Business Fluency for HR: From Insights to Influence (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Business Fluency for HR: From Insights to Influence

Hosted by The Leadership Edge and Campus Point by Alexandria, the pinnacle of premier meeting and conference spaces.

Today’s business environment is complex, fast-moving, and shaped by constant change. Market pressures, evolving strategies, organizational transformation, and competing priorities all influence leadership decisions. For HR leaders, succeeding in this environment requires more than strong functional expertise—it requires business fluency and the ability to translate insight into influence.

Join the SDHR Forum for a practical conversation on how HR leaders can strengthen their understanding of the business and use that knowledge to drive greater impact. This discussion will explore concrete, actionable ways HR can gain deeper business insights and how that fluency elevates communication, credibility, and partnership with executive leaders.

The session will focus on how clear, strategic communication—grounded in business realities—enables HR to align people strategies with organizational priorities and influence outcomes at the leadership table.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet Our Guest Speakers:

Gaylene Xanthopoulos

Gaylene Xanthopoulos is a seasoned leadership strategist and trusted advisor with more than 36 years of experience guiding boards, executives, and senior leaders in science‑ and technology‑driven organizations. A Wharton‑trained economist, Gaylene brings deep business insight, curiosity, and creativity to her work—helping leaders bridge today’s realities with their company’s future vision. As Founder and CEO of The Leadership Edge, she has built an award‑winning firm that has developed more than 8,000 board members and leaders across 1,000+ innovative organizations. Her work spans executive coaching, board effectiveness, organizational development, and the design of forward‑thinking learning strategies that accelerate performance and growth.

Most recently, Gaylene led the acquisition of 2Connect, uniting leadership and organizational development with world‑class communication and presentation expertise to create a uniquely comprehensive partnership for high‑growth, highly technical companies. A published author, sought‑after speaker, and recipient of numerous business and leadership awards—including multiple honors from the San Diego Business Journal—Gaylene is known not only for her strategic clarity and insight, but also for her energy, humor, and ability to make complex challenges both engaging and actionable.

Diane West

Diane West is a strategist, innovator, and problem‑solver who thrives on turning complex business challenges into practical, forward‑thinking solutions. As Chief Innovation Officer, she focuses on understanding what clients need today—and anticipating what they’ll need next—bringing together strong business acumen with deep expertise in facilitation, coaching, and curriculum design to create offerings that deliver real impact.

Formerly President and Founder of 2Connect, Diane brings more than 25 years of experience leading a globally recognized consulting and training firm. She is the architect behind 2Connect’s flagship programs, including Present to Influence, Communicate with Purpose, and Meetings that Matter. While known for building scalable solutions, Diane still loves rolling up her sleeves to coach and train—where her energy, insight, and practical approach shine most.

A special thank you to The Leadership Edge, our monthly sponsor, for their valued partnership and support of the SDHR Forum and San Diego HR community.

Annual Sponsors:

Parking Information:

When traveling by car to the upcoming event, please make sure to park in our designated Event Parking Lot, which is located at the rear of Green Acre, Campus Point. This will ensure easy access to our venue

San Diego HR Forum upcoming events

Business Fluency for HR: From Insights to Influence (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)

Business Fluency for HR: From Insights to Influence

Meet Our Guest Speakers:

Gaylene Xanthopoulos