Johnny C. Taylor Jr. to deliver keynote speech at Global AI x HR Conference in Africa

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Global, named one of the “300 Most Influential Executives in Corporate America” is set to deliver the keynote address at the Global Conference on Human Resources in Africa (GCHRA) on October 24-25, 2024 at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.

GCHRA, a novel Human Resources conference, will bring together leading global business leaders, policymakers, technologists, educators, and Human Resources practitioners to engage in cutting-edge insights and robust discussions on the future of HR in Africa.

Mr. Taylor’s keynote will align with the GCHRA’s theme, “A Global Discourse on Exploring the Emergence and Dynamics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Resource Technologies in Africa”.

"I am thrilled to give the keynote address at GCHRA’s inaugural conference,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., adding “This historic event marks the first time SHRM has had the privilege of speaking in person in Ghana, and I can think of no better location for HR professionals to convene and collectively examine how AI and HR technology are reshaping the future of work globally and on the continent of Africa. As HR professionals, we must lead the conversation on how to embrace and prepare our workforce for the advent of this game-changing technology by reinventing recruiting, talent management, employee engagement, and other strategic functions that will shape the future of HR in Africa and beyond."

With a career spanning more than 20 years as a lawyer, human resources executive, and CEO in both the not-for-profit and for-profit spaces, including senior and chief executive roles at IAC/InteractiveCorp, Viacom's Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster Entertainment Group, the McGuireWoods law firm, and Compass Group USA, Mr. Taylor is poised to share insights, experiences, and strategies that will shape the future of HR in Africa and beyond.

Irene Asare, Global HR Executive and Board Member at BBC News (U.K. and Ghana) will also be speaking at the event. She has extensive experience leading HR teams in roles such as Head of HR, Business Transformation, and Organisational Effectiveness for various multinationals, including Tullow Oil, Vodafone, Standard Bank, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Serco. She is an award-winning HR professional with multiple industry accolades, FMCIPD qualified, with an Executive MBA and Master’s in Human Resources Management.

Dr. Francis Eduku, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM), has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources Management. Skilled in Organizational Development, Change Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Talent Management, Succession Planning, HR Consulting, Leadership Development, and Performance Management, among others, he was named one of the Top 50 HR Leaders in Africa in 2018 and adjudged the Best HR Professional in Ghana in 2019.

David Ssegawa is a Ugandan business and Human Capital management leader who has provided strategic direction as Human Resources Director at leading global multinational organizations, including Unilever, The Standard Bank of South Africa, and The Coca-Cola Company. He is the Group Human Resources

Director at Equity Bank Limited (Kenya). With over 20 years of experience, he has mentored and coached many professionals to become top business leaders across Africa and globally.

Dr. Najat El Mahdy is the Chair of the Qatar HR Forum and Director of Strategy, Organisational Development, and HR at Qatar Financial Centre Regulation Authority (QFCRA) (Qatar).

Other confirmed speakers and panelists are Emily M. Dickens, Head of Government Affairs and the Chief of Staff at SHRM (U.S.); Samuel Brooksworth, Founder and CEO of Remoteli; Fatoumata Doro, Former MD of Vlisco, Ecobank Board Member (Niger); Farida Bedwei, Platform Product Consultant at Digital Opportunity Trust and Former Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft (Ghana); Prathan Powell Jr., CEO and President of Black in HR (U.S.); Winnie Frimpong, Lead People Scientist and Business Psychologist, Formerly with CultureAmp (U.K); Khyati Sundaram, CEO of Applied (U.K.) and Khaled Sassi, CEO of Novative (Switzerland).

The #GCHRA24 conference will provide invaluable perspectives on how AI and HR technologies can be harnessed to foster growth and innovation in Africa’s workplaces. The event will give access to pioneering ideas from global thought leaders in AI and HR technologies.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with global participants, including HR professionals, tech enthusiasts, and industry leaders. There will also be practical workshops designed to equip attendees with the latest HR tech skills and strategies, as well as global online accessibility and SHRM recertification credits.

#GCHRA24 also presents dynamic opportunities for companies interested in learning more about Africa’s workforce and business landscape.

For more information and to register to watch Mr. Taylor’s keynote in person or virtually, visit http://www.gchrafrica.com.

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