Marci Rossell
Expert Economic Forecaster, Former CNBC Chief Economist and Co-Host of SQUAWK BOX 

Marci Rossell is a world-renowned economist and financial expert known for her high-energy, insightful commentary on the intersection of economics, politics, culture, and the media. As the former Chief Economist for CNBC and co-host of Squawk Box, she became a must-watch source for financial news, making complex economic issues accessible and engaging. 

Marci delivers thought-provoking insights on the U.S. and global economy, market trends, investor behavior, and Washington’s impact on Wall Street. With a Ph.D. in Economics from SMU and experience spanning the Federal Reserve, Wall Street, and media, she brings a unique, real-world perspective that resonates long after she leaves the stage. 

Scott Cawood
Ed.D., CCP, GRP, CSCP, CBP
Chief Executive Officer, WorldatWork

Scott Cawood is the CEO of WorldatWork. Prior to joining WorldatWork, he was the Global Leader, Organizational Effectiveness, at W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., a global manufacturer with 10,000 employees. At Gore, he led the organizational efforts to achieve the enterprise strategy, including maximizing associate engagement and aligning the culture with critical business priorities.

Prior to Gore, he served as president of Synygy, a global compensation and sales software company, and in senior leadership positions at Revlon and the Great Place to Work Institute, which selects Fortune magazine's 100 Best Places to Work.

Cawood holds an Ed.D. in organization- and work-based learning from the Wharton School of Business and an M.S. in education from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his M.A. in labor and industrial relations and his B.A. in organizational communication, with a minor in education, from Michigan State University.

Monday Main Stage
Sponsored by STRETCHIT

Decoding the 2025 Economy: Pathways to Success

One of the most trusted voices in financial reporting, Marci Rossell, frames the key economic forces shaping 2025 and the transitioning labor market. From rapid policy shifts in Washington and global trade tensions to monetary policy changes and the transformative rise of AI, businesses are navigating a challenging landscape.

How will these economic shifts impact your organization and the broader workforce? With her signature clarity, Marci distills complex data into sharp insights for the near and long-term, equipping you with the knowledge to confidently navigate what’s ahead.

Kick off your Total Rewards '25 experience with an in-depth exploration of the trends shaping rewards—and what they mean for you.

Moderator

Cathy Peffen
CCP, GRP, CBP, CECP, CSCP
Owner/Principal, CMPConsulting

After nearly 40 years of HR experience, Cathy recently retired from Marriott Vacations Worldwide, after 25 years with the company. She continues to consult in the executive compensation realm for the company.

In her prior role as Senior Vice President, Global Rewards & HRIS, Cathy was responsible for developing the strategy and executing against it for Compensation, Benefits & HR Information Systems ensuring Compensation programs aligned with the long-term business strategy and the HR infrastructure supported the strategic growth goals of MVW.

Cathy had been with Marriott International, for over 13 years, with her last role being Vice President, Global Compensation. In this role, she led the compensation design for Marriott's Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/Africa operations, as well as MVCI, the vacation ownership business.

Prior to joining MVW/Marriott, Cathy was the Human Resources Manager for GE Financial Assurance. Her background also includes Labor Relations, Compensation, Benefits, Employment and Training in various financial services and insurance companies.

Cathy is an active speaker and trainer, as a guest lecturer on leadership at Rollins College and is on the faculty of WorldatWork teaching the Compensation Immersion Program, Sales Compensation (three courses), certification courses Business Acumen, Regulatory Environment of Compensation, and has conducted Labor Relations Leadership training. Most recently, Cathy served as the Chair of WorldatWork's Sales Compensation Expert Council and is past Chair of the Compensation Expert Council. 

Cathy holds a BS degree in Biology from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. She, and her husband, Mark, live in Orlando, Florida while their daughter, Michelle resides in Northern California.

Tuesday Main Stage

Empowered Journeys: The Transformative Power of Mentorship

What happens when rising talent meets the right guide at the right time? Growth. Breakthroughs. Lasting impact.

In celebration of our 70th anniversary, this powerful session brings real stories of mentorship, challenge and transformation to the main stage. You’ll hear from three teams who faced high-stakes moments and emerged stronger through collaboration, courage and the support of one another. Each story showcases how an experienced leader mentored a rising professional on their team through a complex challenge, revealing the human side of Total Rewards and the incredible potential that unfolds when we invest in one another.

  • Salsify, Inc.: Faced with budget constraints and rising costs, this team learned how data storytelling, empathy and strategic thinking could move the business forward and unlock new leadership potential.
  • Corpay: Charged with building job architecture from scratch, this duo discovered how clarity, structure and confidence can elevate both a career path and a corporate culture.
  • St. Charles Health System: In the aftermath of the pandemic, these professionals reimagined Total Rewards to rebuild trust, engagement and stability—learning resilience, creativity and the power of partnership along the way.

Whether you're just starting out or leading from the top, these stories will leave you proud of your profession and energized to lead your own empowered journey.

Speakers

Lisa Barry, CCP
VP, Total Rewards and People Ops, Salsify

Lisa Barry is a seasoned HR leader with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing Total Rewards and People Operations functions in rapidly growing organizations. She currently serves as VP, Total Rewards and HR Operations at Salsify, where she has been instrumental in supporting the company's expansion from 300 to 800 employees across North America, Europe, and APAC. Her expertise spans building world-class Total Rewards and People Operations functions from the ground up, including implementing pay transparency, scaling operations across multiple regions, and leading HR integrations during mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Salsify, Lisa held senior leadership roles at VMware Carbon Black and Cimpress, where she successfully scaled HR organizations and navigated complex IPO and acquisition processes. She is an alumna of Boston College, with a concentration in Organizational Behavior Studies. Her deep understanding of compensation, benefits, and HR operations makes her a valuable voice on global talent strategy and organizational growth.

Daniel Reardon
Senior Manager, Total Rewards, Salsify

Dan Reardon brings significant expertise in compensation, sales plan design, and benefits strategy to his role as Senior Manager, Total Rewards at Salsify. Over five years at the company, he has led several major projects, including implementing Salsify’s first global job architecture framework, overhauling its annual commission design program, and spearheading the cost-saving transition of U.S. benefits from a fully-funded arrangement to a self-funded model. Previously, at VMware Carbon Black, Dan held progressively senior compensation roles, building a strong foundation in compensation strategy and business alignment. He holds an MBA from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business with a focus on Strategy, Leadership, and Organizational Transformation, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Connecticut College. Recognized as a strategic partner and problem-solver, Dan excels at navigating complex business challenges and driving executive alignment. His blend of analytical expertise, global experience, and strategic insight makes him a key asset in shaping high-impact Total Rewards programs.

Ilissa May
Director of Global Compensation, Corpay

Ilissa is the Director of Global Compensation at Corpay, where she leads broad-based pay strategy, advises on sales compensation, and supports total rewards, executive pay, and equity programs. With nearly 15 years in HR, she has worked across all HR functions but discovered her true passion for compensation—especially the fast-paced year-end review cycle—after project managing the process for eight years before officially transitioning into a compensation role.

Ilissa holds an SPHR certification and is currently pursuing her CCP and GRP. Beyond her expertise in HR and compensation, she has a strong background in project and change management, helping organizations navigate complex transformations with a strategic and execution-focused mindset. A lifelong learner and creative problem solver, she enjoys sharing insights and making compensation more approachable for everyone.

Outside of work, Ilissa is launching a podcast exploring personal stories of human connection, blending her love for storytelling with meaningful conversations.

Mary McCorvey
Co-Active Coach | Chief People Officer | HR Executive | Global Talent Specialist, Corpay

Mary McCorvey is an influential HR executive with over 18 years of leadership experience, specializing in strategic people solutions that drive business success. As the Chief People Officer at Corpay, she has served as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders across North America, Latin America, Europe, and the UK, guiding HR strategies that fuel organizational growth.

 

Mary’s expertise spans mergers and acquisitions, organizational design, talent management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). She has led large-scale HR transformations, implemented innovative workforce strategies, and developed high-performing teams. Her ability to align HR initiatives with business objectives has been instrumental in optimizing engagement, retention, and leadership development.

A certified Co-Active Coach, Mary brings a unique approach to leadership development, empowering executives and teams to maximize their potential through intentional coaching and strategic talent management. With a track record of successfully integrating HR systems and navigating complex change management initiatives, she is passionate about creating people-first strategies that enhance culture and performance.

Mary holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is known for her business acumen, strategic leadership, and commitment to building inclusive workplaces. She is a sought-after speaker on topics including HR transformation, talent strategy, and executive leadership, offering a global perspective and a data-driven approach to reimagining the future of work.

Morgan Prin, CCP
Compensation Manager, St. Charles Health System

Morgan Prin, MBA, SHRM-CP, CCP is the Compensation Manager at St. Charles Health System. The largest employer in Central Oregon, St. Charles is a 5,000+ employee regional health system comprised of 4 hospitals and dozens of clinics varying from primary to specialized care.

Since joining St. Charles in 2012, Morgan has held roles in talent acquisition and benefits, spending the last six years specializing in compensation. Morgan and her team are passionate about attracting, motivating, engaging, and retaining top talent through the development of data-driven Total Rewards strategies that align with the organization's mission, vision, and values.

Hillary Forrest
Senior Director of Human Resources, St. Charles Health System

Hillary Forrest is an experienced Human Resources professional, currently serving as the Senior Director of Human Resources for St. Charles Health System, a 5,000+ employee regional health system based in Central Oregon comprised of 4 hospital and dozens of clinics vary from primary to specialized care.

In her current role at St. Charles Health System, Hillary is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s HR functions, including employee and labor relations, talent acquisition, Human Resources Information Systems, leave and benefits as well as compensation.

Hillary earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University and her Master's degree in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University. Outside of work Hillary enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys in the beautiful outdoors on Central Oregon.

Duncan Wardle
Former Vice President of Innovation & Creativity at The Walt Disney Company

As Head of Innovation & Creativity at Disney, Duncan helped teams at Disney Parks, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, Imagineering and Animation to innovate, creating magical new storylines and amazing experiences for consumers around the globe. 

He now brings his Disney experience to audiences around the world, delivering a series of keynotes, masterclasses and ideation forums, that help people capture unlikely connections, leading to both disruptive thinking and revolutionary ideas. 

He is a multiple TEDx speaker and frequent contributor to Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes, and he teaches Innovation and Creativity Masterclasses at Yale and Harvard Universities. Duncan holds the American Citizen Award presented at the White House, an Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh University, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, presented by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. 

Wednesday Main Stage

Reimagining Potential: Propelling the Power of Creativity

Creativity is a core human skill that remains vital in the age of AI—yet many adults believe they aren’t the “creative type.” Over time, education and corporate structures condition us to seek the “right answer,” stifling our creative potential. 

But creativity never disappears—it lies dormant, waiting to be revived. In this keynote, Duncan shares insights from 30 years at Disney and work with Fortune 500 companies to reignite creative thinking. Attendees will gain practical tools to unlock innovation, challenge industry norms, and drive transformative results.

Key Takeaways:

  • Innovate by challenging industry rules.  

  • Foster a sustainable culture of creativity.  

  • Equip employees with tools to think creatively.