LEAP HR: Data Centers
About the Event
LEAP HR: Data Centers is a two-day, peer-led conference organized by Hanson Wade Group, running September 9-10, 2026 at The Westin Dulles Washington Airport in Herndon, Virginia. The event positions itself as the only HR-focused forum built for the data center industry, bringing together senior HR, talent acquisition, and workforce leaders from data center construction and live operations. The 2026 edition is the launch year. Accreditation is provided by SHRM and HRCI.
Programming Focus
- Talent attraction strategies for highly mobile field workforces
- Building shift-ready operational capability at scale
- Reducing attrition during high-growth build cycles
- Workforce design for safety, reliability, and uptime
- Cross-ecosystem panels with operators and contractors
- Sourcing talent pipelines beyond traditional poaching
- Scaling HR strategy to match data center build velocity
Featured Speakers
- Nick Haughton, Senior HR Business Partner, Data Center Operations, Microsoft
- Stephanie Zimmerman, Head of Human Resources, Data Centers, JLL
- Kyle Mullinix, Head of Human Resources, Global Operations & Data Centers, Equinix
- Amy Garner, Vice President, Workforce Planning & Strategy, Vantage Data Centers
- Christina York, Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Inclusion, Fortis Construction
- Rosemary Adams, Vice President, Talent Acquisition, JE Dunn
- Dan Lester, Vice President, Field Culture & Inclusion, Clayco
- Lauren Belles, Senior Manager, Data Center Early in Career & Military Recruiting, Oracle
- Jeanie Kelley, Vice President, Human Resources, RK Industries
- Kia Chalmers, Senior Human Resources Director, OVHcloud
Sponsors
Expertise: AMS, Evolution Cloud Services (EVOCS), Uptime Institute
Innovation: Interplay Learning, NCCER, NCW, Site Secure Group
Exhibition: Workable
Who Should Attend
- HR directors and CHROs at data center operators and developers
- Talent acquisition leaders in data center construction firms
- Workforce planning and L&D managers in mission-critical environments
- Senior HR professionals at hyperscalers and colocators
- Engineering and operations leaders accountable for workforce readiness
Logistics
Venue: The Westin Dulles Washington Airport, 2520 Wasser Terrace, Herndon, VA. Registration available through the event website.