PERHUSA 2024: Catalyzing HR Innovation in the Heart of Silicon Valley

The VIII Annual Meeting of Spanish HR Senior Professionals in the USA (PERHUSA) took place from September 9th to 11th, in San Francisco, Mountain View and Palo Alto. The event was hosted by K&L Gates , 谷歌 and HP , and sponsored by Cognitive Talent Solutions among other organizations. Over the course of three days, prominent HR leaders engaged in discussions on the future of talent management, new technologies, and global workforce dynamics.

Day 1: Fostering Talents and Embracing Technology

The event began on September 9th with a welcome by Francisco Gomez Olmedo , Partner at K&L Gates , and Marcos Fraile from the Embassy of Spain in the USA. The day’s agenda centered on exploring how emerging technologies are transforming talent management and people practices.

Key highlights included:

• Victor Ubeda, Ph.D. , Global HR Vice President at Grifols, presented on the application of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) in people management, exploring the potential of these immersive technologies to revolutionize employee training and development.

• Patricia Carmona , People Analytics Lead at CSL Behring, discussed how People Analytics is reshaping talent strategies through data-driven insights that enhance employee engagement and decision-making.
• Bego?a González-Blanch , US Managing Partner at ACKERMANN , delved into the evolving trends in leadership search and talent acquisition in a globalized, tech-driven world.
• Carla Arimont Lincoln , Managing Partner at Lincoln Leadership Advisors LLC , explored the critical role of leadership in driving cultural transformations, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership in navigating the complexities of today’s workplace.
• Ruben Ponte , Global HR Director at Airbnb, offered innovative insights into the future of remote work, sharing Airbnb’s adaptive strategies to maintain productivity and engagement.

The first day concluded with Albert Riba Trullols , President of Sapiens Mindset , discussing "Transformability"—the essential skill of embracing change in today's fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment.

Day 2: Exploring Silicon Valley and Stanford University

On September 10th, the attendees were immersed in the heart of Silicon Valley. The day started with a visit to Google, where Pilar Manchón PhD. , Senior Director of Engineering, AI Research Strategy, provided an in-depth discussion on AI’s transformative role in reshaping industries.

The group then proceeded to HP, where, in addition to engaging in a conversation with Enrique Lores lores lores Lores, CEO of HP, the attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the HP Garage, the iconic birthplace of Silicon Valley. This visit offered a fascinating glimpse into the origins of HP and Silicon Valley’s legacy of innovation.

The day continued with a tour of Stanford University, led by Francisco Marin from Cognitive Talent Solutions. The visit gave participants a unique opportunity to connect with the intellectual capital and innovation housed within one of the world's leading academic institutions.

The day ended with a networking dinner, providing an opportunity for further reflection on the learnings and insights gathered from the day’s activities.

Day 3: Leadership, Social Capital, and Organizational Networks

The final day, September 11th, opened with a roundtable featuring leading voices in talent acquisition and leadership. A key presentation was given by Margarita Mayo, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior at IE Business School, who spoke about Transformational and Authentic Leadership. She emphasized the importance of social capital and informal networks in driving authentic leadership and how these elements are essential to organizational success in a rapidly changing world.

Another highlight was the session by Francisco Marin from Cognitive Talent Solutions, who introduced attendees to Generative AI-powered Organizational Network Analysis, showcasing how the technology helps businesses understand and optimize their informal networks to drive performance and innovation.

The event concluded with a group discussion led by Marcos Fraile, Víctor úbeda, and Inigo Gondra , focused on the vision and future goals of fostering collaboration among Spanish HR professionals in the USA.

A special thanks to Victor Ubeda, Ph.D. , Rocio Esteve , Gemma Cortijo , Juan Carlos Pereira , and the rest of the organizing team for their incredible efforts in making this event possible. Their dedication brought together HR leaders to explore cutting-edge technologies and innovative ideas, fostering deeper connections within the global HR community. Congratulations on a successful event!