What is
Fusion NY?
Fusion NY is a two-day online event exploring how AI is reshaping HR and the future of work. Fusion NY focuses on practical strategies for adopting AI responsibly, redesigning work, and keeping human judgment at the center of transformation.
Why attend
Fusion NY?
As organizations face the defining challenge of 2026—the gap between AI adoption and actual business value—Fusion NY cuts through the hype to focus on what works. Through case studies, debates, keynotes, and live demos, we’ll explore why transformation stalls, how leading organizations are redesigning work, the risks and opportunities AI creates, and the human capabilities that remain essential in an AI-powered world.
The Fusion Conversation Continues
By popular demand, we are continuing the conversation about AI in HR with special Fusion podcast episodes. Stay tuned for more insights, predictions, and behind-the-scenes journeys from our amazing founders and speakers.
Join Fusion startup founders Adam Horne (Workforce by Openorg) and Shirley Baumer (Shapes) for a glimpse into their world as they shape the future of AI in HR. From spark to execution, navigating the ups and downs, keeping up with rapid shifts, learning to pivot and the power of collaboration, they share what it really takes to build in a space that is moving at unprecedented speed. Find out what the journey of a founder is really like!
Join Dr. Elizabeth C. Nelson, biomedical engineer and workplace researcher and Danica Ristić, HR consultant and Fusion host as they unpack the science behind high-performing workplaces.
Reframing burnout as a biological response, rather than a personal failure, the conversation explores how stress and our physical environment influence productivity and wellbeing. Find out why sustainable performance starts with understanding human biology and whether open-plan offices are helping or hurting employees.
DAY 1
Future of Work Conference + Pitching Day
An innovation-first conference day focused on AI in HR, emerging HR Tech and real-world use cases.
What to expect:
- Keynotes & panels with senior HR and tech leaders
- Practical AI & HR Tech use cases
- Startup, partner and vendor booths
- High-quality networking with a curated audience
DAY 2
Future of Work Conference + HR Builder Stage
A high-impact environment where selected HR Tech startups pitch their solutions to a curated HR Jury and investors.
What happens
- Startup pitch sessions
- Structured product evaluations & deep dives
- Direct, buyer-validated feedback
- Early demand signals for investors
Meet the Speakers Joining Fusion 2026
We’re bringing together HR leaders, founders, and operators sharing real-world perspectives on AI, talent, and how work is evolving, with more voices joining soon.
Jessie Schofer
Stakkd
Germany
Glenn Martin
Never Mind The Job Spec
United Kingdom
Marija Milosevic
Lovable
Serbia
David Hannibal
Wavefront Innovations
United States
Susan Chen
CoGrow Company
Singapore
Alisa Reznik
Leadify
Germany
Alycia Damp
Hirevue
Canada
Barbara Matthews
Remote
Ireland
Dr. Elizabeth Nelson
Learn Adapt Build
The Netherlands
Michael Jones
Tacit Works
Germany
Nadia Vatalidis
Doist
South Africa
Vanessa Monsequeira
Intelligence Rewired
Netherlands
Simon Büschges
Stealth Startup
Germany
Valerie Capers Workman
Empower Pharmacy
United States
Chad Sowash
The Chad & Cheese Podcast
Portugal
Kristen Kavanaugh
The Agency Initiative
USA
Maya Huber
Tatio
Israel
Micha Schipper
Leqture
Netherlands
Nina Hirota
Global Synergy Partner Solutions
United States
Yulia Barnakova
Accenture
United States
Phoung Vu
Talexa
Ireland
Fusion Startup Stage
Shirley Baumer
Shapes
United Kingdom
Eva Monima-Harrison
HIOFU
United Kingdom
Adam Horne
Workspace by OpenOrg
United Kingdom
Tom Zrubecky
Talentpilot
United States
Mikko Kivelä
Taito
Finland
Alisher Jafarov
Avery
Netherlands
Alexander Snurnitsyn
Beneflo
Latvia
Marcus Workman
Heirloom
United States
10:00 – 10:05 PM CET Conference opening
Peter Hopwood
Fusion Hello
10:05 – 10:25 PM CET Opening Keynote
Barbara Matthews // Remote
Running Lean in an AI-Powered Organization
10:25 – 10:35 PM CET Studio Session
Barbara Matthews & Peter Hopwood
10:40 – 11:10 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Nadia Vatalidis // Doist
Performance Systems: Human Centric & Machine Leveraged
10:40 – 11:10 PM CET Case Study | Track B
Vanessa Monsequeira // Intelligence Rewired
11:15 – 11:45 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Glenn Martin // Never Mind the Job Specs
Why Most AI Pilots Fail Before They Start
11:15 – 11:45 PM CET Case Study | Track B
Michael Jones // Tacit Works
The 15-Hour Handover: Documented with AI
11:15 – 11:45 PM CET Case Study | Track C
Susan Chen // CoGrow Company
The Death of Best Practices: AI Edition
11:50 – 12:20 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Nadia Vatalidis & Gonçalo Silva // Doist
AI Transformation: The View From the Inside
11:50 – 12:20 PM CET Case Study | Track B
Phuong Vu // Talexa AI
Mapping the AI-Human Capability Layer
12:30 – 13:00 PM CET Keynote | Track A, B and C
Jessie Schofer // Stakkd
The HR Operating Model in an AI Era
13:05 – 13:45 PM CET Panel | Track A
Moderator: Glenn Martin // Never Mind the Job Specs
Susan Chen // CoGrow Company
Tom Zrubecky // Talentpilot
Beyond the Tool: People-First AI
13:05 – 13:15 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
David Hannibal // Wavefront Innovations
Intro to Fusion
13:15 – 13:30 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Shirley Baumer // Shapes
Fusion Startup Pitch #1
13:30 – 13:45 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Alisher Jafarov // Avery
Fusion Startup Pitch #2
13:55 – 14:25 PM CET Founders Duel | Track A
Host: Chad Sowash // The Chad & Cheese Podcast
Micha Schipper //Leqture.com
Barb Hyman // Sapia.ai
AI Interviews: Turn It On or Keep It Human?
13:55 – 14:10 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Adam Horne // Workspace by OpenOrg
Fusion Startup Pitch #3
14:10 – 14:25 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Tom Zrubecky // Talentpilot
Fusion Startup Pitch #4
14:30 – 15:00 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Nina Hirota // Global Synergy Partner Solutions
Rethinking Leadership in the Age of Intelligent Work
14:30 – 14:45 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Mikko Kivelä // Taito AI
Fusion Startup Pitch #5
14:45 – 15:00 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Eva Monima-Harrison // HIOFU
Fusion Startup Pitch #6
15:05 – 15:35 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Valerie Workman // Empower Pharmacy
The New ROI: Measuring AI Collaboration
15:05 – 15:20 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Fusion Startup Pitch #7
15:20 – 15:35 PM CET Fusion Stage | Track B
Marcus Workman // Heirloom
Fusion Startup Pitch #8
15:35 – 15:55 PM CET Keynote | Track A, B, C
Keynote Speaker: David Hannibal // Wavefront Innovations
HR in the Driving Seat of AI Transformation
15:55 – 16:00 PM CET Conference Closing
Peter Hopwood
Conference Closing
10:00 – 10:05 PM CET Conference opening
Peter Hopwood
Fusion Hello
10:05 – 10:30 PM CET Opening Keynote Day II
Dr. Elizabeth Nelson // Learn Adapt Build
The Biological Blueprint for High Performance
10:35 – 11:00 PM CET Track A & B
Daria Rudnik // Daria Rudnik Coaching & Consulting
Feel, Think, Work: Building Teams in the AI Era
11:05 – 11:45 PM CET Workshop | Track A & B
Marija Milošević // buildthat.tech & Lovable
Workshop: From Idea to Working Tool in 40 Minutes
11:50 – 12:20 PM CET Founders Duel | Track A
Host: Chad Sowash // The Chad & Cheese Podcast
Maya Huber // Tatio
Phuong Vu // Talexa
The Skills Debate: All In or All Wrong?
11:50 – 12:20 PM CET Case Study | Track B
Andrei Zaharia // Graia
The Closed Performance Loop
12:25 – 12:55 PM CET AI in HR Panel | Track A
Moderator: Simon Drinkwater // Vantor Advisory
Alisa Reznik // Leadify
Simon Büschges // Stealth Startup
Erica Farmer // Quantum Rise Talent Group
What AI Cannot – or Should Not – Do in HR?
12:25 – 12:55 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Whit Thiele // Flcn AI
AI Orchestration: AI in HR Agent Demo
13:05 – 13:35 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Yulia Barnakova // Accenture
Connected Leadership in the AI Era
13:05 – 13:20 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Nhat Nguyen // Chosen HQ
HR Builders: Automating the Recruiting Lifecycle
13:20 – 13:35 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Cishawn Randolph // Dialog Lab
HR Builders: Practice the Conversation Before It Matters
13:40 – 14:10 PM CET Case Study | Track A
Vladimir Bozovic // ZenHire
The Bias Hiding in AI Funnels
13:40 – 13:55 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Charles (Chuck) Amos // Polymetis Consulting
HR Builders: Killing the HR Spreadsheet Load
13:55 -14:10 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Deb Haas // The Unexamined Mind
HR Builders: Diagnostic Vibe Coding for HR Ops
14:15 – 14:45 PM CET AI in HR Panel | Track A
Moderator:
Vanessa Monsequeira // Intelligence Rewired
Dorottya Nagy-Józsa // CEO Y2Y Ltd.
Adam Horne // Open Org
John Rood // Proceptual
Societal Impact of AI
14:15 – 14:30 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Brannon Skillern // Carnelian Collective
HR Builders: Automating the Parental Leave Spreadsheet
14:30 – 14:45 PM CET HR Builder Stage | Track B
Stacey Talve // CoreSynergy Partners
HR Builders: Predicting What Breaks During Growth
14:50 – 15:25 PM CET Case Study | Track A & B
Alycia Damp // HireVue
Speed vs Quality: The science behind AI-powered Hiring
15:30 – 15:55 PM CET Keynote | Track A & B
Keynote speaker: Kristen Kavanaugh // The Agency Initiative
Courage Over Fear
15:55 – 16:00 PM CET Conference Closing
Peter Hopwood
Conference Closing
What we’ll explore at Fusion
Fusion is designed as a two-day journey – from AI-driven inspiration to real-world validation.
The Human Blueprint Behind Successful AI
AI in HR: From Experimentation to Meaningful Impact
Real-World AI Applications Across HR functions
How HR executives evaluate HR Tech solutions
Buyer expectations vs. startup promises
Early demand signals before traction shows in numbers
WHO IS IT FOR
Fusion is built for the people shaping the future of HR Tech – those who don’t just follow trends, but actively test, validate and influence what comes next.
HR Leaders
Fusion is designed for senior HR professionals who want to stay ahead of AI and HR Tech trends – and actively shape the tools they may later use.
Why attend:
- Discover new HR Tech before it scales
- Be visible at a status-signaling AI in HR event
- Directly influence future HR solutions
- Shape the Human era of AI in HR
- Connect with peers, founders and investors
HR Tech Startups
Fusion offers growth-stage startups something rare: instant, structured validation from real HR buyers.
This is not a demo day – it’s a feedback-driven experience built to help founders refine, position and accelerate their solutions.
Startup value:
- Pitch to a curated group of HR decision-makers
- Promotion before, during and after the event
- Structured feedback & scoring from industry leaders
- Clear signal on market fit, positioning, and buyer expectations
Advisory Board
Fusion gives HR leaders the opportunity to influence emerging HR Tech – by providing real-world insight before solutions are shaped for the wider market.
Why become an advisor:
- Evaluate innovative HR solutions before they scale
- Share expertise directly with vetted HR Tech founders
- Help shape technology around real workplace needs
- Strengthen your influence in the future of HR Tech ecosystem
Join Fusion live for the full experience, or unlock extended learning with on-demand access to the most relevant AI & HR Tech topics for 2026.
Get to know the AI Experts who shaped our previous event
We’re bringing visionary HR professionals and business leaders to share fresh AI in HR insights, inspiring stories, and practical strategies for the future of work.
Jessie Schofer
Stakkd
Germany
David Hannibal
Wavefront Innovations
United States
Alycia Damp
Hirevue
Canada
Barbara Matthews
Remote
Ireland
Dr. Elizabeth Nelson
Learn Adapt Build
The Netherlands
Nadia Vatalidis
Doist
South Africa
Vanessa Monsequeira
Intelligence Rewired
Netherlands
Valerie Capers Workman
Empower Pharmacy
United States
Chad Sowash
The Chad & Cheese Podcast
Portugal
Kristen Kavanaugh
The Agency Initiative
USA
Charles (Chuck) Amos
AI for HR Community
United States
Nina Hirota
Global Synergy Partner Solutions
United States
Phuong Vu
Talexa
Ireland
Fusion Startup Stage
Shirley Baumer
Shapes
United Kingdom
Eva Monima-Harrison
HIOFU
United Kingdom
Adam Horne
Workspace by OpenOrg
United Kingdom
Tom Zrubecky
Talentpilot
United States
Mikko Kivelä
Taito
Finland
Alisher Jafarov
Avery
Netherlands
Alexander Snurnitsyn
Beneflo
Latvia
Marcus Workman
Heirloom
United States
HR Builder Stage
Deb Haas
The Unexamined Mind
United States
Stacey Talve
CoreSynergy Partners
United States
Cishawn Randolph
Dialog Lab
United States
Brannon Skillern
Carnelian Collective
United States
Nhat Nguyen
Chosen HQ
United States
