10 Unforgettable Moments from Ten Years of Workhuman Live History

Workhuman Live isn’t just any HR conference – it’s where game-changing ideas meet heartfelt moments, and making work more human takes center stage.

For everyone who’s ever been to Workhuman Live, one thing we consistently hear is how influential and truly groundbreaking it is. That magic comes from the unforgettable moments that aren’t always planned – they arise naturally when an event is so authentically rooted in what matters and unafraid to tackle the tough questions. It’s a conference about big things, like shaping the future of work; but also about changing lives, one human moment at a time. Starting with the moments you experience at the conference.

Moments that inspire HR champions to make work more human

If you’ve been to Workhuman Live in the past 10 years, or if you’ve talked to someone who’s attended, one thing should be crystal clear – in fact, we hear it so often we can’t blame people for wondering if it’s hype: This isn’t your typical HR conference. It’s a vibrant gathering where voices from every corner of the workplace come together: HR champions, industry leaders, employees, and even cultural icons. The magic lies in this mix of perspectives, which sparks conversations that challenge the status quo and inspire actionable change.

Every year, attendees leave with fresh insights, new connections, and the tools to champion a more human workplace. From bold leaders sharing their stories to dynamic workshops offering cutting-edge strategies, this is where diverse experiences converge to amplify the message: Work can be better for everyone.

Skeptical? Let us remind you of 10 iconic moments that took place in the past decade at this remarkable HR conference.

2015: “Hello, Humans!”

It all started with the first words on the first day of the first conference. When we were still Globoforce, EMCEE Derek Irvine bounded onstage to open the inaugural Workhuman Live with the iconic greeting, “Hello, Humans!” It set the stage for what would become a hallmark of the conference: celebrating humanity in the workplace. The event brought together a small but passionate group of HR champions, sparking conversations about the importance of recognition and creating a culture of appreciation. For us, it was an important moment. Anyone in the room that day was crystal clear that something big was just sparked – the Workhuman Live community was beginning its journey as a champion of making work more human.

2016: Michael J. Fox’s keynote on optimism

Actor and advocate Michael J. Fox delivered an unforgettable keynote conversation in 2016, weaving his personal experiences with insights on optimism, gratitude, and resilience. His stories highlighted the power of positivity and gratitude in overcoming challenges – a theme that resonated deeply with the audience. This chat with Julie Zadow underscored the value of recognition in fostering not only workplace culture but also individual well being.

Writer Jennifer Miller reflected at the time: “Fox’s message was spot on. After hearing him extoll the benefits of gratitude, optimism, and the meaning of work, it finally all came together for me. The reason I can so easily conjure up Fox’s various quips, is that he’s 100%, all-in human. What he says comes from a place of true decency. Not perfection; he’s gone on the record about his personal challenges over the years.”

2017: Michelle Obama on leadership and empathy

Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s keynote captivated our audience in 2017 with her insights on leadership, empathy, and inclusion. Her emphasis on the role of empathy in leadership and workplace transformation resonated with HR leaders seeking to inspire actionable change within their organizations.

“You know that adrenaline rush you get right before seeing Queen Bey, Coldplay, or insert-your-favorite-band-here?” wrote Vicki Salemi in Self Magazine, “A similar electric atmosphere filled the air a few weeks ago at WorkHuman’s 2017 Powerhouse Conference, an HR event I attended as a career expert and former corporate recruiter. The only difference was that an iconic band wasn’t performing. Instead, we were awaiting the arrival of Michelle Obama, former first lady, style icon, and all-around incredibly inspiring woman.”

“We have to love ourselves, we have to love each other. We have to stop competing with each other, we have to start lifting each other up,” said Obama, urging audience members to push toward equity. “Be leaders, don’t wait until somebody makes you do it or until the law changes. Do it because it’s the right thing to do.” 

2018: #MeToo Movement panel sparks change

In a groundbreaking panel discussion, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, journalist Ronan Farrow, and actress Ashley Judd addressed issues of workplace harassment and gender bias. This candid conversation empowered attendees to tackle systemic challenges within their organizations, amplifying the conference’s role as a space for radical ideas and divergent thinking.

As attendee and writer Mary Faulkner shared that year: “The panel discussed how the conversation needs to move from ‘can I hug women’ to ‘treat all people like human beings, dammit,’ and it was a real look at what comes next.”

2018: Amal Clooney advocates for human rights

Amal Clooney, international human rights attorney and wife of Actor George Clooney, spoke on the intersection of justice, organizational values, and human rights. Her dynamic insights inspired attendees to integrate advocacy and fairness into their workplace strategies, reinforcing Workhuman’s mission to elevate organizational integrity. George and Amal spoke back-to-back at the Workhuman conferences in 2019 and 2018, respectively, and both delivered riveting sessions.

2019: George Clooney reflects on values

The following year, George Clooney spoke from the heart about the core values that guide his work and the importance of helping others in need. As Mary Faulkner wrote: “Perhaps the quote that has stuck with me the most is this: “You are never on the wrong side of history when your aim is progress.” Progress is helping others. Progress is a hand up, not a hand out. Progress is teaching empathy. Progress is vulnerability and learning from mistakes. Progress is making a workplace that is welcoming and safe for all people. Progress is representation – in investing, in community, in movies, in the boardroom, in life. Progress is using your platform to advance society forward, not move it backwards.”

2019: Viola Davis’s story of resilience

Oscar-Winning Actress Viola Davis shared her journey of overcoming adversity and embracing vulnerability, weaving a powerful narrative about the transformative power of recognition. Her call to recognize the humanity in others resonated with HR champions, inspiring them to drive cultural transformation within their organizations.

“We must all be committed to create an atmosphere that brings people up,” said Davis. “And know that if you really care, it is going to cost you something. Change doesn’t happen without chaos and anxiety. Heroes are just as ordinary and scared as everyone else. They just stay five minutes longer.” 

2019: Dan Levy brings humor and heart

Actor and Creator of Schitt’s Creek Dan Levy brought levity and authenticity to the stage, emphasizing the role of storytelling in fostering inclusion and belonging. His keynote reminded attendees of the human element at the heart of recognition programs, sparking conversations on how to create a workplace culture that embraces diversity.

“It shows how often we can look beyond the expected to see the amazing,” said Levy. 

2017–2025: The Gratitude Bar

A recurring favorite at Workhuman Live, the Gratitude Bar allows attendees to send live recognition messages to fellow event-goers via the Workhuman platform. This initiative embodies the spirit of the conference, with millions of recognition moments celebrated over the years. The visual display of appreciation – from gratitude trees to walls – has become a beloved tradition, inspiring attendees to bring these practices back to their organizations.

As attendee, CHRO, and author Angela Champ explains it, 

“They really live up to what they’re trying to focus on  –  which is recognition and saying thank you to your colleagues and fellow humans. For those of you who haven’t gone, every year they have a Gratitude Bar where any participant can go and recognize another participant or one of the speakers, or one of the organizers and just give them a shout-out which becomes very public. You can [see it on the wall]. And it’s very gratifying you sit there and watch what people are grateful for, for one another, and it actually fills YOU with the desire to express gratitude. It’s a very virtuous cycle.”

2024: Eric Mosley’s vision for AI and humanity

Workhuman CEO Eric Mosley delivered a forward-thinking session last year on the integration of AI into the workplace, emphasizing its potential to amplify human-centric practices. By exploring the role of AI in recognition and performance management, Mosley underscored Workhuman’s commitment to driving innovation while making work more human.

As attendee Carly Ackerman recalled: “In his opening keynote, Eric Mosley shared a quote that I’m now going to paraphrase. I did some light googling… I can’t seem to find the original author of this quote: ‘Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well. They don’t recognize their true beauty and how much they grow and evolve.’ Whether this is scientifically true or not, I like this quote, and I choose to interpret it as encouraging us to take a beat to try to picture the growth path we’ve been on. Perhaps we’re not undergoing anything so extreme as what happens inside a chrysalis (or maybe you are… go you!), but growth – no matter how negligible – is worth celebrating.”

What makes the conference unforgettable, in the words of attendees

Here are a few of the things other attendees have had to say about the iconic moments at this event over the years, and why they find Workhuman Live so unforgettable.

“It’s not just a conference… It’s a movement! Workhuman is a collection of people who are inspired and dedicated to changing how we work and making it more human. What really stood out to me about this conference is how fast and how deep you make connections with people. No one is there to check the box. There was a palpable energy that was contagious. I would highly recommend this conference for personal and professional growth.” – Caroline S. 

“One of the things I love about this conference is its ability to drive diverse kinds of workplace conversations amongst attendees. We are offered opportunities to connect and to discuss what we’ve been hearing from the content delivered. We share ideas and dream about what could be in our organizations. It is an incredibly special time.” – John Baldino

“Workhuman Live is the game-changer of conferences, where the world’s best minds gather to share transformative ideas and inspire a community of thousands to create more human workplaces everywhere. It offers an exciting experience that tackles relevant DEIB topics, actionable ways to reinvent work, and creates an empowering space for people to learn and be recognized.” – Kristen Harcourt

“This conference fills my soul because, as Workhuman says, ‘Without humans, it’s just work.’ The best part is the amazing people I meet: HR and other leaders looking to build high-performing and fulfilling workplaces. The second best part is the speakers; this year did not disappoint.”  – Elizabeth J. Sandler

“The day after and I’m still feeling the buzz of strong inspiration during workplace re-entry. This conference goes beyond the high of hearing about change – it shares the how-to-do-it, with real growth and change on a global level.  It’s an invitation. It’s an education, and it’s fantastic to be invited to have a voice in the movement.  Speakers include first class entertainers, international business leaders, thought leaders, PhD’s, leaders of diversity and inclusion, neuroscientists, social scientists…. a powerful roster for uplifting hearts and minds. Get thee to Denver next year!” – Steve W. 

Helping HR leaders expand their strategies on recognition, rewards, employee experience, and the future of work

Workhuman Live is unique not just because of its stand-out, iconic moments but also because it dives deeper into the topics that matter most to leaders and employees worldwide. From recognition and rewards to employee experience and performance management, the event offers a comprehensive content strategy designed to inspire and equip attendees with actionable insights.

Through engaging workshops, inspiring keynotes, and dynamic panel discussions, attendees gain access to cutting-edge strategies and practical tools to tackle challenges in the workplace. Whether it’s exploring the future of work, fostering a culture of inclusion, or uncovering hidden opportunities through real-time data, this conference helps leaders take their organizations to the next level.

Looking ahead: Workhuman Live 2025 in Denver

As we approach this year’s event, the excitement is palpable. Hosted in picturesque Colorado from May 12–15, Workhuman Live 2025 will explore cutting-edge strategies and bold ideas for personal growth, organizational resilience, and innovative leadership. With new tracks designed to elevate the employee experience and foster collaboration, the conference promises to be the industry’s premier destination for HR champions.

Stay inspired. Stay human. Let’s make work better, together. Join us in Colorado in May.

About Darcy Jacobsen

Darcy is a passionate storyteller and champion of workforce transformation, human connection, and recognition-driven culture. As an author on the Workhuman Live Blog, she loves to connect deep research insights with modern workplace dynamics to uncover what really drives engagement, belonging, and happiness at work. With a background in communications and a master’s in medieval history, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, taking deep dives into all topics around organizational psychology and the science of gratitude.