HRevolution Conference – 2nd edition – Arad, November 11 2025

HRevolution Conference, 2nd edition – November 11th 2025 – Arad, Hotel Ibis Styles

This is not “just another conference”, it’s an end-to-end experience which redefines HR conferences for us all.

On November 11th in Arad, Romania’s most nonconformist HR conference is back. This edition is built around a key theme: Innovation in HR.

Last year, we promised that HRevolution would not be a typical HR conference. And that’s exactly what happened. There was energy, there was emotion, there was authenticity. It was an event where people didn’t just sit passively in their seats—they lived an experience that transformed them from spectators into main actors.

Watch the aftermovie from the first (2024) edition and get ready for an even more impactful event:

Participants Testimonials

“Thank you for the initiative and the way it was carried out! For me, it was WOW!!!”

”Thank you so much for the exemplary and bold organization of the conference, from which we returned with truly ‘vibrant’ ideas. I’ll admit, we had a great time—you managed to offer us a unique experience. The speakers (kudos, Adela, for the energy of your presentation), the surprise moments, and the food… oh, the food!… really raised the bar.”

”I’ve attended 4 conferences this year, but this one is by far the best. I didn’t expect it to be this good! Are your trainings just as amazing?”

“Absolutely amazing! Out of the ordinary!”

Have you ever attended conferences where the presentations felt straight out of a textbook, the sponsors were busy advertising themselves, and the participants left tired and without any real value? We have—at (too) many—so we asked ourselves:

What if we created a conference where people weren’t just spectators, but the main characters?

And that’s how HRevolution was born.

An event designed as a living, authentic, and interactive experience:

• Challenging and timely topics that go beyond trends, exploring future scenarios.
• Top international and local speakers who know how to inspire — and have the substance to challenge with.
• Practical workshops, where you don’t just listen, you practice/apply.
• Real networking with HR professionals, business leaders, and passionate experts — no “silo-networking” vibe.
• Surprise moments that remind you HR is about people, emotion, and connection.

For 20 years, we at Ascent Group have been creating projects that transform organizations, people, and communities. We’ve worked with dozens of companies and thousands of professionals in Romania and globally.

In 2024, we launched the first edition of HRevolution with the goal of offering something different: authentic, bold, and focused on real issues. The result? A room full of energy and engaged people — and feedback that it was…

“…the most vibrant HR conference I’ve ever attended.”

”A different experience from typical business events.”

”Hats off.”

”An original event we can all draw inspiration from. Everything was interactive, the audience was engaged in the conference moments in a pleasant, effortless way. From an organizational standpoint, everything was generous.”

This year, we’re raising the bar even higher.

This year’s edition theme: Innovation in HR

Because HR, as we know it, has reached its limits.

• How can AI transform HR?
• Is HR still a field where innovation is possible?
• What are the key areas where HR needs to reinvent itself?
• How do we build innovative processes and authentic employee experiences?
• How can HR become more than administration—a space for creativity and real impact?
• What will the organizations of the future look like?

These are just some of the questions we aim to explore at this event, where participants will be engaged from start to finish in a story about innovation, courage, pushing boundaries, and learning.

This year’s edition features:

• 4 keynote speakers
• 2 interactive workshops
• 1 panel with 4 experts
• new surprises

Agenda

Keynote Speakers

In 2025, HRevolution Conference is bringing together world-class speakers — leading experts who are shaping the future of their fields.

We’re thrilled to give you a first glimpse at who will be on stage this year and the inspiring topics they’ll be sharing. Consider this your sneak peek into the energy, insights, and innovation that await at our event. Get ready to be challenged, inspired, and part of a truly transformative HR experience!

DR. ROBERT COLLINS: “Artificial Intelligence in HR”

Dr. Robert Collins has been teaching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the University of Oxford, UK, for over 25 years. He was one of the first voices helping people and organizations understand how these emerging technologies would impact individuals, teams, and organizational culture—preparing them for the tsunami of change that is already underway.

Inspired by the topic presented by Dr. Collins at the conference—“Artificial Intelligence in HR”—we naturally ask ourselves: Is AI purely a technology issue? Is it just an operational matter? The answer is NO! AI is fundamentally a human resources management challenge.

Artificial Intelligence will transform organizations, workplaces, and the way we work. Many high-quality jobs will disappear—replaced by “bots” and “agents.” To survive, organizations will need to reconfigure quickly if they want to navigate the AI tsunami successfully. Much of the organizational change required will need to be led by HR teams: reskilling, restructuring, adopting human-AI collaboration, and aligning core organizational capabilities in a world reshaped by the global digital revolution.

In this session, Dr. Collins will move beyond the hype surrounding these changes and help us answer some fundamental questions. Together, we’ll focus on what really matters:

🔍  Why AI is not just a tech issue—but a deeply human one
📉  How job structures are evolving and why HR teams must lead this transformation
🧭  The strategic, practical, and ethical mindset organizations need to weather this storm successfully
🛠  Practical tools to help align your organization and start adapting quickly

You can read more about Dr. Collins’ work on AI and organizational capability transformation on his blog:
👉 https://www.sent-ai-ance.com/blog

MARINELA AXINTE & LENA DERMENGIU: “From Challenges to Successes: Lessons from an Educational Journey”

Some stories are not only worth listening to, but also worth feeling. We are delighted to welcome Marinela Axinte, PhD student, teacher, and certified Romanian Sign Language interpreter, and Lena Dermengiu, president of the CODA Farmecul Tăcerii Foundation, journalist, and certified Romanian Sign Language interpreter.

Together, they bring a deeply human and moving perspective to the HRevolution Conference 2025 stage with their presentation: “From Challenges to Successes: Lessons from an Educational Journey”.

It is a talk about courage, inclusion, and meaningful education, about overcoming communication barriers and building authentic bridges between worlds that often do not hear each other enough.

In a conference dedicated to innovation and humanity in HR, their moment reminds us that true revolution begins with listening, beyond words.

DENISA CHELU: “HR Amplified: From Backstage to Headliner in Business Transformation”

With over 10 years of experience in human resources, Denisa Chelu is a professional who believes in people’s potential and in the power of teams to generate real transformation. She currently holds the position of Chief People Officer at PPC Romania, where she leads organizational and cultural development initiatives in contexts of change and complexity.

In her keynote speech, “HR Amplified: From Backstage to Headliner in Business Transformation“, Denisa will talk about how the HR function is redefining its role from operational support to strategic partner at the center of organizational transformation.

Together, we will explore what it means to have a bold, visible, and influential HR department that not only supports the business behind the scenes but also takes center stage as a true headliner of change.

RADU TOMOIAGĂ: „Decoding Potential: AI, Data and the New Era of Skills Assessment and Development”

Dr. Ing. Dpl. Radu Tomoiagă is one of those professionals who manage to unite two worlds, academia and industry, transforming them into a common space for learning, innovation, and growth.

In his role as Senior Learning Manager at Microsoft, Radu guides top organizations in strategic Cloud and Artificial Intelligence initiatives, helping to transform the way leaders and teams approach digital learning and skills development.

At the same time, as Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Timișoara, he trains the new generation of AI specialists, preparing young people for the challenges and opportunities of a world augmented by technology.

The theme he brings to the HRevolution Conference 2025, “Decoding Potential: AI, Data, and the New Era of Skills Assessment and Development”, explores how AI and data can become allies of human potential, not just technological tools.

We will discover how data can be used to identify, assess, and develop people’s skills, how leadership is changing in the AI era, and why real innovation in HR begins with a deeply human understanding of technology.

Panel: Tim Schuurman (DTA), Mihaela Popa (Hella), Octavia Sabou (Michelin) – TBA

TIM SCHUURMAN: „Can we innovate in HR?”

In a world where innovation is no longer optional, we need leaders who don’t just talk about transformation—they make it happen.

That’s why we’re extremely excited to welcome Tim Schuurman to the stage in Arad—co-founder of DesignThinkers Academy, one of the world’s leading organizations in human-centered design and strategic innovation.

With over 20 years of experience across 25+ countries, Tim brings valuable global insights on what makes an organization truly adaptable and human.

Holding an MBA and an MSc in Financial and Business Management, Tim combines business strategy with design thinking to help companies evolve—not just quickly, but meaningfully.

His keynote speech—“Can We Innovate in HR?” will kick off a critically important conversation in the world of human resources:

🔍  What does real innovation in HR actually mean?
💡  How do we move from policies to progress, from checklists to experiences?
🤝  How can HR become a true engine of impact — not just in processes, but in people’s lives?

If you’ve ever felt that HR could be more than compliance and bureaucracy, this session is for you.

Tim will share practical methods, field stories, and an action plan for HR innovation, grounded in empathy, experimentation, and authentic purpose.

MIHAELA POPA: „The journey from the Ivory Tower to the Fields”

With over 20 years of experience in human resources, Mihaela Popa is Head of HR at Hella Romania and a professional renowned for her passion for people and organizational culture. Throughout her career, Mihaela has coordinated complex teams and contributed to transforming work environments into organizations focused on learning, collaboration, and sustainable performance.

The theme of her presentation at the HRevolution Conference 2025, “The journey from the Ivory Tower to the Fields”, addresses a fundamental shift in how modern HR is perceived and practiced: the transition from an “ivory tower” approach, focused on policies and procedures, to HR that is directly connected to people and their realities in the field.

Mihaela will talk about the importance of building an authentic relationship between leadership and employees, the role of #EmployeeExperience in creating a healthy organizational culture, and how involving people in HR conversations generates real solutions and measurable impact.

OCTAVIA SABOU: “From onboarding to belonging—when leadership and HR choose to share responsibility.”

Octavia Sabou is a leader who brings with her a deeply human perspective on performance and organizational culture.

With solid experience in team coordination and workplace transformation, Octavia talks about one of the most important transitions in today’s organizational world:
“From onboarding to belonging—when leadership and HR choose to share responsibility.”

Her talk explores how the process of integrating people can become more than an administrative formality, an experience of connection, belonging, and co-creation.

Octavia will talk about how to build trust, how to cultivate authentic relationships in teams, and how leaders and HR professionals can work together to create spaces where people not only stay, but choose to get involved.

Because, beyond KPIs and procedures, retention increases when people feel they belong. Engagement increases when their voice matters. And long-term performance begins with listening, empathy, and real collaboration.

Workshops

At HRevolution Conference, we’re bringing a touch of magic to the learning experience. ✨

Our Workshop Wizards 🧙‍♂️ aren’t your average facilitators — they’re experts with the magic wand of deep know-how, creativity, and experience. Through their guidance, participants will explore new perspectives, unlock fresh ideas, and find practical solutions to challenges that may seem impossible today.

Get ready for hands-on sessions where inspiration meets transformation—because at HRevolution, learning is nothing short of magical.

HOWARD KRAIS: “Welcome to the Age of Listening”

Howard Krais is the author of “Leading the Listening Organisation” and one of the most passionate advocates for meaningful dialogue in the workplace. His session, “Welcome to the Era of Listening,” is set to be one of those rare moments that will stay with you long after the event ends.

While many organizations focus on being louder—through branding, marketing, and technology—very few stop to ask the real question:

Are we truly listening?

Howard invites us to pause and turn our attention to the voices that matter most: our people.

Backed by over five years of international research across more than 500 organizations and captured in his groundbreaking book “Leading the Listening Organisation,” Howard’s work redefines what it means to truly listenwithin an organization.

This session goes far beyond employee surveys and feedback forms. It challenges outdated approaches and shows you:

✅ Why listening is no longer a “nice to have,” but a strategic driver of innovation and trust
✅ How most listening efforts fail — and how to fix them
✅ What it really takes to create a listening culture that fuels performance, engagement, and adaptability

This isn’t just about feeling heard—it’s about applying practical frameworks that transform how your organization makes decisions, hires talent, and creates tangible impact.

CLAUDIU TĂNĂSESCU & CĂTĂLINA SCHVENINGER: „Let’s play with the Agent – Agentic AI în HR”

As AI evolves from a tool to a collaborative agent, Human Resources stands on the edge of transformation.
This interactive workshop explores how AI agents—autonomous, decision-making, and proactively supportive systems—are set to reshape the HR landscape, from talent acquisition to employee experience and strategic workforce planning.

Here’s what to expect:
✅ What is Agentic AI, and how is it changing the way we work?
✅ Key use cases in HR: from recruitment and onboarding to L&D and performance management
✅ Insights into how your role and your team’s responsibilities may evolve in an AI-driven world
✅ Tangible takeaways you can apply immediately
✅ Live demo: “Let’s play with the agent” – a hands-on exploration of how Agentic AI can be applied in HR

The workshop is co-led by two exceptional minds: Claudiu Tănăsescu and Cătălina Schveninger—an AI expert and a globally experienced HR leader.

Claudiu Tănăsescu is the CEO of both ByteCrew and Solid 3D, where he leads pioneering work at the intersection of Agentic AI, robotics, and autonomous systems.
With a strong background in software development and artificial intelligence, combined with two decades of business strategy expertise, Claudiu drives the development of AI-powered solutions designed to collaborate with and enhance human capabilities in the workplace. He is currently based in Amsterdam.

Cătălina Schveninger is a globally respected HR leader, currently based in London, who brings hands-on, real-world insights directly into the discussion.

If you’re ready to move beyond the AI headlines and experience real transformation, this workshop is for you.

Special Moments

At HRevolution, we promised to deliver a unique experience full of surprises — and we’re keeping our word. We’ll also explore territories rarely seen in business conferences, featuring special guests from the worlds of art, music, sports, and beyond.

HRevolution isn’t just about HR. It’s about energy, inspiration, and memorable experiences:

🎨 Food Experience → a live cooking show with Nissara: a sensory delight and the perfect setting for organic networking.
🎵 Music & Art → organizations need rhythm and creativity, too
✨ Surprises → yes, HR can also be fun!

The Music of HR with The Jammers

Because #HRevolution is not “just a conference,” but energy, connection, and authentic vibe, we will end the day with a truly special moment with The Jammers. They will help us turn the end of the conference into a moment of good energy and improvisation and remind us that learning and joy go perfectly together.

Last year, we ended the HRevolution Conference with a mini rock concert, and this year we will end with live HR Karaoke, in which you will be the protagonists. And not just any karaoke, but with carefully selected songs, with themes inspired by HR, and with the chance to sing them with a real band behind you.

That’s because we strongly believe that organizations should be music, joy, harmony, and that everyone in the organization should have the chance to feel like a rock star!

Why attend HRevolution?

Whether you’re an HR professional eager to stay ahead of the curve, a business leader looking to strengthen your organization’s talent strategy, or simply someone passionate about the future of work, HRevolution is the event for you.

We invite you to join us — to embrace the challenges we’ve prepared, and then, inspired by what you’ve learned, become a catalyst for sustainable transformation in your organization!

What will you gain by attending the conference?

✔ Practical insights you can apply immediately in your organization.
✔ Meaningful, long-lasting connections with HR and business professionals.
✔ Inspiration and renewed energy to reset your vision.
✔ A day filled with new ideas, resources, and valuable contacts.

Attendance options

Super early bird fee: 129 euro + VAT (until June 2)

Early bird fee: 149 euro + VAT (until July 1)

Regular fee: 199 euro + VAT (until October 17)

Late worm fee: 249 euro + VAT (until November 1)

Last year, we promised that HRevolution would be different. And it was.
This year, we’re committing to even more.
On November 11th, in Arad, we’ll be shaping the future of HR together.
Will you join us?

Register now!

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Event Sponsors

Event Partners

Pentru mai multe informații:

Cristina Balaciu

• [email protected]