Succession Planning in Practice: Insights from HR Leaders brings together experienced HR practitioners to share how succession planning is executed inside organizations. Through a facilitated panel discussion, speakers will walk through practical approaches, common challenges, and lessons learned from the field. Participants will leave with actionable ideas to strengthen leadership pipelines and drive continuity within their own organizations.
Director of Human Resources, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
Co-Chair, NYC SHRM Total Rewards SIG
Oris is a human resources professional with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles. She has managed a comprehensive range of HR functions, including benefits and compensation, compliance, DEI initiatives, employee relations, payroll management, policy implementation, performance management, organizational development, training and development, talent acquisition, and workforce management.
Sonali Goel (she/her) is an experienced talent management executive with a proven ability to drive business success through people-centric strategies. Possessing a deep understanding of global business dynamics, Sonali collaborates closely with leaders to foster high-performing, inclusive environments. With a focus on innovative talent solutions, Sonali has consistently delivered results that enhance talent acquisition,employee engagement, retention, and overall organizational performance. Her strong strategic thinking and adaptability allow her to thrive in complex global environments.
Presently the Senior Director of Talent Strategy for Macmillan Publishers, Sonali has also worked with Samsung, McAfee and Dell. Recognition for Sonali includes being honored as a 2024 CLO Learning in Practice Award winner and 2022 Power 100 honoree by Diversity Woman Magazine.
Sonali is certified in Change Management, Hogan Assessment Systems, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Predictive Index, Professional Coaching and Insights Discovery.
Sonali enjoys reading, focusing on health and well-being, and learning to navigate life as an empty nester. Sonali is a certified EMT and volunteers time with her town’s Ambulance Corps.
Sonam Arora is a global HR and Talent leader with over 16 years of international experience across Consumer Durables, Automobile, Banking, and Strategy Consulting. She has held roles at organizations including Whirlpool Corporation and Accenture Strategy Consulting, partnering closely with C-suite and global business leaders to design and implement people strategies that drive meaningful business impact.
Her expertise spans Talent Management and Succession Planning, Leadership Development, Organization Development, Performance Management, and DEI across both complex matrixed organizations and fast-growing firms. In addition to her HR leadership experience, Sonam has also worked in Sales and Strategy Consulting, giving her a broader business perspective on how leadership and talent decisions influence organizational performance.
Sonam is the Founder and Principal of “The Human Equation,” an HR Consulting and Executive Coaching firm focused on aligning leadership, talent, and business strategy. She is also a certified Executive Coach, working with leaders and organizations navigating growth, transition, and transformation.
She believes that succession planning is not simply an HR process, but a strategic leadership responsibility that ensures organizations build strong, future-ready leadership pipelines and sustain long-term business success.
Moderator.
Ken Meyer has been a member of New York City SHRM for over 20 years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2016.
He is currently the Principal at KWM HR Consulting LLC, a consulting firm providing organizations with a wide range of services including Management Coaching, Employee Coaching, Labor Relations Support, Workplace Investigations, Training and Leadership Development, Human Resources Strategic Planning and Human Resources Operational Support.
The Squadron NYC delivers fighter-pilot–inspired leadership training and team experiences in high-fidelity flight simulators at 7 World Trade Center. Guided by experienced pilots, teams practice rapid decision-making, clear communication under pressure, and structured debriefs that turn action into lasting improvement.
