In Partnership with:
The future of HR is strategic, data-informed, and deeply human. Is your organization ready?
Queen’s University IRC’s 2026 HR Trends Report, based on a national survey of over 500 HR and labour relations professionals, reveals a profession at a critical turning point. Join us as we explore the report’s key findings and what they mean for HR’s evolving role as a strategic partner in leadership development, organizational culture, labour relations, workforce planning, and responsible technology adoption.
In this webinar, you will learn to:
- Analyze the key HR and labour relations trends shaping 2026
- Evaluate organizational readiness for sustainable transformation
- Apply evidence-based insights to strengthen HR strategy and decision making
- Strengthen HR’s role as a strategic business partner and change leader
Event Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the key HR and labour relations trends shaping 2026
Participants will build knowledge of the most significant priorities and pressures facing organizations across Canada, based on the findings from a national survey of over 500 professionals. - Assess organizational readiness for sustainable transformation
Participants will strengthen their strategic diagnostic skills by learning how to identify common gaps that can limit long-term progress and resilience. - Apply evidence-based insights to strengthen HR strategy and decision making
Participants will enhance their ability to translate workforce data and emerging trends into practical individual and organizational priorities. - Strengthen HR’s role as a strategic business partner and change leader
Participants will build confidence in positioning HR as a strategic partner that connects people, technology, and business priorities to support performance, engagement, and stability during change.
Speakers:
Alison Darling is the Director of Professional Programs at Queen’s University IRC and oversees the strategic direction of this award-winning centre. She has a wealth of international and leadership experience, having worked in the U.K., Germany, Türkiye, Japan and Canada. In her role, she collaborates with industry leaders, organizations and University colleagues to create programs that meet the needs of leaders across sectors and industries. Her expertise lies in the areas of cross-cultural leadership, operational effectiveness, human resources and labour relations. She is a strong business development professional who is passionate about leading with compassion and prioritizing team wellbeing.
Wylie Burke is an innovation consultant, educator, and leadership coach with over 16 years of experience in business administration, HR, organizational design, strategic and operational planning, and leading high-performing teams. At Queen’s IRC, she teaches AI-Powered Workforce Planning, Talent Management, and Managing Workplace Conflicts and is a leadership coach through the University of Toronto’s Centre for Learning and Leadership. Wylie has worked with organizations like United Way, CIBC, and SickKids, leading cultural transformations and large-scale change strategies. Passionate about unleashing potential, she specializes in aligning strategy with organizational structure and creating sustainable, people-centred solutions. Wylie holds an MBA from Queen’s University, an Honours Sociology degree from York University, and is an Adler Trained Coach.