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Pat Wadors

Transformational HR Leader & Strategist, Top 50 Women in Tech, Chief People Officer of UKG

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A transformative HR and HCM leader and strategist for top technology companies, Pat Wadors currently serves as Chief People Officer (CPO) of UKG, a global powerhouse of HR, payroll, and workforce management solutions that is known for its award-winning culture. In this role, she oversees the critical HR functions that bring UKG’s employee experience to life, including talent acquisition and development, compensation and benefits, employee listening and people analytics, HR technology, employee communications, and physical security. Her mission is to create a positive and engaging experience for UKG’s 14,000+ workforce at every touchpoint—from a candidate’s first contact to building a robust alumni network of brand and culture ambassadors.

 

Before joining UKG, Pat was CPO at Procore Technologies, leading the company through expansive growth, and Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) at ServiceNow, overseeing global employee resources and talent and helping the company scale. She has held multiple HR leadership positions in the tech world, with tenures at LinkedIn, Plantronics, Twitter, Align Technologies, and Yahoo! Pat is a current board member of Accolade, Inc. and a past board member of UKG, Zenefits, El Camino Hospital, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara County, where she also served as Chair.

 

 A thought leader in HR, Pat has had numerous articles published in The Harvard Business Review. She is a multiple recipient of the National Diversity Council’s Top 50 Women in Technology award and the creator of the DIB (Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging) framework, which champions employee belonging as the key driver of employee satisfaction and retention. An evocative and inspiring speaker, Pat has spoken to audiences around the world, including LinkedIn, The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Association of Talent Development, the Boston Consulting Group, and Talent Connect.

 

A self-identified “Mom to 3 Millennials” and “introvert in a leadership role” (who tirelessly works to embrace the quieter voices), Pat’s empathy, authenticity, insights, and talent for storytelling make her a standout speaker. Pat’s talks both challenge the mind and touch the heart while providing actionable expertise on every aspect of HR, leadership, or looking ahead to the future of work.

Speaking Topics

The ease equation: how you can do better (and feel better) with less

Leaders and teams are feeling the pressure of a "Do More with Less" era. Demands for increased productivity with fewer resources are creating more stress and stifling innovation. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this fun and interactive keynote, Dr. Simone Ahuja presents the Less Makes Better approach practical strategy that empowers teams to focus on the resources they already have, so they can do better and feel better with less. Drawing on insights from her bestselling books and work with leading organizations, Dr. Ahuja introduces a simple framework to turn massive challenges into manageable actions and transform overwhelm into engagement. If you're looking for an optimistic, actionable keynote that equips your teams to be more productive, more innovative, and feel more energized in a fast-changing world, The Ease Equation is an experience you won't want to miss. 

A.i. unlocked: simplify, innovate, and lead with less

In today's fast-paced world, your teams need more than just ideas-they need focus, effective execution, and the right tools to get results with fewer resources. In this keynote, Dr. Simone Ahuja reveals how Al can help you do better with less by simplifying work, boosting productivity, and accelerating innovation. With relatable examples and actionable insights, Dr. Ahuja will show you exactly how to use Al to cut through the noise, get clear on what truly matters, and turn ideas into action - without the overwhelm. If you're ready to move from embracing Al to activating the power of Al, this talk demystifies the exact process and offers a step-by-step approach to leveraging Al for better problem-solving, higher engagement, and maximum impact-at work (and at home!) 

Accelerating sales transformation: unleashing customer-centric innovation for an effortless yes

Unlock the transformative power of customer-centric innovation in driving sales excellence. This session is specially crafted for sales teams so you can revolutionize your approach and energize teams to achieve unparalleled growth. Discover vital strategies to consistently elevate sales potential with a simple, proven customer-centric framework. With it, you'll learn how to shift focus from assumptions to a genuine understanding of your customers' needs and communicate in a language that resonates with them. It doesn't have to be hard, and it's a lot more fun when it's almost effortless for your customers to say 'YES' to your offerings. 

The intrapreneur's playbook: empowering intrapreneurs to lead everyday innovation

Imagine if your organization's most game-changing ideas weren't just coming from the top but from passionate intrapreneurs throughout your teams. Dr. Simone Ahuja's engaging keynote, The Intrapreneur's Playbook, unlocks the everyday innovation potential of every team member, accelerating progress toward your organization's goals. Drawing on insights from her book Disrupt It Yourself, Simone provides a simple, actionable roadmap to help attendees turn their ideas into impactful actions aligned with company objectives-without adding to leadership's workload. Your audience will learn how to select the best ideas and leave with practical tools to put them into action immediately. They'll build clarity and confidence in their ability to drive results - at work - and beyond, empowering them to make a meaningful impact wherever they are. 

Being you at work: the power of authentic leadership

Being authentic at work isn't about oversharing or holding back-it's about feeling safe to be yourself so you can lead with clarity, creativity, and confidence. In this engaging keynote, Dr. Simone Ahuja reveals how genuine leadership at every level can fuel productivity, innovation, and a culture of trust. Drawing from her bestselling books and experience driving innovation and culture change with global organizations, Simone shares practical insights and actionable steps to help attendees build better relationships, have difficult yet productive conversations, and lead with purpose. 

Glow up your problem solving: how to harness your unique power to drive innovation

In a world that's always changing, staying on top means staying innovative - not just for companies, but for you, too. We all bring something unique to the table, but are we really using our differences to spark change and make real impact? Join Dr. Simone Ahuja in this fun and engaging keynote, where you'll learn how to harness your own diversity and turn it into your superpower for solving problems better and faster - regardless of your title or resources. Learn how unique perspectives lead to fresh ideas and big wins, both for your career and your company. Simone will also share how you can help create a culture where everyone feels safe to speak up and step into your role as an Intrapreneur, an in-house entrepreneur, who knows how to take a great idea and make things happen. 

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