As the Head of Government Affairs for the world’s largest human resources trade association, Emily M. Dickens leads SHRM’s advocacy and policy initiatives. Dickens has been a featured expert on workplace issues and business leadership. In addition, Dickens has testified before Congress and the EEOC on worker and workplace topics like AI, gender bias, and paid leave.

Dickens serves on the boards of the following industry organizations to maximize SHRM’s impact and voice in global, national, and local business and labor policy debates: B20 Brazil Women in Business Action Council (Co-Chair); USCIB-United States Council for International Business (Governance Committee); The Bryce Harlow Foundation; Skill-up, and the National Foundation for Women Legislators. 

Before SHRM, Dickens served as a passionate advocate for access to higher education as the general counsel/head of policy for the DC-based Thurgood Marshall College Fund; Vice President of Public Policy for the Association of Governing Boards for Colleges and Universities; and the Assistant Vice President for Federal Affairs at the University of North Carolina System. She has also worked at Duke University and Fayetteville State University in administrative and external affairs roles.

Actively engaged in board service, Dickens is a member of the North Carolina Central University Board of Trustees and the NCNW Board of Directors (Co-Chair Personnel Committee).

Emily is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Achal Khanna is the CEO of SHRM in India, Asia Pacific & MENA region. SHRM is the world’s largest professional association devoted to human resource & people management. With 340,000+ members in 183 countries, it is the world’s largest HR professional association, impacting the lives of 362 million workers every day.

Achal is responsible for building SHRM APAC & MENA brand, expanding its business, and developing professional relationships with government agencies as well as other HR and business associations.

Dedicated to promoting women’s empowerment, improving work culture, and nurturing leadership development, she works closely with individuals and organizations to advocate for inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive and contribute meaningfully. Recognized with the prestigious “Best Women Executive in India” award, she continuously strives to push boundaries and overcome challenges.

With over three decades of proven leadership, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complex business landscapes with clarity and finesse. As Managing Director of Kelly India Operations, she led high-impact strategic initiatives with precision and purpose. During her tenure as Vice President at GE, she championed business growth and innovation through transformative strategies. As Country Manager at Polaroid India, she spearheaded market expansion, reinforcing the brand’s presence in a competitive landscape. Her earlier roles at DuPont, ITC, and the Cosmo Group have further enriched her perspective, providing her with deep, cross-industry insights that continue to shape her holistic and future-focused leadership style.

She is a member of SHRM’s global executive team and also serves as an independent director on the boards of select public and private companies in India.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s in English Literature, along with an MBA from New Delhi. Additionally, she has completed the Management Development Program (MDP) at IIM Ahmedabad.

A dynamic and visionary leader with 20+ years of experience spanning Human Capital strategy, organizational transformation, and business excellence in both private and public sectors. Recognized for driving innovation, fostering cultural evolution, and positioning organizations for sustainable growth, with a consistent record of aligning talent and workforce strategies with overarching business and national objectives.

Founder and CEO of Tharwah Holding Company (Tadawul: 9606.SR), a Saudi firm dedicated to creating a positive and sustainable impact for people, organizations, and communities. What began as a one-person mission in 2012 has grown into a publicly listed company with a market valuation exceeding SAR 200 million, trusted by ministries, giga-projects, and industry leaders across the Kingdom.

His background combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a deep interest in the future of work. He is passionate about enabling transformation at scale, whether through workforce redesign, leadership development, or the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. He firmly believes that culture and leadership are as critical to success as strategy and execution. Internally, he is focused on building a more empowered and resilient organization where people lead with confidence and learning is continuous.

Outside of work, he is drawn to EVs, emerging tech, and meaningful conversations about the future.

A resolute leader with over 12 years of proven results using operational and leadership strengths to solve specific and complex challenges through planning and implementation of strategies, structures, programs, and processes to enhance organizational culture, engagement and change readiness in alignment with the company’s mission and values. Abdulrahman is extremely talented at developing transformational initiatives in all core HR functions, including building/re-staffing organizations, standardizing performance management practices, overhauling recruiting standards, and restructuring benefits programs.

In Abdulrahman’s current role, he spends his days developing the culture, structure, and capabilities that support the next stage of growth at the Institute of Public Administration. Abdulrahman has a proven track record of diverse experience in translating a deep understanding of the business into human capital plans that build employee engagement, strengthen leader capabilities, and optimize organizational effectiveness.

With a Master of Arts degree focused on Teaching International Languages and Adult Education from California State University, Abdulrahman truly believes in the importance of continuous education and individual growth. Skilled in HR Consulting, HR Transformation, Change Management, Organizational Effectiveness & Culture, and Building Centres of Excellence.