Meet Our Guest Speakers

Samantha Khoury

Vice President, Human Resources, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Samantha Khoury Stewart serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Los Angeles Lakers, where she leads the organization's people strategy and fosters a culture of excellence within one of the most iconic franchises in professional sports. Since joining the Lakers in 2017, Samantha has been instrumental in aligning HR practices with the team's high-performance ethos, overseeing talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational effectiveness. ​

    Prior to her tenure with the Lakers, Samantha held HR leadership roles at prominent organizations including Pernod Ricard, NBCUniversal, The Madison Square Garden Company, and Sony Music Entertainment. Her diverse experience across entertainment, media, and sports has honed her ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and drive impactful people initiatives.

    Samantha holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Development from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education from Bowdoin College. She is also pursuing a coaching certification through iPEC Coaching, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.

    A passionate advocate for personal and professional growth, Samantha brings a wealth of experience and insight to discussions on taking ownership of one's development in the HR field.

  • Monday, July 14 - 9:30am

    There are so many growth opportunities for MSI’s HR team. We have grand visions for the team’s future, but you must own your development. This session will inspire you to take control of your career, build resilience, and create your own opportunities for advancement.

Mark Christensen

Sr. Director of People Culture & Partnerships, LifeGuides

  • Mark Christensen is the Senior Director of People Culture & Partnerships at LifeGuides, a peer-to-peer, human-to-human platform designed to reduce life challenges through empathetic connection and personalized support. With over 12 years of experience in people operations, partnerships, and community building, Mark is recognized as a “Superconnector” who fosters purpose-driven networks and cultures of care. ​

    At LifeGuides, Mark leads initiatives that align people, values, and partnerships to create meaningful impact. His work emphasizes the importance of human connection in organizational growth and personal development. Mark's approach integrates strengths-based development, conscious capitalism, and the evolving role of the modern elder in the digital age.​

    Mark's career includes leadership roles at organizations such as SHRM, PeopleInk, and Videoloco, where he focused on building organizational culture and strategic partnerships. He holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Ottawa University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.​

    A lifelong learner and mentor, Mark is passionate about disrupting traditional processes through strengths alignment and ethical, voluntary exchange. His commitment to elevating human potential makes him a valuable contributor to discussions on personal and professional growth in HR.

  • Monday, July 14 - 9:30am

    There are so many growth opportunities for MSI’s HR team. We have grand visions for the team’s future, but you must own your development. This session will inspire you to take control of your career, build resilience, and create your own opportunities for advancement.

Kathleen Pearson

CHRO, McDermott Will & Emery

  • Kathleen Pearson is the Global Chief Human Resources Officer at McDermott Will & Emery, a leading international law firm with over 3,000 partners and employees. A strategic and forward-thinking HR leader, Kathleen has been at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to human resources practices, driving innovation across talent acquisition, employee development, and workforce planning.

    With over 20 years of experience in human capital management, Kathleen is passionate about blending technology with a human-centered approach to create more agile, resilient, and inclusive organizations. Under her leadership, McDermott has pioneered the thoughtful integration of AI tools to enhance recruiting strategies, personalize employee experiences, and improve decision-making while maintaining a strong commitment to ethics, equity, and transparency.

    Kathleen is a recognized voice in the industry on the responsible use of AI in HR, hybrid work evolution, and mental health initiatives. She is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, a Board Director at Lambda Legal, and a frequent speaker on shaping the future of work through human-centric technology solutions.

    Kathleen holds a Master of Professional Studies from George Washington University and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.

  • Monday, July 14 - 1:00pm

    AI isn't the future—it's already here. Learn how to use new tools to work faster and smarter and free up your time for the work that truly moves the business forward.

Andrew Flowers

Chief Economist, Appcast

  • Andrew Flowers is the Chief Economist at Appcast, the global leader in programmatic recruitment advertising technology and services. He is the director of research at Recruitonomics.com – a hub for data-driven research that aims to help business leaders navigate the recruitment challenges they face caused by broader economic forces. He also manages the Appcast Data & Insights team – a 15-person team of economists, data scientists, data engineers, and data visualization experts that serve Appcast client data needs.

    A recognized expert on economic policy and the U.S. labor market, he has over 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Appcast, Flowers was an economist at Indeed, on the Hiring Lab research team; and before that he was the quantitative editor at FiveThirtyEight, Nate Silver’s data-driven news website. He began his career as an economic research analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago and an M.S. in Applied Economics from Boston College.

  • Tuesday, July 15 - 8:30am

    Get inside the realities of today’s labor market, from wage trends to talent scarcity. We’ll break down what’s happening in the U.S. and India—and what HR leaders must do to stay ahead.

Tucker Moore

Senior Branch Leader, MSI

  • Tucker Moore is a Senior Branch Leader at MSI. With nearly two decades of experience in the stone industry, Tucker has demonstrated a consistent ability to drive growth and operational excellence.​

    Tucker began his career in 2005 at Cosentino, starting from the ground level by measuring and installing countertops. He quickly advanced to Promoter and then Install Manager. Following the acquisition of Cosentino USA by Cosentino Spain in 2008, Tucker was tasked with expanding the company's Promoter network nationwide, successfully hiring 68 Promoters in just two years. He later led Cosentino’s Dallas branch, transforming it from the smallest revenue branch among the original 13 to the largest branch globally.​

    In 2019, Tucker joined MSI, where he led the Dallas branch from $28 million to over $75 million in revenue within three years. Currently, he oversees three branches: Dallas (TXDA), Austin (TXAU), and Oklahoma City (OKOK).

    Tucker's leadership is characterized by his hands-on approach, strategic vision, and ability to build high-performing teams. His extensive experience and commitment to excellence make him a valuable contributor to discussions on professional growth, leadership, and branch operations at MSI.

  • Tuesday, July 15 - 4:30pm

    Hear the real, unfiltered perspective on what it takes to run a branch—and how HR can be a true partner, not just a policy enforcer.

Lauren Tuma

Branch Leader, MSI

  • Lauren Tuma is the Branch Leader at MSI Surfaces in Austin, Texas, where she oversees operations, sales, and customer engagement for one of the region’s fastest-growing surface distribution centers. With a background in design, sales, and team leadership, Lauren has cultivated a reputation for building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional client experiences.​

    Prior to joining MSI in December, 2024, Lauren held leadership roles at Emser Tile, where she was recognized for her contributions to the multifamily and commercial design sectors. Her commitment to industry excellence was highlighted when she was featured on the cover of the Austin Apartment Association's magazine, acknowledging her influence in the field.​

    Although new to MSI, Lauren has already earned a reputation for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to foster a culture of innovation and accountability. She regularly hosts design trend events and CEU sessions, demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and industry engagement.​

    Lauren holds a degree from The University of Texas at Austin and is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders in the design and construction industries. Her fresh point of view on MSI branches, insights into team development, and customer-centric strategies make her a valuable contributor to discussions on what it takes to run a branch, what MSI does well, and what MSI can learn from other successful operations.

  • Tuesday, July 15 - 4:30pm

    Hear the real, unfiltered perspective on what it takes to run a branch—and how HR can be a true partner, not just a policy enforcer.

Christopher Bylone

Global Belonging Strategist, Innovation Unbiased

  • Christopher Bylone is the Global Head of Belonging at Krispy Kreme and a distinguished expert in fostering a sense of belonging through data-driven strategies. He established Krispy Kreme’s first Global Belonging Strategy, launched new Employee Resource Groups, and developed an Inclusive Behavior Model that outlines the expectations of how all employees should act in the workplace – inclusively! Before his tenure at Krispy Kreme, Christopher held various leadership roles at International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF), a global Fortune 500 company.

    Christopher also gained notoriety by speaking on the power of names and identity, highlighting the power in addressing someone by their name. This is more than just a courtesy—it's a crucial part of his identity. For many years people misgendered him based on the sound of his voice, assuming he was female when he went by Chris. To help people avoid this mistake, he started using his full name, Christopher. This small change significantly impacted on how he was perceived and respected.

    Christopher holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science from Rutgers University and a Masters degree in Organization Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

  • Wednesday, July 16 - 8:30am

    Discover how to foster a sense of belonging at scale, where everyone is welcomed, valued, and respected. We will explore strategies to create inclusive environments that celebrate diverse identities and enhance employee engagement and well-being by understanding HR's pivotal role in aligning these efforts with the company's vision and values.

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Bsharah, Ph.D.

Owner, Dynamic Collaborations LLC & Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University and USC

  • Jacquelyn (Jackie) is a strengths-based, goals-oriented change leader who takes an individualized approach to help her clients drive results, maximize talent, and create a collaborative culture. Jackie has been called “a game changer” by her clients for her ability to support individual and systems-level change simultaneously. Her strengths-based approach motivates her clients to identify and better internalize the elements aligned with their overall vision and business strategies. As a scholar-practitioner, Jackie uses well-researched and validated theories, models, and processes to help her clients develop practical, concrete steps for greater success. She is particularly proficient at fostering discussions that result in high-impact outcomes and relationships. One of her skills is helping clients leverage their strengths for more effectiveness, productivity, and satisfaction. Jackie has an unusual openness that puts her clients at ease, regardless of the individual, team, or organizational challenges they face.


    Before becoming a consultant, executive coach, and facilitator, Jackie covered national and international news for The Associated Press. She worked her way up from a nine-month temporary position to becoming Executive Producer (EP) of the Audio/Radio Division. As EP, Jackie managed three product lines and 30+ employees. She oversaw coverage of national and international news events. Under Jackie’s management, the Audio/Radio Division won two prestigious Murrow Awards for excellence in breaking news coverage.

  • Wednesday, July 16 - 10:00am

    Leadership requires bravery, not perfection. This immersive session will push you to practice courageous leadership—especially when it’s uncomfortable, complex, or high stakes.