Ageism in the Age of AI: How Experienced Professionals Can Stay Competitive
with Helen Sanchez
AI Won't Replace Leaders - But AI-Powered Leaders Will
Cristina Duke, Meredith Haberfeld, Paul Eschen, Rodney H. Scaife
January 22, 2026 01:00 PM EST
January 22, 2026 01:00 PM EST
Virtual
The workplace is shifting fast, and AI is becoming essential for leaders who want to stay relevant. But here's the thing: AI isn't about replacing what makes us human. It's about amplifying it. This event digs into how AI can sharpen your decision-making, strengthen your communication, and unlock new performance levels in your teams, all while keeping the human skills that matter most front and center.
Join leaders from PowerToFly, ThinkHuman, BizLibrary and Emerson collective as they explore why tomorrow's leaders are the ones partnering with AI, not competing against it. Our panelists will break down the practical ways AI is already reshaping what's expected of leaders in HR, Talent Acquisition, and beyond. Join us to learn how to stay ahead and empower your people in an AI-driven world.
Speakers will include:
- Meredith Haberfeld, Founder and CEO, ThinkHuman
- Cristina Duke, VP of Sales & Customer Success, PowerToFly
- Paul Eschen, Chief Marketing Officer, BizLibrary
- Rodney H. Scaife, Head of People, Emerson Collective
What We'll Cover:
- How AI is transforming core leadership skills like communication, decision-making, and strategic thinking
- Practical tools and workflows leaders can use today to work smarter and reduce burnout
- Ways to keep empathy, trust, and emotional intelligence strong while bringing AI into your leadership approach
Plus, this event will be eligible for SHRM credits.
Meet The Speakers
Cristina Duke
VP of Sales & Customer Success, PowerToFly
Cristina Duke has a diverse background as an HR practitioner, SaaS Consultant, and top-performing saleswoman. She has worked on global teams at a 100,000+ person organization, as well as in start-ups where she had to wear many hats in order to keep the business operating. Cristina is an intelligent risk-taker and self-starter who thrives on change, with the ability to adapt and prepare for unexpected situations. It is through this varied experience that she has discovered her passions and strengths: Tech (particularly SaaS), managing client relationships, and training and developing others. She excels at learning a client's business and providing value-added solutions. Cristina believes a successful business model is created by building trusting and enduring partnerships with both internal and external customers.
Meredith Haberfeld
Founder & CEO of ThinkHuman
As Founder and CEO of ThinkHuman, Meredith helps transform businesses via services including culture building, CEO coaching and leadership development. Meredith and her team work with fast-growth, entrepreneurial-spirited organizations that are making things that are good for the world. Companies Meredith works with include SoulCycle, Betterment, Spotify and Flatiron Health to create thriving people-centric cultures.
Paul Eschen
Chief Marketing Officer at BizLibrary
As Chief Marketing Officer at BizLibrary, Paul helps learning & development professionals demonstrate ROI and secure a seat at the executive table. Passionate about behavioral science, he leverages data-driven insights to shape the future of learning and employee engagement. Paul believes that effective learning fuels business success, empowering organizations to develop talent, boost performance and drive measurable outcomes. His leadership ensures BizLibrary’s solutions are designed to make learning more engaging, accessible and impactful—helping clients build skilled, agile workforces that thrive in an evolving world.
Rodney H. Scaife
Head of People for Emerson Collective
Rodney H. Scaife is the Head of People for Emerson Collective, where he leads strategic Human Resources initiatives focused on talent acquisition, management, total rewards, employee experience, and culture. With over 30 years of professional experience in sales, operations, and Human Resources leadership, he has held executive positions including Chief People Officer at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Head of HR for North America at CPA Global, and senior HR roles at Allervis Group, Freddie Mac, and AOL.
