What return on investment should shareholders anticipate from CEO compensation? Over the past decade, CEO pay has increased alongside significant shareholder gains. This session will explore the relationship between CEO compensation and shareholder returns, identifying key traits of organizations that achieve exceptional ROI per dollar spent on executive pay, examining industry-specific factors and time-based trends. Join us to uncover the dynamics of executive compensation and its impact on shareholder value, offering insights into how organizations can align CEO pay with sustainable growth and performance.

Speakers:

Charles Smith, Senior Principal, Mercer

Ryan Cameron, Principal, Mercer

Geography has become a key factor in reshaping compensation strategies in the post-pandemic era. In this session, we’ll reveal exclusive insights from Mercer’s U.S. Benchmark Database, which covers over 7 million U.S. employees, to explore how factors like remote work, rising costs of living and local talent supply and demand are influencing pay decisions. More than just data, this session will address the real-world implications of geographic pay for both employers and employees. Gain practical, actionable strategies to recalibrate compensation programs, ensuring they remain competitive and aligned with their talent markets. Learn how to leverage data to develop tailored compensation strategies that support workforce mobility, inform strategic workforce planning, and guide real estate decisions in response to evolving business needs.

Speakers:

Lauren Mason, Partner, Mercer

Belinda Roberts, US&C Data and Insights Leader, Mercer

Bryan Briscoe, VP, Rewards and HR Operations, TK Elevator

Pay transparency isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. As societal expectations evolve and global legislation, like the EU Pay Transparency Directive, reshapes the landscape, organizations must navigate complex demands for fair and equitable pay across regions. Is pay transparency a universal right or a localized requirement?

In this session, Mercer’s Global Pay Transparency survey insights will reveal how organizations are addressing this challenge worldwide. We’ll deep dive into a case study on Adobe's journey, from responding to California’s legislation to developing a global roadmap and action plan for the EU Directive. Gain actionable strategies, lessons learned, and a roadmap for shifting from reactive compliance to a proactive, talent-driven approach—reducing risks and reaping the rewards of a transparent future.

Speakers:

Tauseef Rahman, Partner, Mercer

Swati Radhakrishnan, Senior Director, Global Compensation, Adobe

Employers can harness data from their benefits administration systems to gain powerful insights into employee behavior and preferences, enabling a more strategic approach to Total Rewards. By analyzing participation rates, claims data and employee feedback, organizations can uncover trends and patterns that reveal how employees interact with their benefits. These insights allow employers to predict future behaviors and refine their Total Rewards offerings to align with employee needs and expectations. This session will demonstrate how effectively leveraging AI and statistical analysis from your benefits administration system can drive smarter decisions, boost engagement and create a more satisfied and loyal workforce.

Speaker:

Holly Hubbell, Senior Principal, Mercer

Is adopting a skills-based approach worth the effort? Join us for an engaging debate between Johnson & Johnson and Mercer as they explore this pivotal question. Johnson & Johnson will share their success story, showcasing the transformative benefits of becoming a skills-powered organization. Mercer will provide a balanced perspective, highlighting potential pitfalls and offering proven strategies for implementing a skills-based approach effectively. As roles evolve and industries shift, organizations must stay agile. While adopting a skills-based framework can be complex, it enhances agility, supports career mobility, and unlocks long-term value. However, addressing key challenges is crucial to ensure success.

Don’t miss this lively and informative session to learn how to maximize the benefits of a skills strategy while navigating potential risks.

Speakers:

Jessica Kennedy, Partner, Mercer

Molly Leeds, Senior Principal, Skills Solution Lead, Mercer

Christina Norris-Watts, Head of Assessment & People Practices, Johnson & Johnson

Hourly employees make up over half of the U.S. workforce and are essential to our economy—yet their needs and aspirations are often overlooked. With long-term labor shortages, rising living costs, and a resurgence of labor activism, employers must act now to adapt their strategies and address these urgent challenges. In this session, we’ll explore the unique needs and values of today’s hourly workforce, drawing insights from Mercer’s 2025 Inside Employees’ Minds study.

Hear from the panel as they share innovative strategies and real-world experiences from diverse industries, showcasing successful approaches in attracting and retaining hourly talent. In a world where small pay differences can have a big impact, traditional approaches are no longer an option. Join us to discover actionable steps for effectively engaging hourly employees in this new era, leveraging the power of pay, benefits, careers, and the work experience itself.

Speakers:

Lisa Stella - Partner, Career Business Leader - Southern California, Mercer

Andre Rooks - Partner, Mercer

Amber Wootton - VP Total Rewards, HR Technology & Payroll, Clarios

Tammi Markovich - Director, Global Compensation, Masco

Nancy Valdivia Antoniou - Chief Human Resources Officer, LA Times

In today’s fast-paced work environment, recognition plays a pivotal role in enhancing employee engagement by delivering real-time rewards. This Case Study focuses on Genmab, a global biotechnology company, and their journey to design a modern recognition program tailored to meet their workforce’s evolving needs. The session will highlight the importance of modern recognition, defining what it entails, how it differs from traditional approaches and emphasize its importance in driving employee engagement. Learn how implementing technology-enabled recognition programs can align with broader Total Rewards strategies and significantly boost engagement.

This session will provide you with a practical blueprint for gaining leadership approval, illustrating how to overcome skepticism and build executive support for modern recognition initiatives. Join us to gain actionable insights and strategies for elevating your recognition efforts and fostering deeper employee connection and commitment within your organization.

Speakers:

Kanak Rajan - Partner, Mercer

John Land - Chief Advocacy Officer, Vantage Circle

Devann Steele - Vice President, Enterprise Compensation, Total Rewards, Humana Inc.