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July 2026

The Monthly Brief

Everything you need to know about HRLF!

Dear HRLF Community,

This past year I have been on a listening tour, starting before I took the role as Board Chair of the HRLF. Talking to many of you, and others in HR across the country and overseas, asking the questions: what do you want from your career, what are the barriers; what do you expect from an HR leader? I’ve also met with a number of CEOs asking what they expect from the HR function and their CPO?

Some things are clear about people in our function: wanting to grow in our profession and wanting to learn more about the complexities inherent in what we do. The best HR throws out playbooks; continues to learn, to challenge, has a point of view, and pays it forward.

The other thing: CEOs demand that their CHROs/CPOs bring strong business acumen to the job, connecting the dots between corporate strategy and People strategy; understand the issues and ideas governing the company and readily offer actionable and pragmatic guidance to organizational challenges. This is what a CEO needs to optimize the value of their employees in realizing company goals.

But stepping back for one second, did you know that the HRLF is the only volunteer organization in New England dedicated to the HR profession, conceived, managed, organized, and executed by HR professionals, both in-seat HR practitioners, and partners who make our function thrive? The HRLF exists in service of the community we work in, supporting each other in our careers, our responsibilities and bringing ideas and issues to learn and think about. 

That the HRLF has been around since 1985? We’ve not deviated from this organization’s stated purpose …advancing, promoting and fostering communication among human resources professionals in the New England area … providing a forum for the exchange of information between members…and networking between members…

But, sometimes things need a refresh from time-to-time, don’t they?

Given the trove of qualitative data I amassed, and the feedback you have given the HRLF over the past year, the HRLF’s raison d’être has morphed: to bend minds, break norms and challenge conventional thinking.  

I want to share with you how we’ve been rising to our call to action which also included a little house keeping:

• We did away with the tiered membership fees. All members are valuable members. Period. As long you work in the HR profession either as a practitioner or in support of the practice. (Those in between jobs get a bit of a break in the membership fee until they find a new role.)

• We ditched an old internal comms tool and brought in Slack for all members. Easy to install, easy to use. Great way to connect and network. 

• We exited our long-standing back-office management firm and brought in a dynamic and forward-thinking partner in Conventures to modernize our operations. This is the team that delivers the Boston Marathon every year and launched Sail Boston.

• This year we invited some of the top thinkers and experts from around the country to teach at the ELDP (Executive Leadership Development Forum, runs January - June). I sat through many of the sessions and saw what a seismic impact these speakers and the learnings had on the participants. One of the participants told me she always knew, but didn't know how, to capture the intersection between culture and performance, until this program.

• Did you attend the CEO conversation we held over Zoom in mid-July with Ed Boyajian and Susan Coakley? Luminaries in their field. It was excellent! Open, engaging, and interactive. Our first pop up, and more to come.

• The Ignite Conference on Sept 30-Oct 1st will blow your socks off! Outstanding speakers, stars in our profession; provocative panels. And we heard your feedback: more time to connect and share ideas around the work we do.

• Our last program of the year is on November 12th on a topic every single HR professional knows well, and grapples with: Toxic Leadership. About the hardest issue to tackle in any organization. But if one thing is true: Though toxic leaders often deliver results, they are frequently protected from above on that basis, making them hard to remove if not dangerous. They work through fear and control, tamping out creativity. Driving talent out the door. Laura Hambley Lovett will pull back the curtain and talk to us about how to face these conversations.

We have a great 2027 lining up including a combination of in-person programs, pop ups, and networking events. New venues as well. I can’t wait to share with you what we have in store. Coming soon.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Very best,

Georgette

Thank you to everyone who came last month for a few hours of connection, conversation, and, of course, food. Indoors and out, the Social was filled with lively discussion among both longtime and brand new HRLF members.

As the HR profession navigates an avalanche of systematic changes, the need for networking and community is greater than ever. Every event we host is designed to reflect HRLF's WHY and HOW, which guides the direction of our programming.

HRLF exists because we're committed towards challenging conventional thinking, whether through seminars or conversations over drinks. Our June Social wasn't just an event to unwind but also a chance to create opportunities and enable the free exchange of bold ideas.

We want to thank everyone that came to our Social, and please stay tuned for more information about upcoming programming!

Applications for the 2027 HRLF ELDP are now Open!

We are now accepting applications for our 2027 HRLF Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP)! This is your chance to make 2027 the year you take charge of your career, and grow into your potential!

Did you know that 80% of participants have received a promotion or taken on a new role after completing the program? Here's a testimonial from a past participant:

"The ELDP closed a gap that operational experience alone couldn’t: how to hold the room when you’re the only HR voice at the table. It sharpened how I frame hard truths, stay steady in high-stakes moments, and build trust at the level where decisions actually get made. That’s the difference between running HR and leading it."

Want to learn more about this amazing program? Then join us for the next ELDP Information Session on Thursday, September 17, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at 260 Franklin Street, First Floor, Boston, MA.

Space is extremely limited, so apply today.