Friday Seminars

2024 SIOP Annual Conference

Friday Seminars

Welcome from DaHee Shon, SIOP Friday Seminars Chair!

The annual SIOP Friday Seminars provide attendees with an opportunity to dive into the latest I-O psychology topics and learn from scholars and practitioners in our field. Participants will be able to interact not only with the presenters but also with other attendees. Each Friday Seminar is 3 hours in length and most of them offer continuing education credits. Registration for each seminar is limited to 50 people to facilitate intimate, small-group discussions.

 

Thank you to the 2023-2024 Friday Seminar Committee:

Chair: DaHee Shon, Meta

  • Raquel Asencio, Block, Inc.
  • Sarena Bhatia, Kincentric
  • James De Leon, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  • Tim Lisk, Meta
  • Alec Munc, Stealth Startup
  • Aspen Robinson, Accenture

Questions?

  • About the seminar content and presenters, contact the program coordinator identified for each Friday Seminar.
  • About registration and fees, please visit the Registration Rates page.
  • About continuing education, please visit the Continuing Education page.

Morning Seminars (8:30-11:30 a.m. CT)

Click on the Seminar Name to view the workshop description and speaker information.

Friday Seminar 1: AI Coaching: Navigating the Opportunities, Uses, and Perils

Date & Time:

Friday, April 19, 2024
 8:30-11:30 a.m. Central
 In-Person

 

Presenters:

  • Dr. Larry W. Norton, PhD, Principal, GeNovo Consulting, LLC
  • Dr. Joanie B. Connell, PhD, President, Flexible Work Solutions, Inc.
  • Dr. Rodney L. Lowman, PhD, ABAP, Visiting Professor, Dept. of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, SA, and President, Lowman & Richardson/Consulting Psychologists, PC, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Organizational Psychology Programs, CSPP, Alliant International University, San Diego

 

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator: Raquel Asencio, Block, Inc.

 

Intended Audience:

Intermediate. Business coaching experience and some familiarity with artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts are helpful, but neither is required.

 

Abstract:

Artificial intelligence (AI) based coaching is expanding rapidly. This interactive symposium offers emerging evidence and informed discussion surrounding what we know from the research to date, how AI coaching is applied, its technology basis, ethical dilemmas, and how AI coaching can be implemented responsibly and ethically in organizations and professional practice.  

 

Description:

The growing presence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace and beyond increasingly impacts many I-O psychologists’ work domains. One of these domains concerns the use of AI in leadership coaching. Although research is emerging, application and professional practice are racing ahead, leaving I-O psychologists with scant guidance as much remains to be explored about how, under what conditions, and with what consequences AI coaching manifests itself. We aim to offer emerging evidence and informed discussion surrounding what we know from the research to date, professional practice topics covering how AI coaching is applied, its technology basis, the ethical dilemmas, and how AI coaching can be implemented responsibly and ethically in organizations and practice. Participants will leave with a comprehensive and informed understanding of the current state of AI-powered coaching.

 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

  1. List three ways in which AI coaching is used in talent management practices in organizations.
  2. Identify three features of the AI “black box.”
  3. Cite two empirical findings from the research on the effectiveness of AI coaching.
  4. Identify three ethical concerns with the use of AI coaching.
  5. Cite two organizational-level governance factors important to consider when implementing AI coaching in an organization.

 

Presenter Biographies:

Larry Norton's headshotLarry W. Norton, PhD, Principal, GeNovo Consulting LLC

Background:

Norton is an organizational development consultant. He also has a faculty appointment as clinical professor at The University of Texas at Dallas Jindal School of Management. He works in large-scale organizational assessment and change, team interventions, talent management, assessment, and coaching. He has coauthored a manuscript on AI issues in psychology, currently under peer review; has edited and published peer-reviewed work on business strategy; and has presented on AI-related topics at conferences, some as an invited speaker. He is trained in I-O and social psychology and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and past president of APA Division 13 (Consulting).

Education:

  • PhD, I-O and Social Psychology, Texas Tech University
  • MS, Counseling Psychology, California State University-San Bernardino

 

Joanie B. Connell's headshotJoanie B. Connell, PhD, President, Flexible Work Solutions, Inc.

Background:

Connell is an organizational consultant who specializes in consulting on how technology affects human interactions at work. She has taught organizational psychology courses at the Rady School of Management at the University of California San Diego and the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. She is the author of two books, including Consulting to Technical Leaders, Teams, and Organizations: Building Leadership in STEM Environments, and has written a number of peer-reviewed journal articles. She currently serves on the board of the Society for Consulting Psychology (APA Division 13) and a is Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

Education:

  • PhD, Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
  • BA, Engineering Studies, Harvard University

 

Rodney L. Lowman's headshotRodney L. Lowman, PhD, ABAP, Visiting Professor, Dept. of Industrial Psychology and People Management, University of Johannesburg, SA, and President, Lowman & Richardson/Consulting Psychologists, PC, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Organizational Psychology Programs, CSPP, Alliant International University, San Diego

Background:

Lowman is the author/editor of 24 books and monographs, and over 130 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. He also edits the “Fundamentals of Consulting Psychology” book series for the American Psychological Association (APA), which currently includes 11 books.  He has focused especially on professional ethics and individual differences in career choice/development. He is Fellow of seven divisions of the American Psychological Association, 1 (Interdisciplinary), 10 (Creativity), 12, (Clinical) 13 (Consulting), 14 (I-O), 17 (Counseling), and 52 (International). His most recent book is Career Assessment: Integrating Interests, Abilities, and Personality.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O and Clinical Psychology, Michigan State University
  • MA, I-O and Clinical Psychology, Michigan State University
  • BA, Psychology, University of Oklahoma

 

Friday Seminar 2: Python Fundamentals-Data Manipulation, Data Visualization, Machine Learning, and More!

Date & Time:

Friday, April 19, 2024
8:30-11:30 a.m. Central
 In-Person

 

Presenters:

  • Dr. Yizhen Egyn Zhu, PhD, Machine Learning Applied Scientist, Amazon
  • Dr. Joe Meyer, ABD, Senior AI/ML Applied Scientist, Generative AI, SAP

 

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator: Alec Munc, Stealth Startup

 

Intended Audience:

Introductory: Little knowledge of the basic concepts covered in this learning program. Intended for someone new to the area with little to no background experience in the content area.

 

Abstract:

Have you been curious about learning Python fundamentals? This hands-on workshop empowers participants with vital Python skills, covering function and loop construction, data manipulation using Pandas, insightful data visualization techniques, understanding the basic data structure and object-oriented programming (OOP) principles, along with practical application of machine learning models via ScikitLearn and Hugging Face, culminating in a synthesized class project.

 

Description:

This workshop is all about making you skilled with Python, one of the most important programming languages for data analysis and machine learning. We have divided the workshop into sections that will take you through creating loops and functions, manipulating data with Pandas, and visualizing data. We will also delve into the basics of organizing data and give you a peek into object-oriented programming. You will get your hands dirty with real machine learning applications using popular libraries like ScikitLearn and Hugging Face. For professionals in I-O psychology, this isn't just coding—it's about making smarter, data-driven decisions that can influence organizational outcomes and enhance talent management. You will not only learn but also apply these skills to a final project. The skills learned here are not just theoretical but are immediately applicable in your day-to-day work, aiding in better analysis, decision making, and predictive modeling in organizational settings. This workshop enables you to become savvy with data in Python and to tackle real-world challenges with confidence and skills.

 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe how to build functions and loops with Python using conditions (e.g., “if then,” “while,” “try,” “except,” etc.).
  2. Manipulate data using the Pandas library including merging, dropping duplicates, and other forms of data manipulation.
  3. Create effective data visualizations (e.g., bar charts, line plots, scatter plots).
  4. Explain the basics of Python in terms of data structures (e.g., list, set, dictionary) and object-oriented programming.
  5. Fit and evaluate basic machine learning models (e.g., regularized regression, decision tree) using the ScikitLearn library.

 

Presenter Biographies:

Yizhen Egyn Zhu's headshotYizhen Egyn Zhu, PhD, Machine Learning Applied Scientist, Amazon

Background:

Zhu specializing in the intersection of machine learning and natural language processing with human behavior. She applies cutting-edge technology to improve and streamline hiring processes. In 2023, Zhu led one of the top four participating teams in the SIOP Machine Learning Competition, acknowledging her work in effectively predicting candidate competencies from text. Committed to creating fair artificial intelligence, Zhu is also enthusiastic about merging best I-O practices with machine learning to minimize biases and promote diversity in the workforce. Zhu has extensive experience in coding languages, such as R, Python, Java, and C. She passionately dedicates some of her free time to teaching I-O students programming fundamentals.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, North Carolina State University
  • BS, Psychology and Mathematics, Davidson College
  • Visiting Student in Mathematics, University of Oxford

 

Joe Meyer's headshotJoe Meyer, ABD, Senior AI/ML Applied Scientist, Generative AI at SAP

Background:

Meyer teaches a course on natural language processing for the University of California Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley. Previously he was a senior natural language processing researcher at Erudit; a research scientist at Meta, and an I-O Data Science intern at Modern Hire.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, Louisiana Tech University
  • BA, Psychology, Allegheny Collect

 

Friday Seminar 3: Unlocking Excellence—Navigating Employee Experience Measurement and Transformation

Date & Time:

Friday, April 19, 2024
 8:30-11:30 a.m. Central
 In-Person

 

Presenters:

  • Dr. Anna Hulett, PhD, XM Scientist, Qualtrics
  • Dr. Jeff Jolton, PhD, Global Managing Director, Research and Insights, Kincentric

 

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator: Aspen Robinson, Accenture

 

Intended Audience:

Intermediate: Participants should have a baseline understanding of topics, such as the business value of measuring the employee experience and survey design principles.

 

Abstract:

This workshop delves into successful employee experience (EX) measurement and using results for organizational transformation. Gain insights into direct and indirect methods that align EX with business strategies. From surveys to actionable insights, this workshop equips practitioners with tools, practices, and resources to translate EX into overall organizational success.

 

Description:

An interactive workshop designed to equip participants with advanced proficiency in the measurement and transformation of employee experience (EX). The session will explain the pivotal role of EX in organizational success, and attendees will learn how to align it with business strategies. Will explore innovative direct and nondirect approaches to measurement to enhance EX assessment. An emphasis will be made on translating measurement results into tangible actions, fostering a culture of EX excellence from top leadership down to team managers. The workshop also will discuss assessing return on investment (ROI) for EX transformation efforts, ensuring leadership support for ongoing efforts. Practical exercises and case studies will guide the creation of purpose-driven EX measures and driving change.

 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe what employee experience (EX) is and why it is critical to organizational success.
  2. Define employee experience (EX) and its relevance to business strategy and success.
  3. Design an EX survey that ties to strategy and translating results into tangible actions across all levels of the organization.
  4. Explore two indirect measures of EX to augment surveys results and insights.
  5. Establish ROI of EX transformation efforts.

 

Presenter Biographies:

Anna L. Hulett's headshotAnna L. Hulett, PhD, Experience Management (XM) Scientist, Qualtrics

Background:

Hulett has more than 10 years of experience leveraging data-driven insights to understand the interdependencies between business strategy and the employee experience, ultimately empowering clients across industries and organizational contexts to build a better workplace. In her role at Qualtrics, Hulett’s expertise in employee listening design and analytics, paired with her experience in strategic human capital management, allows her to provide comprehensive employee experience solutions across the employee lifecycle. Hulett recently completed her term as chair of the SIOP Salary Survey Committee. She regularly presents at the annual SIOP conference and has been published in multiple peer reviewed journals. Previously, Anna was a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and an applied psychologist at several Fortune 50 companies, including UPS and Johnson & Johnson.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, University of Georgia
  • MS, I-O Psychology, University of Georgia

 

Jeff Jolton's headshotJeff Jolton, PhD, Global Managing Director, Research and Insights, Kincentric and SIOP Fellow

Background:

At Kincentric, Jolton leads thought leadership and applied research efforts. He has partnered with numerous Fortune 500 companies, guiding them in creating, executing, and driving change through their employee listening programs. He has recently redesigned Kincentric’s employee experience framework, focusing on the value of consistency of experience on business performance. Before joining Kincentric, Jolton served as the managing director in PwC's People Analytics practice and held the role of global consulting leader for Kenexa. In both roles he focused on employee surveys, talent architecture, leader development and organizational transformation. He is recognized as a SIOP Fellow. Jolton’s contributions extend beyond the boardroom, with more than 100 publications and conference presentations to his name.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, Ohio University
  • BA, Psychology, Lawrence University

 

 

Afternoon Seminars (2:00-5:00 p.m. CT)

Click on the Seminar Name to view the workshop description and speaker information.

Friday Seminar 4: Doing More With Less With Your Talent Agenda

Date & Time:

Friday, April 19, 2024
 2:00-5:00 p.m. Central
 In-Person

 

Presenters:

  • Dr. James Scrivani, PhD, Global Head of Assessment and Development, Novartis
  • Laura Braley, Director of Talent and Performance Management, Ahold Delhaize

 

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator: Sarena Bhatia, Kincentric

 

Intended Audience:

Intermediate. This session will be geared for practitioners who are implementing talent goals in an organization with limited resources. Participants should understand implementing I-O practices, navigating organizational stakeholders, effective communication, and influence so they can understand how approaches chosen needs to be different in lean times. Participants also will spend significant time in the session working through a case study of their own which will require real-world context.

 

Abstract:

Are you a practitioner working with a lean team and/or budget but aiming to drive a strong talent agenda? This session will feature lessons learned from highly experienced practitioners, the chance to connect with colleagues with similar challenges, and the opportunity to work through a current challenge you are facing.

 

Description:

This session will be geared at practitioners implementing talent agendas in organizations where they have a small team and few resources but still need to make a sizeable impact on the population through talent interventions. The topic of doing more with less during lean times is especially relevant to SIOP members during the uncertain economic environment when company budgets are limited. After this session, participants will have a better idea of how to prioritize their talent agenda to meet the needs of critical populations, deliver key messages to the business and stay in constant contact with them, and influence internally to get support for their agenda. Participants will have the chance to hear live case studies from two experienced professionals and will also get to build on an action learning example from their own experiences. There is a focus on peer learning and exchange during the session as well.

 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain how to prioritize the talent agenda to focus on what matters to the organization and department in the short term, considering critical populations.
  2. Apply up to two influence methods to get discretionary effort from others to be involved in talent work as needed.
  3. Deliver a compelling message to organizational leaders on the purpose and value of talent practices.
  4. Describe how to develop a relationship with key business partners to collect their needs and provide them with requested information on talent practices.
  5. Describe how to apply up to three best practices to one’s own situation to effectively address a lean talent scenario.

 

Presenter Biographies:

Jim Scrivani's headshotJames Scrivani, PhD, Global Head of Assessment and Development, Novartis

Background:

At Novartis, Scrivani oversees the talent assessment and development strategy for the enterprise. He has more than 20 years of talent management experience at Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, PepsiCo, and PwC. He specializes in talent management processes including talent assessment and selection, high-potential identification and development, succession planning, executive coaching, and 360 feedback. He previously served as an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University and a special guest lecturer at Columbia University. He has recently coauthored articles for Leadership Quarterly and Talent Quarterly. Scrivani will leverage his decades of experience in designing and delivering assessment and development programs and processes to help highlight key learnings, lessons, and best practices.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, Alliant International University
  • MA, Organizational Management, George Washington University

 

Laura Braley's headshotLaura Braley, Director of Talent and Performance Management, Ahold Delhaize

Background:

Ahold Delhaize is a global food retailer operating across 10 countries with approximately 420,000 associates. Braley began her career in Store Operations with Wegmans (a grocery chain based out of Rochester, NY). She worked for Wegmans and Shoprite for several years prior to joining The Giant Company, a brand of Ahold Delhaize. Having been with Ahold Delhaize for 23 years, Braley transitioned to Human Resources in 2002. She has held numerous roles across a variety of HR areas building her expertise. In her current role, she focuses on driving the talent strategy and tooling to support a complex international organization while making connections and supporting the many brands that comprise Ahold Delhaize.

Education:

  • BA, Business Administration and Management, Westminster College

 

Friday Seminar 5: Build Up Your Business Acumen

Date & Time:

Friday, April 19, 2024
 2:00-5:00 p.m. Central
 In-Person

 

Presenters:

  • Dr. Christopher M. Castille, PhD, Gerald Gaston Distinguished Chair of Management and Co-Director, People Analytics Lab, Nicholls State University’s College of Business Administration.

 

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator: James De Leon, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

 

Intended Audience:

Introductory: Little knowledge of the basic concepts covered in this learning program. Intended for someone new to the area with little to no background experience in the content area.

 

Abstract:

The workshop will introduce fundamental concepts from four business disciplines—strategy, marketing, operations, and finance—and emphasize two key areas: strategy and finance. Our goal is to improve participants’ ability to diagnose business priorities and apply the I-O psychology evidence base to address these priorities.

 

Description:

This workshop explores the intersection of organizational strategy, finance, and human resource interventions, emphasizing their implications for HR and industrial-organizational psychology. The first section delves into diagnosing an organization’s strategy and HR management alignment, applying systems thinking to interventions, understanding opportunity costs via utility theory, and analyzing financial statements and capital costs. Tools for connecting interventions to financial outcomes, such as operating profit, are also discussed. The second section introduces the LAMP (Logic, Analytics, Measure, and Process) framework (e.g., learning, attrition, performance, and promotion metrics) to effectively communicate the value of interventions like staffing, training, and job crafting, thereby facilitating evidence-based management. 

 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Apply up to three fundamentals of organizational strategy, operations, and finance.
  2. Link interventions to financial outcomes on the income statement (e.g., operating profit)
  3. Apply opportunity–cost interventions in the business setting.
  4. Describe how to use the LAMP framework to communicate the value of interventions with operating executives and establish baseline measurements.

 

Presenter Biographies:

Christopher M. Castille's headshotChristopher M. Castille, PhD, Gerald Gaston Distinguished Chair of Management and Co-Director, People Analytics Lab, Nicholls State University’s College of Business Administration.

Background:

Castille’s research interests include open science and practice in I-O psychology, method variance, and personality at work. Prior to joining the faculty at Nicholls State University, he taught at Rutgers University and Villanova University. He has written book chapters, feature articles, and has published in many peer-reviewed journals. He is an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Business and Psychology, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Managerial Psychology, Applied Psychological Measurement journal, and Personality and Individual Differences journal, among others. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Business & Psychology and the Journal of Managerial Psychology. He is a frequent presenter at SIOP annual conferences and, in 2021, he co-organized the first ever SIOP/CARMA Open Science Virtual Summer Series. He is a member of SIOP’s Open Science and Practice Committee. He is editor of the TIP column, titled “Opening Up,” which receives entries on open science and practice as is pertinent to the study of I-O psychology.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, Louisiana Tech University
  • MA, I-O Psychology, Louisiana Tech University
  • BS, Psychology, Louisiana State University

 

Friday Seminar 6: Path to Product

Date & Time:

Friday, April 19, 2024
 2:00-5:00 p.m. Central
 In-Person

 

Presenters:

  • Carolyn Kalafut, MA, People Scientist, Microsoft Viva
  • Dr. Matthew Mol, PhD, People Research Scientist, Meta

 

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator: Tim Lisk, Meta

 

Intended Audience:

Introductory: Little knowledge of the basic concepts covered in this learning program. Intended for someone new to the area with little to no background experience in the content area.

 

Abstract:

Intro to product management for I-O psychologists. How to work effectively with internal and external engineering teams to automate, scale, and ship I-O interventions. Overview of agile software development methodology and ways of working.

 

Description:

“Are I-Os still relevant?” has been a recurring theme at SIOP for years. This seminar will help you be more relevant. Software development is no longer tied to just tech companies—every organization these days works more closely with product partners, whether they are internal employees or external providers. The ability to influence the software development lifecycle to embed responsible and robust I-O principles in solutions is an important skill in a digital world.

 

Learning Objectives:

After attending this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Match product roles with up to three primary responsibilities.
  2. Compare the similarities between product and I-O skill sets and describe their own transferable skill to product positions.
  3. Identify pros and cons of two major software development methodologies and apply them appropriately to different scenarios.
  4. Describe how to create useful problem statements from unstructured information, related to expanding capabilities of LLMs.
  5. Identify situations where I-Os and product professionals can interface and how to improve the partnership.

 

Presenter Biographies:

Carolyn Kalafut's headshotCarolyn Kalafut, MA, Principal People Scientist, Viva People Science Team, Microsoft

Background:

Carolyn Kalafut, MA is a principal people scientist on the Viva People Science Team at Microsoft. She works directly with product teams to imbed the science of happiness and success at work into the products they develop. She has a passion for utilizing best practice and creativity to build meaningful solutions to complex problems, while always keeping the employee as the hero. Prior to her role on the Viva People Science Team, she was a consultant at Glint (part of LinkedIn/Microsoft), where she advised clients on the design and implementation of solutions that drive people success. Before joining Glint, Carolyn worked as the manager of Talent and Engagement at a global Fortune 500, with a focus on leading the reimagining of their global engagement practice, and she has consulted externally in the realm of leadership selection, assessment, and development for a variety of industries.

Education:

  • PhD Candidate, I-O Psychology, Roosevelt University
  • MA, I-O Psychology, Roosevelt University
  • BA, Psychology, North Central College

 

Matt Mol's headshotMatt Mol, PhD, People Research Scientist, Applied People Science, Meta

Background:

At Meta, Mol’s work focuses on developing foundational AI solutions in the skills space for downstream integration into internal people products. He enjoys blending I-O and DS to improve people systems, and “geeking” about Python. Mol got his PhD in Tulsa before attending Insights, a data science postdoctoral fellowship. After Insights, he worked at pymetrics, creating internal packages in R and Python to scale adverse impact, predictive validity, and job analysis studies, as well as leading the development of Talent Compass, a scaled custom performance appraisal system, and a work engagement scale. Subsequently, he worked on Nordstrom’s people analytics team, where he led company-wide labor forecasting and attrition modeling, before taking his current role at Meta.

Education:

  • PhD, I-O Psychology, University of Tulsa
  • MA, I-O Psychology, University of Tulsa
  • BS, I-O Psychology, Colorado State University