2026 HR LAB

Inside the AI Playbook: Real Ideas, Real Stories, Real Transformation

About 2026 HR Lab:

Leaders and employees alike are consumed by the pace of AI transformation and the noise that comes with countless new tools and possibilities. This event brings HR and business/tech leaders together to share honest stories from their AI journeys, what worked, what failed, what they rebuilt, and what surprised them.

Attendees will learn:

• How organizations are turning AI into real products and real competitive advantage

• Where talent and capability gaps are emerging, and how HR is responding

• How internal communication and change strategies help accelerate adoption

• What the messy middle of AI transformation actually looks like inside an organization

• How leaders are balancing speed to market with employee readiness and long-term strategy

This is not a traditional panel. It is a practical, behind-the-scenes look at AI transformation designed to help leaders cut through the noise, make smarter decisions, and understand how these lessons apply to their own business.

Registration is $30 per ticket, and all proceeds will go directly to Washburn Center for Children.

Date: Wednesday, February 11th

Time: 8:00 am-10:00 am CST

Location: Wayzata Country Club
200 Wayzata Blvd W, Oron,o MN 55391

Moderator: Kathy Robideau, Chief Growth Officer at Versique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting

GUESTS:

Carita Hibben, Vice President of Human Resources at C.H. Robinson
Julie Avchen, Process Improvement & Process Control Director at C.H. Robinson
Kristin Gaarder, Chief People Officer at Perforce
Mike Halvorson, Vice President of Technology at Perforce

Food: Breakfast included

Cost: $30

Don’t miss your opportunity to listen to a powerhouse team on how they’ve gone beyond a basic integration to bring their organizations to the next level.

About the Panelists

Julie Avchen

Process Improvement & Process Control Director, C.H. Robinson

Julie Avchen brings extensive experience leading large-scale operational, cultural, and technology transformation across complex organizations. Throughout her career at C.H. Robinson, she has partnered closely with frontline employees, technology leaders, and business teams to implement automation and emerging technologies that improve efficiency while keeping people at the center of the work. Julie has led operational excellence initiatives, embedded lean principles into daily operations, and overseen learning and development programs supporting thousands of employees across multiple business units. Her background spans field operations leadership, process improvement, and key account management, and she was part of the team that defined The Robinson Way, the cultural behaviors guiding the organization today. Julie’s career also includes supply chain and planning roles at CF Industries and overseeing the launch and operations of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, giving her a uniquely broad perspective on change leadership, organizational alignment, and sustainable transformation.

Carita Hibben

Vice President of Human Resources, C.H. Robinson

Carita Hibben brings deep experience leading enterprise-wide talent strategy, HR transformation, and global workforce initiatives across complex organizations. Since joining C.H. Robinson in 2018, she has been accountable for shaping the majority of the company’s global HR function, partnering closely with business leaders to modernize how talent, rewards, technology, and employee services support organizational goals. Carita has led large-scale system implementations including Workday, ServiceNow, and Xactly, and has driven the simplification and modernization of compensation programs to strengthen equity, transparency, and alignment between pay and performance. Her background includes senior HR leadership roles at Starkey, Schwan’s, and G&K Services, as well as long-standing involvement in leadership development, sponsorship, and inclusion initiatives. She currently serves on the Boards of Make-A-Wish Minnesota and the HR Executive Forum and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State University.

Kristin Gaarder

Chief People Officer, Perforce

Kristin Gaarder brings more than two decades of experience leading people strategy, organizational effectiveness, and culture transformation across a range of industries. Throughout her career, she has been a trusted advisor to business leaders, known for building workplaces where employees feel supported, engaged, and empowered to do their best work. Kristin has led initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, improve well-being, and align people practices with broader business goals, helping organizations navigate change while keeping people at the center of decision-making. Her background spans multiple organizational environments, giving her a broad perspective on the evolving challenges facing HR leaders today. Kristin holds a master’s degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations from the University of Wisconsin. She is actively involved in her community, volunteering with Avenues for Youth and the Three Rivers Park District.

Mike Halvorson

Vice President of Technology, Perforce

Mike Halvorson brings more than 20 years of experience leading technology transformation, operational excellence, and scalable IT strategy within software organizations. At Perforce Software, he partners closely with business leaders to align technology initiatives with organizational goals, building systems and teams that support growth, efficiency, and innovation. Mike’s background spans IT operations, infrastructure, cloud and hybrid environments, and large-scale system optimization, with a strong track record of delivering solutions that create measurable business value. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he focuses on developing talent and fostering strong relationships across the organization to ensure technology enables people to do their best work. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from St. Cloud State University.