State governments are bracing for a historic shift in their workforce. MissionSquare Research Institute reports that 46% of public sectors employers expect the most significant wave of retirements is still ahead—yet 61% have no formal succession planning process in place. For State HR Personnel Directors, this is more than a staffing challenge—it’s a leadership imperative. This 60‑minute workshop is designed to share ideas and practices to help you safeguard institutional knowledge, strengthen workforce resilience, and modernize succession planning across your state agencies. Proven strategies for capturing and transferring critical expertise before it’s lost. Building cross‑trained, future‑ready HR teams that can adapt to leadership transitions. Leveraging technology to identify mission‑critical roles, assess retirement risk, develop successors, and track readiness through analytics. The session blends best‑practice insights from peers, technology capabilities, and interactive discussions so you leave with a practical plan.

AI is reshaping work at a speed unseen since the Industrial Revolution. For HR executives, the natural reaction is concern: job displacement, ethical risk, or a loss of the “human” in human resources. But the reality is different. When thoughtfully deployed, AI doesn’t replace HR—it amplifies it. It enables HR to shift from process execution to strategic workforce leadership, creating capacity for innovation, equity, and engagement.

State-leave paid family and medical programs are reshaping the national landscape, creating a complex and dynamic policy environment for personnel leaders. As more states implement or expand their own programs, understanding these variations can help state HR and personnel leaders identify best practices, track emerging models, and explore opportunities for policy innovation.

AI & Workforce Intelligence: Navigating Policy, Compliance & Workforce Strategy in 2025

Amid talent shortages, shifting workforce demographics, and new AI legislation, government HR leaders are navigating unprecedented complexity. AI and workforce intelligence are no longer future-facing concepts, they're tools reshaping how agencies hire, retain, and plan for the road ahead. But with innovation comes the need for clarity, compliance, and responsible adoption.

In this session, Shawn Squire - Generative AI Implementation Specialist with a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and M.S. in Computer Science, will break down what AI means for public sector HR. Designed for all levels of technical experience, the session explores real-world use cases and practical strategies for adopting AI in ways that are aligned with workforce goals.