that benefit all employees and resonate in today’s environment. She will highlight how internal communicators can continue to embed equitable and inclusive practices into organizational culture, and leverage data to illustrate the positive impact of these efforts on the entire workforce.
Joelle Emerson – CEO Paradigm, Civil Rights Lawyer, Adjunct Professor at Stanford University Graduate School of Business
4:25 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Break
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
Beyond Burnout: Building Employee Engagement and Resilience Through a Culture of Well-Being
As organizations face ongoing internal and external challenges — such as economic uncertainty, policy changes, and internal business transformations — the need to cultivate an authentic culture of well-being and trust has never been more urgent, especially as rates of burnout and disengagement continue to climb.
In this fireside chat, Arianna Huffington, founder & CEO of Thrive Global, will explore how companies can authentically tackle burnout and disengagement. She will share actionable strategies for communicators and HR professionals to sculpt a thriving, resilient workforce.
Arianna will also highlight the critical role internal communicators play in navigating these challenges, emphasizing the importance of balancing their own well-being while supporting employees through stress and change. Attendees will gain valuable insights into rebuilding trust, inspiring teams, and cultivating a culture of engagement.
Arianna Huffington – Founder & CEO of Thrive Global
Neil Morrison – Chief People Officer, Staffbase
5:00 p.m. – 5:05 p.m. ET
Endnote
To close out the day on a high note, we’ll recap the biggest highlights and offer an exciting sneak peek into what Staffbase has planned for the year ahead — before we reveal the VOICES Awards recipients.
Lindsey Sullivan – Group Product Marketing & Strategy Manager, Staffbase
David Burnand – Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Staffbase
5:05 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET
VOICES AWARDS 2025
This year, Staffbase invited customers to showcase their outstanding use of the employee communications platform by submitting nominations in the following categories:
• Best Launch Strategy
• Best Content Format
• Best Inspiration Project
• Best Business Impact
In this session, the Best Business Impact Award winner will highlight what stood out about their communications campaign. After reviewing an impressive range of applications, we’re excited to announce the winner, whose innovative communication strategy has set a new standard for inspiration, engagement, and measurable impact. Join us to celebrate the award recipient and hear firsthand how they created a truly exceptional employee experience.
Tara Walker – Sr. Director of Customer Success Americas, Staffbase
David Maffei – GM of Americas, Staffbase