{"id":12419,"date":"2024-09-24T12:47:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T18:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/board.org\/?p=12419"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:33:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:33:26","slug":"employee-experience-leaders-talk-socializing-ex-2025-trends-ai-and-more-at-our-inaugural-board-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/board.org\/employee-experience-peer-network\/resources\/employee-experience-leaders-talk-socializing-ex-2025-trends-ai-and-more-at-our-inaugural-board-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Employee Experience Leaders Talk Socializing EX, 2025 Trends, AI, and More at Our Inaugural Board Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]More than 20 senior employee experience leaders gathered at Chicago\u2019s Navy Pier for\u00a0the inaugural Employee Experience Board Meeting, where they participated in honest, behind-the-scenes chats about running EX at the nation’s largest brands.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The two-day event included small-group discussions, case studies, and four rounds of unconferences — where members get to choose the most pressing topics and challenges they’re facing in real time and benchmark with their employee experience peers.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”12420″ image_size=”large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]The only thing missing from the Board Meeting was vendors, consultants, or agencies influencing the conversations.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kay Clark<\/span><\/a>, Vice President of Culture and Associate Experience at Raymond James Financial\u00a0<\/span>said on LinkedIn<\/span><\/a> that she took at least one nugget of wisdom from every leader in attendance, from advice on onboarding and recognition platforms to employee listening strategies and using data to drive measurable change. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at what we covered:<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

EX Strategy Case Studies:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Building a cross-functional steering committee to guide EX programming \u2014 led by Beth Kardong at Boston Scientific<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Using focus groups to close the generational feedback gap \u2014 led by Jenae O\u2019Neil at Zurich North America<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • From siloed to centralized: Unifying global employee recognition strategies \u2014 led by Kelly Willey at Fidelity Investments\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Empowering your internal champion network to shape employee experience \u2014 led by Rob Julson at Voya Financial\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Tackling frontline employee engagement with continuous listening strategies \u2014 led by Alexis Dirkmaat at Marriott Vacations Worldwide\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”12425″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/adirkmaat_employeeexperience-activity-7240772009184407552-JGox?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

    Member-Led Small-Group Discussions:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Optimizing employee onboarding for consistent EX \u2014 led by Julia Santone at M&T Bank<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Developing a feedback-rich culture that drives action \u2014 led by Pierce Breneman at Rocket Companies\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Return-to-office mandates: Maintaining employee engagement \u2014 led by Kay Clark at Raymond James<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Measuring employee experience beyond engagement \u2014 led by Julie Pendell at Discover Financial Services\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”12427″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/dannielle-brown-37745b63_amazing-few-days-talking-about-all-things-activity-7240032705583722497-iuOO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

      Unconferences to Explore the Top Challenges EX Leaders Are Facing:<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]On day two, Employee Experience Board members set the meeting\u2019s agenda themselves through our Unconferences, fast-paced, peer-to-peer\u00a0discussions where members suggest discussion topics, vote for their favorites, and join the conversations that interest them most.<\/p>\n

      It means members are spending the entire time talking about the topics that are most important to them.<\/p>\n

      Here\u2019s a look at some of the most pressing challenges employee experience leaders are facing:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Making the case of EX: More resources, showcasing value, and building a business case<\/li>\n
      • Building employee personas to guide design of programs<\/li>\n
      • EX structure: Areas we own, team structure, and maturing the function<\/li>\n
      • Driving EX\/CX alignment<\/li>\n
      • Scorecards: Key metrics, format, and sharing with leadership<\/li>\n
      • Action planning<\/li>\n
      • Using AI to make our jobs easier<\/li>\n
      • Socializing EX \u2013 getting other teams to understand our role<\/li>\n
      • 2025 trends<\/li>\n
      • Listening during changes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”12421″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]The best on-site discussions will grow as full community conversations in the coming weeks and months as we dig deeper together.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”10232″ bg_position=”left top” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”50px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Interested in learning more about membership?” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.5″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15px”][vc_custom_heading text=”As a leader, your mission is important. We\u2019re here to help you win.” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:30px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.5″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15px”][nectar_btn size=”medium” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” color_override=”#000000″ solid_text_color_override=”#ffffff” icon_family=”fontawesome” text=”Apply to Join” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-chevron-right” url=”\/join\/”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12422,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[232],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12419","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-employee-experience-peer-network","8":"content-type-blog"},"acf":{"boardmc_hide_post_header":null,"boardmc_hide_site_header":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/board.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}