Strategic Resource Group Leadership Summit
September 29 at 8:00 am - September 30 at 5:00 pm PDT
Current & Past Sponsors
Sponsorships
Innovation & Success Sharing Competition
Certificate Program
Research
The 2026 Strategic Resource Group Leadership Summit
The Center for Effective Organizations (CEO) at the USC Marshall School of Business, invites you to participate in the virtual 2026 Strategic Resource Group (SRG) Leadership Summit on September 29-30, 2026.
Now in its 14th year, this data-driven learning event remains a premier gathering for ERG leaders, members, and executive sponsors. Whether you’re joining us again or attending for the first time, the summit offers a dynamic platform for collaborative learning and innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, gain valuable strategic insights—and earn Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification (13 PDCs virtual).
Need help getting approval to attend?
Download our Convince Your Manager letter to make the case.
Why you should attend
Innovation & Success Sharing Competition
Develop Your ERG Strategy to Drive Business Growth, Innovation and High Performance
The Innovation and Success Sharing Competition serves as a dynamic platform for ERG leaders to develop strategies and collaborate on ideas that align their initiatives with broader organizational goals and business strategy. Companies or individuals wanting to be part of the Innovation and Success Sharing Competition start by visiting the StartupWind platform to begin their application. To support participants in shaping their submissions, we recorded one of the pre-event workshops we hosted. These sessions provided guidance on developing a strategy, refining ideas, and crafting compelling success or innovation stories. You can watch the recording, here. These submissions will then be presented and judged during the virtual component of the summit, allowing participants to showcase their achievements and compete.
Who Attends?
The Strategic Resource Group (SRG) Leadership Summit includes leaders from organizations that have established Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or are just getting their programs started. Attendees include:
- ERG Leaders & Executive Sponsors
- HR executives or other leaders who run ERG programs
Sponsorships starting at $5K – Click Here to View Sponsorship Packages / Individual Tickets $695 / 15% discount available for teams of 5 or more people
Questions: Contact [email protected]
Meet the Researcher
Affiliated Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Theresa Welbourne’s work focuses on human capital and leadership strategies that drive growth, innovation and high performance. She is known for her work on employee energy and how energy, direction and confidence come together to stimulate and sustain high sense of urgency cultures and organizational growth.
Benefits of the Strategic ERG Leadership Summit
Data-driven learning offered by top business school and research center
Collaboration across organizations to advance the impact of ERGs
Networking across industries and organizations
Resources to help ERG leaders drive innovation and growth
Career development and recognition
“The ERG Leadership Summit Sponsorship enabled us to be able to bring the learning to multiple members of our ERGs through in-person and virtual events. Multiplied the learning as all of our ERG members could work together on the competition and work with other organizations to learn from them too. A priority annual event for our team offered from USC Marshall Center for Effective Organizations.”
2025 ERG Summit Attendee
Become an ERG Leadership Summit Sponsor
When you sponsor the Strategic Resource Group Leadership Summit, you bring actionable insights and innovative strategies back to your organization, backed by the expertise and partnership of the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, and its Center for Effective Organizations, a top 20 business school and leader in ERG research since 2009.
By supporting ERG development and fostering collaboration, you strengthen your organization’s ability to attract and retain top talent, develop future leaders, enhance organizational agility, and drive business outcomes. Sponsorship demonstrates your commitment to empowering ERGs as strategic resources that contribute to measurable success and long-term growth.
2026 Summit Speakers
Chloe Berry
Inclusion and Belonging Coordinator
Inova
Andrea Espinosa
People Development Leader, Organizational Psychologist, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
Farrah Graves Purifoy
Manager of Employee Experience Programs and Operations
Entergy Corporation
Catherine Kenney
Specialist, Business Inclusion and Belonging Program
BCBS of MA
Kat O'Donnell
Director of Inclusion and Belonging
Inova Health
Ruth Rathblott
Bestselling Author, Consultant, and Leadership & Workplace Culture Expert
Sue Schmidlkofer
Talent – Inclusion & Belonging Director
UPS
Jennifer Sparks Taylor
Director of Corporate Relations & Executive Education
Center for Effective Organizations
Kathy Speight
Global Training & People Development Leader
Ecolab
Theresa M. Welbourne
Affiliated Senior Research Scientist
Center for Effective Organizations
KimArie Yowell
Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer
Rocket
Event Info
Event Dates
Virtual: September 29-30, 2026
Individual Pricing
Virtual Price: $695
15% Discount for teams of 5 or more. Contact us for discount. Virtual registration ends September 21, 2026.
University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination
This program is open to all eligible individuals. The Center for Effective Organizations operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Vivian Jimenez. We request that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least 7 days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.