2026 HR Tomorrow Speakers

2026 Speakers

Spend the day learning alongside peers across industries as speakers share insights on AI-enabled HR, using people analytics to drive business outcomes, and applying AI and data to strengthen workforce planning and execution.

Keynote Speakers

Alex Smith '05 MHRIR

HCM Industry Executive Director, Public Sector - Oracle

In her role, she is responsible for driving HCM Cloud growth by working with customers throughout their lifecycle and working with internal Public Sector teams to develop and execute Oracle’s GTM strategy. Prior to Oracle, Alex served as Chief Human Resources Officer for the city of Memphis, reporting directly to Mayor Jim Strickland from January 2016 to June 2023. Alex is the architect of the City's 21st-century talent management, total rewards, HRIS, and diversity practices, which helped move the city from a Glassdoor overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 in 2015 to 3.5 out of 5 in 2019. Also, in 2018, the city was among the first large municipal governments to move to Oracle HCM Cloud, earning recognition from Workforce Magazine for the achievement.

A firm believer in community service, Alex serves on the advisory council for 3SixtyInsights and the advisory board for Government Executive Media Group's RouteFifty. She also serves on the board of directors for the Soulsville Foundation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Duke University and a Master's degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Alex currently lives in Memphis with her two daughters.

Her work has been featured in Forbes, American City & County Magazine, Governing Magazine, and CNBC for modernizing government through cultural change, technology, and unique programs.