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Thrive Forward Leaders' Forum

Peer-driven insights, immersive learning, and meaningful connections

Purpose & Vision:
The Thrive Forward Leaders' Forum is a platform that unites corporate executives, organizational and community leaders, faculty, and researchers who are committed to shaping the future of work in South Florida. Hosted in a university setting, the forum brings together innovative thinkers from business, academia, and the community to exchange ideas, explore emerging research, and translate insights into practical action. Through intimate learning forums, thought-provoking dialogue, and cross-sector collaboration, we cultivate a space where leaders can co-create innovative, human-centered, and future-ready workplace practices that strengthen organizations and uplift our region. Quarterly sessions are thoughtfully designed around today’s leadership challenges and feature best-in-class thinking within a dynamic learning environment.

Target audience:

Designed for forward‑thinking leaders across roles — from executives and HR innovators to technologists, operators, educators, and ecosystem partners — who are driving workforce development and responsible AI adoption in their organizations, the Thrive Forward Leaders' Forum holds quarterly development events at Barry University.

Registration

Our 2026 events have concluded. Stay tuned for details about our 2027 kickoff next February!

2026-2027 events

2027 - Join us next February!

Our 2026 events have concluded. We plan to kick off our 2027 events next February. Stay tuned!

Another successful Thrive Forward: Leaders Forum is in the books at Barry University!

A few key takeaways from our conversation on leadership in an AI-driven world:

Leaders do not need to be AI experts, but they do need enough understanding to ask good questions, make informed decisions, and guide their organizations through change.
One of the biggest themes of the evening was the evolving role of leaders. How much AI knowledge is enough? The consensus: focus less on mastering the technology and more on understanding its business impact, opportunities, risks, and implications for people.
Organizations are moving beyond AI curiosity and beginning to identify practical applications that create real business value.
Successful AI adoption is as much about culture, trust, communication, and change leadership as it is about technology.
The future belongs to leaders who can balance innovation with human connection.

A special thank you to Lori Winkler, Federico Formica, and Stefano Gulbalis for sharing their expertise, insights, and real-world experiences.

Thank you to Selen Turner for moderating a thoughtful and engaging panel discussion, and to Dr. Katya Matusevich for facilitating a fun, interactive, and thought-provoking World Café experience.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who participated, shared perspectives, and asked great questions!

We look forward to seeing you at the next Thrive Forward Leaders Forum in February!

October 7: Exploring the Future of Leadership in an AI+HI-Driven World

October 7, 2026 • 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Barry University

Format: Keynote • Executive Panel • World Café Conversations • Networking

Registration: $45, includes dinner.

Artificial intelligence is changing how work gets done. The question is no longer whether AI will transform organizations. It is how leaders can harness its potential while strengthening the human capabilities that drive trust, innovation, collaboration, and performance.

Join business leaders, HR executives, technology innovators, academics, and professionals for an engaging evening of conversation and connection focused on the future of leadership in an AI + HI (Human Intelligence) driven world.

Through thought-provoking keynote insights, executive panel discussions, and interactive World Café conversations, participants will explore what leadership must look like as organizations navigate rapid technological change while keeping people at the center.

Why Attend?

This forum is designed for leaders who want to move beyond AI hype and explore practical questions such as:

How will AI reshape leadership and decision-making?
What human capabilities become more important in an AI-enabled workplace?
How do leaders build cultures that foster trust, innovation, and adaptability?
What skills will organizations need to develop to remain competitive?
How can human intelligence and artificial intelligence work together to create better outcomes?

You will leave with fresh perspectives, practical ideas, and meaningful connections with leaders facing similar opportunities and challenges.

Meet the Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Lori Winkler
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Zimmer Biomet
President, Zimmer Biomet Foundation

Lori leads the global human resources function for Zimmer Biomet, a Fortune 500 global medical technology company with more than 18,000 employees across 25+ countries. She oversees talent management, learning and development, talent acquisition, total rewards, DEI, human capital strategy, ESG initiatives, and philanthropy. Prior to Zimmer Biomet, Lori held senior global HR leadership roles with Cardinal Health and Johnson & Johnson, where she spent more than two decades supporting large-scale business transformation and leadership development. Lori holds a Master's degree in Human and Organizational Development from Barry University and is widely recognized for her expertise in building high-performing organizations and future-ready leaders.

Executive Panel

Stefano Gulbalis
Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer, Nebulai

Stefano is a digital transformation executive, technology innovator, and AI strategist with decades of experience helping organizations leverage emerging technologies. Through his work at Nebulai, he focuses on Augmented Collective Intelligence, exploring how people, organizations, and intelligent systems can work together to expand human capability and drive innovation.

Federico Formica
Vice President of Engineering at American Express

Federico Formica is a software engineering vice president with more than 25 years of experience leading digital transformation, cloud-native modernization, and large-scale engineering organizations within the financial services industry. He has extensive experience transforming platforms into scalable, high-availability microservices and event-driven architectures, while accelerating delivery through AI-assisted engineering and intelligent automation. He is recognized for his ability to translate complex technology into business value, drive organizational transformation, and foster high-performing engineering cultures. He recently earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Interactive Leadership Experience

Following the keynote and executive panel, participants will engage in facilitated World Café conversations designed to encourage meaningful dialogue, idea sharing, and collaborative problem-solving around the future of leadership and work. This section will be facilitated by the hosts, Dr. Selen Turner and Dr. Katya Matusevich. Participants will walk away with practical ideas on how to shape their leadership at their organizations to lead the AI transformation.

Expect an evening that is engaging, interactive, and practical.

Experience the Conversation

The evening includes:

Executive Keynote Presentation
Executive Leadership Panel
Interactive World Café Discussions
Networking Reception
Practical Insights You Can Apply Immediately

Who Should Attend?

CEOs and business leaders
HR and Talent executives
Learning and Development leaders
Technology and Innovation professionals
Organizational Development practitioners
Entrepreneurs and founders
Faculty and students interested in the future of work
Leaders preparing their organizations for an AI-enabled future

May 20 - AI Ready: The Dual Dilemma of Upskilling Your Workforce & Rewiring Your Organization

May 20, 2026 • 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM at Barry University in partnership with Miami Tech Works and Advantage Performance Group

South Florida’s forward‑thinking leaders are gathering for an interactive and practical forum designed to answer a critical question: How do we prepare our people — and our organizations — for an AI‑enabled future? Across the evening, you'll explore real-world case studies, hands‑on frameworks, roundtable discussions, and guided planning led by experts from major organizations. You’ll leave with a customized 90‑day AI readiness plan and new partners to accelerate your transformation.

What You’ll Experience

Real-world organizational showcases from Miami Tech Works and more.
Leadership framework for AI readiness delivered by Advantage Performance Group.
Two tracks of high‑value roundtables led by industry, university, and ecosystem leaders.
A guided 90‑day Action Plan. You’ll leave with clear priorities, experiments, success metrics, and owners.

Agenda

5:00 – Dinner, welcome & networking - Meet others & mingle
5:30 – Opening welcome - Dr. Selen Turner & Dr. Katya Matusevich
5:40 – Opening keynote, “Where We Are & Where We Are Headed” - Trudy Ann Armand
6:05 – Leadership Framework: AI Readiness - Jonathan Hodge, Advantage Performance Group (APG)
6:30 – Showcase #1: Miami Tech Works & InterContinental Miami - Leonie Timothee & Dr. Pedro Acosta
6:55 – Showcase #2: Barry AI Center AI Hackathon Innovation - Tarik Safouan, Nelson Santos & Britney Mapang
7:10 – Provider Roundtable Discussions, 2 rotations, 15 minutes each - Miami Tech Works & Miami Dade College AI Center, Barry AI Center,
Harness Intelligence/APG, BTS/APG
7:50 – Closing remarks & dismissal - Selen & Katya

Evening Keynote

The evening includes a keynote from Trudy‑Ann Armand, AI Strategist
Known for making AI immediately actionable—not theoretical—Trudy‑Ann helps leaders translate overlooked skills into real strategic advantage as they navigate AI adoption and workforce transformation.

Featured Speaker

Jonathan Hodge will introduce a practical AI readiness framework to help leaders think clearly about where to start, what to prioritize, and how to move forward with AI.

This framework anchors the entire evening—informing the discussions, guiding the roundtables, and serving as the foundation for the 90‑day action plan you’ll build and take back to your organization.

Roundtable

Engage in two high‑value rotations with facilitators guiding insights and real-world examples.

Miami Tech Works:

Dr. Pedro A. Santos Acosta — Executive Director, Emerging Technologies
Lucy Moscoso — Program Manager
Terri-Ann Brown — Sr. Director

Barry University AI Center:

Tarik Safouan — Sr. Director, Innovation & Technology Education

Advantage Performance Group: BTS & Harness Intelligence

Jon Hodge — CEO, Advantage Performance Group & Senior Leader at BTS
Richard Hodge - Co-Founder of Harness Intelligence
Suzie Ramirez — Partner, Advantage Performance Group

Showcase #1 - Miami Tech Works:
AI Adoption Done Right: From Awareness to Impact

You will hear real‑world examples of AI adoption at the Intercontinental Miami hotel:

Dr. Pedro Santos Acosta, Executive Director of Emerging Technologies, Miami Dade College AI Center
Leonie Timothee, People and Culture Manager, Talent Development, InterContinental Miami, Co-founder and Executive Director of A Reflection of Me, Inc., a non-profit

From a luxury hotel to a nonprofit, this showcase explores how organizations are learning, adopting, and embedding AI into everyday work—responsibly, realistically, and with impact.

Showcase #2 - Barry University AI Center
Hackathon Innovation: Go‑to‑Market Strategy Dashboard

Barry University's AI Center team won an AI hackathon by using AI to build a complete go‑to‑market strategy. Since then, they scaled their work and turned it into a white‑label GTM “command center” dashboard that helps leaders turn AI insights into clear, actionable execution.

Tarik Safouan, Senior Director for Innovation and Technology Education, Barry University AI Center
Nelson Santos, Master of Social Work Candidate
Britney Mapang, AI Consultant & MBA Candidate in AI Strategy

You’ll Walk Away With

A personalized 90‑day AI readiness plan
Clear pathways for upskilling your workforce
Strategies for organizational rewiring
Tools for responsible experimentation
New connections across industry, higher education, and regional partners

Secure your seat and join us for a transformational evening designed to move leaders from insight → capability → execution.

2026 Kickoff held February 11 - Innovation-Driven Mindset: How Organizations Define and Shape Their Industries

Thrive Forward: Leaders’ Forum 2026 Kickoff

Date: February 11, 2026
Location: Barry University Main Campus, Miami Shores
Doors Open: 4:30 PM | Event: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Innovation-Driven Mindset: How Organizations Define and Shape Their Industries
Discover how organizations instill innovation—from mindset to infrastructure—and how leaders spark transformation across teams, products, and culture.

Our 2026 kickoff event will explore how organizations cultivate innovation—from mindset to infrastructure—through immersive dialogue and strategic insights. Join executives, faculty, and community leaders for an evening of networking, thought leadership, and interactive learning at Barry University’s beautiful Miami Shores campus.

Agenda

4:30 – 5:00 PM | Doors Open & Networking

5:00 – 5:30 PM | Welcome & Dinner

5:30 – 6:00 PM | Keynote: Beyond Certainty – Where Innovation Actually Lives

Speaker: Rob Cordova – Prepare for a mind-blowing approach to learning and setting the right mindset for innovation. This keynote will ignite your thinking and equip you to thrive in a world of constant change.

6:00 – 7:00 PM | Executive Panel Discussion

Our powerhouse panel brings together trailblazing leaders who are redefining HR, marketing, and product innovation—get ready for a thought-provoking conversation on how to lead boldly in an era of disruption.
Moderator: Selen Turner
Panelists:

Roberto Ramirez Laverde, Global SVP Marketing, Patron and Agaves at Bacardi
Bogdan Daraban, Dean of School of Business & Vice Provost of Innovation
Jeanette Coto Dou, VP Product Development, Celebrity Cruises

7:15 – 8:00 PM | Interactive Learning Experience
Dive deeper into innovative mindsets with Rob Cordova & Selen Turner in an immersive, engaging session.

Why Attend?

Gain strategic insights from top executives shaping innovation in HR, marketing, and product development.
Participate in Executive Roundtable Discussions for actionable takeaways.
Connect with leaders, peers, and Barry University community members.

Reserve your spot today! (Use the registration form on this page!)

2025 events

What was our first year like? Click the topics to show/hide our 2025 events.

Our first event - We Have a Seat at the Table, Now What? How to Run a Strategic HR & Talent Function

Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 10am-2pm
Lunch will be provided.
Add a reminder to your calendar

This session will feature a simulation developed in conjunction with with the Marshall School of Business at USC and our thought leader partners at Harness Intelligence and 1st90.

The experience simulates a discussion among HR executives on how to run HR as a strategic function and leverages the most recent research and point of view created by Josh Bersin and Associates. Participants will explore practical strategies to leverage their position at the table and drive impactful change within their organizations.

The session will kick off with a fireside chat, introductions and will include a networking lunch to provide ample opportunities for peer-learning, sharing, and building lasting relationships among this community of leaders.

Facilitator: Richard Hodge, co-founder of Harness Intelligence, strategy & content leader at 1st90, and an original co-founder of Advantage Performance Group

Agenda:

9:30 am - 10:00 am – Registration
10:00 am – 10:30 am – Welcome & Introductions
Barry University School of Business Dean, Bogdan Darraban
Barry University HRD Program Director, Dr. Katya Matusevich
Advantage Partner Selen Turner
Facilitator: Richard Hodge
10:30 am – Fireside Chat TBA
11:00 am – We Have the Seat at the Table, Now What? How to Run a Strategic HR Function Simulation – Richard Hodge
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm - Networking Lunch
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm – Simulation and Discussions Continue
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm – Closing Remarks & Announcements

Logistics:

Location: Barry University, Thompson Hall, 2^nd Floor, Gato Gallery
Address & directions: 11300 NE 2^ND Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
Interactive map to parking: Barry University (The parking lot is directly next to the Feinbloom baseball field on the map, right across from the Andreas building.) Parking is metered across the campus - $2/hour or $10 per day.

Driving Transformation and Culture Evolution: HR’s Co-Leadership Role in Adoption of Generative AI

Held Thursday, May 22, 2025

Discover how HR and talent leaders can spearhead meaningful change by driving workplace transformation and embracing generative AI. This immersive session will focus on strategies for evolving organizational culture and maximizing HR’s role in the development and adoption of AI-powered solutions.

Expert Panel: Gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence from an expert panel. These thought leaders will delve into the current state of AI, sharing real-world applications and emerging trends that are shaping industries today.

Core Experience: Following the panel discussion, engage in the Transformation Lab, a hands-on, simulation-based session designed to empower HR and talent leaders. Participants will harness AI-powered tools for creation, analysis, problem-solving, and prioritization, tackling workplace challenges with innovative solutions.

Leaders will walk away with actionable strategies, enhanced confidence, and AI-driven competence to navigate the future of work from this session.

Date and Time: Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 12pm-4:30pm

Agenda:

12:00 - Registration and Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Program Kick-off & Panel: AI Panel with Barry University faculty and experts from AI Strategy Specialization in the MBA program
2:00 - 4:30 pm - Transformation Lab Core Experience

Panelists:

Tarik Safouan, senior director for Innovation and Technology Education, Barry University
Max Stiss, VP of Business Technology at GID
Loren Blandon, Work Futurist & Fractional Executive, Org Effectiveness at LocusOak

Moderator: Selen Turner, partner, Advantage Performance Group.

Transformation Lab Facilitator: Richard Hodge, co-founder of Harness Intelligence, strategy & content leader at 1st90, and an original co-founder of Advantage Performance Group

Cost: $45 (lunch and incidentals)

Logistics:

Location: Barry University, Andreas School of Business, Room Andreas 111
Address & directions: 11300 NE 2^ND Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161
Interactive map to parking: Barry University (The parking lot is directly next to the Feinbloom baseball field on the map, right across from the Andreas building.) Parking is metered across the campus - $2/hour or $10 per day.

Culture by Design: Unlocking Human Skills to Shape a Human-Centric Workplace

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Culture by Design: Unlocking Human Skills to Shape a Human-Centric Workplace

Join us for an insightful and inspiring session focused on Building a Human-Centric Workplace. This event will feature Melissa Uribe Gil, EVP at Costex Tractor Parts, in an engaging fireside chat where she will share her mission to bring purpose back to the workplace. Melissa believes that organizations play a critical role in shaping society for the better, and she will offer thought-provoking insights on how leaders can foster a more meaningful and impactful workplace culture.

Following the fireside chat, we will explore BlueEQ's groundbreaking research on human skills and emotional intelligence (EQ) levels across various industries. This eye-opening analysis will provide valuable data to help us understand how different workplace cultures can evolve toward a more human-centric and optimized approach.

Using real-world culture reports and case studies, we will employ critical thinking to identify strategies for moving workplace cultures toward more engaged, connected, and impactful environments.

Event Agenda & Flow:

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Registration - Weber Grand Hall, Barry University

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Welcome & Fireside Chat with Melissa Uribe Gil, EVP at Costex Tractor Parts - Moderated by Selen Turner

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Dinner & Networking

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | BlueEQ Presents - The EQ Factor in Culture Formation & Evolution by Lori Urban, Advantage Performance Group

Take part in a powerful conversation that could reshape your workplace culture. Secure your spot today!

The Future Is Now: Reimagining Development Through Data, AI, and Neuroscience

Thursday, October 23, 2025 • 4:30-8:30pm
Barry University, Kostka Event Room at Thompson Hall on the 2^nd Floor - NOTE, THIS IS A NEW LOCATION!

What happens when cutting-edge science meets bold strategy? This session dives into the powerful convergence of data, AI, and neuroscience to reimagine how organizations design development that delivers—on engagement, ROI, and scale.

From cognitive load and emotional regulation to predictive analytics and inclusive design, we’ll unpack the essential ingredients of high-impact development—regardless of your size, sector, or starting point.

Join our TEDx-style keynote speakers: Dr. Eli Bendet-Taicher, an award-winning L&D leader, and Dr. Katya Matusevich, an award-winning professor and certified coach in brain-based coaching through the NeuroLeadership Institute. Together, they will share provocative insights, actionable frameworks, and tools you can use immediately to:

Decode what truly drives engagement, retention, and motivation.
Leverage data and AI to scale measurable, inclusive development.
Apply neuroscience to design learning that sticks—and shifts behavior.
Build strategies that are not just smart, but deeply human.

Whether you're a CHRO, talent executive, business leader, or learning leader, this session will challenge assumptions and equip you to build ecosystems that perform—with precision, empathy, and lasting impact.

We’ll then shift into our Design Lab facilitated by Richard Hodge, co-founder of Harness Intelligence—where insights become action. Using the High Impact Learning Map and AI-powered tools, you’ll design a real strategy for maximum relevance and impact. Every participant will leave with practical tools, a map, and the confidence to apply it immediately in their own organization.

4:30 PM – Doors open

Step into a vibrant space of connection and curiosity. Grab a nametag, meet fellow changemakers, and enjoy networking before we dive in.

5:00 PM – Welcome, dinner & networking

Selen Turner, Advantage Performance Group, sets the tone with a warm welcome and framing for the evening. Dinner is served—nourishing minds and continued networking as we prepare to explore bold ideas.

5:30 PM – TEDx-style keynotes + panel-style Q&A

Dr. Katya Matusevich, professor and program director at Barry University, brings the brain to the forefront—where neuroscience meets the art of learning design. Dr. Eli Bendet-Taicher, Global Head of Learning & Talent Development at Wix, translates data into momentum—bridging scalability with strategic execution.

Together, they’ll ignite fresh thinking and challenge conventional wisdom. Then, buckle up for a rapid-fire Q&A moderated by Selen Turner, partner at Advantage Performance Group—designed to connect insights, provoke bold questions, and spark actionable ideas.

6:45 PM – Design Lab: From Insight to Impact - powered by HiBot – Harness Intelligence’s AI strategy tool
Led by Richard Hodge, co-founder of Harness Intelligence, this hands-on session empowers participants to co-create high-impact L&D strategies using the High Impact Learning Map and AI-powered tools. Each table tackles a live challenge, guided by real-time coaching and innovation prompts. With AI-powered tools, participants will:

Rapidly draft strategies grounded in real-world challenges
Identify gaps using neuroscience and data insights
Visualize impact pathways and iterate designs live

8:30 PM – Wrap-up & closing

NEW LOCATION!

WHERE: Barry University, Kostka Event Room at Thompson Hall on the 2^nd Floor

Address: 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161

Parking: Landon South Parking Lot - On N Miami Ave in front of R. Kirk Landon Student Union

Please use this interactive map for ease of finding the parking lot and building: Barry University. There is a charge for parking across the campus - $2/hour and 10/daily.

About Advantage Performance Group

We help organizations develop great people.
Advantage Performance Group provides professional services related to corporate learning & development, including leadership development, sales training, business simulations, talent assessments, coaching services, mobile learning solutions, and many other areas of focus. Clients include mid-size to large organizations from all industries and any part of the world including many Fortune 500, Fortune 100, and Fortune 50 companies.

About Barry University

Human Resource Development
The Master of Science in Human Resource Development at Barry University is a premier program that equips human resources leaders with critical strategic skills, from performance improvement to people analytics. Lead the future of work with transformative people solutions.