Rocky Mountain People & Strategy Newsletter: April 2026 
President's Report
We want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the dedicated RMPS board members who have served during this past calendar year. This group has consistently stepped up - taking on new responsibilities, supporting one another, and showing up for our broader community in meaningful ways. Quite simply, RMPS wouldn’t be able to deliver the programs and learning experiences we do without them.
A heartfelt thank you to Andy, Anne, Ashley, Cathy, Hannah, Jahnavi, Ken, Keri, Laurel, Laura, Mullai, Noel and Tina.
Speaking of board roles, current members of RMPS will vote on the 2026/2027 officer roles of Co-President and Secretary/Treasurer in May through a voting form that will be emailed to you. The officers must be current board members and are nominated by the Board. Board members-at large nominations will also begin in May and are open to any member. If you are interested in being considered as a member-at-large, we want to hear from you! Or if you don’t have the time to join the board or are not yet a member, but would like to get more involved, you can sign up as a volunteer on one of our committees. We have lots of opportunities! Stay tuned for the communication in May or email us directly at [email protected].
On June 18, we will honor the recipients of our annual Pillar Awards at a luncheon. This is always a highlight of the year! You will have an opportunity to hear from each of them as they present their innovative and impactful programs in one of the pillar areas: HR Strategy and Planning, Organizational Effectiveness, Talent Management and Rising Star. Join us to celebrate their achievements in People practices and get inspired!
Looking ahead to the 2026/2027 calendar year that begins in September, we value your input and ask that you share any ideas/thoughts you have about programs that interest you and that you think others would benefit from. What topics are relevant to you right now? Who are the speakers you find most compelling? Our goal is to continue bringing you timely, high-impact programs in the world of People leadership and your ideas help make that possible.
Enjoy the spring!
Pattie and Robin
Program Highlights
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APRIL HIGHLIGHTS |
APPLYING AI FOR ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACTOur April program, Applying AI for Organizational Impact, brought together nearly 100 members and guests for a dynamic discussion on one of the most urgent topics facing organizations today. Panelists challenged attendees to rethink AI not as an IT initiative, but as a business, leadership, and people strategy imperative that leaders must be acting on now. The conversation pushed beyond hype to explore how AI is reshaping work, talent, and organizational design—and what companies risk if they wait too long to adapt. Thank you to our panelists, sponsors, and attendees for making it a highly engaging and thought-provoking event. |
professional development groupsOur 2026 Professional Development Group continues to meet monthly in a virtual setting, diving into timely and relevant topics shaping today’s HR landscape. At the end of March, our 30+ members came together for an engaging session focused on change and transformation management. This peer-led cohort brought the topic to life through a fun, interactive Kahoot! game—debunking common myths around change management while sparking meaningful discussion and deeper insights. A big thank you to our sponsor, Marsh McLennan Agency, for supporting this member-only experience and helping make it possible. |
Sponsor Profile
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AON |
We are proud to Renew Our Platinum partnership with Aon.Aon is a leading global professional services firm that helps organizations make better decisions to protect and grow their business and their people. In the Human Capital and Total Rewards space, we bring deep expertise in compensation, benefits, wellbeing, workforce analytics, and talent strategy to help employers attract, retain, and engage critical talent. Our teams draw on robust data and benchmarking, market leading surveys, and analytics driven insights to design rewards programs that are competitive, cost effective, and aligned to each organization’s unique culture and business strategy. What sets Aon apart is our ability to connect Human Capital solutions with our broader Aon United capabilities across Risk Capital. We help organizations understand how workforce, rewards, and wellbeing strategies intersect with business risks such as health care cost volatility, people risk, cyber, ESG, and operational resilience. By integrating our Health & Benefits, Retirement, Talent, and Risk solutions, we provide a more holistic view of risk and opportunity, enabling leaders to make confident decisions that support both employee outcomes and business performance. Across the Rocky Mountain region and globally, Aon partners with clients of all sizes, and industries to navigate complexity and change, whether driven by growth, M&A, labor market dynamics, or evolving regulations. Our collaborative, cross functional teams bring practical, data-backed guidance and a focus on execution, helping HR and Total Rewards leaders translate strategy into results for their people and their organizations. In Aon's words - Value of our sponsorship:Aon greatly values our Platinum sponsorship of Rocky Mountain People & Strategy because it allows us to actively participate in a highly engaged community of HR and business leaders. Through RMPS, we are able to expand and deepen our network, build name recognition with decision-makers across the region, and cultivate meaningful business relationships. Just as important, the partnership creates opportunities to share relevant thought leadership and practical content during programs and events, contributing to high-quality dialogue on the evolving world of work. We see this sponsorship as a true two-way partnership, supporting the RMPS mission while also learning from and collaborating with its members. |
Pillar Awards
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2026 PILLAR AWARDS - JUNE 18 |
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Many times, the People function is an unsung hero, doing amazing work and lifting their organizations up in the process. They drive business impact every day. We want to celebrate that work and recognize those driving results while strengthening cultures and creating great places to work. The Rocky Mountain People & Strategy Pillar Awards highlight and honor individuals and organizations doing exceptional work. Awards are based on 4 categories. Categories:
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JOIN US: June 18Join us for our 4th annual Pillar Awards to celebrate and honor the remarkable HR professionals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have not only strengthened the foundation of their organizations but also elevated the HR profession as a whole.
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Membership
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JOIN OUR COMMUNITY |
Benefits of joining include
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membership dues auto-renewal is here!Good news! Starting in February 2026, we are offering auto-renewal for all practitioner and consultant categories. Benefits:
Here's how it works:If you opt in to auto-renewal, you will receive a Renewal Reminder 7 days prior to your annual membership expiration date. Three days before expiration, your credit card will be processed and you will receive an email receipt. You may cancel auto-renewal at any time. FAQs:1. When can I sign up for auto-renewal?Members will see the option to opt into auto-renewal when they go through:
2. Do I have to sign up for auto-renewal?No, this is optional and you can change your preferences at any time. 3. What if I cancel auto-renewal?
4. What if I cancel within the 3-day window?
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Sponsors
RMPS thanks our sponsors for supporting us throughout the year!We are indebted to them for their generous financial and in-kind donations.Platinum: Aon Academic: Daniels College of Business, University of Denver PDG Event Sponsorship: Marsh McLennan Agency |