Day One | November 5, 2025
7:00 am Conference Registration & Networking
Building Engagement Strategies to Retain Talent During Difficult Times
7:50 am Chair’s Welcome, Opening Remarks & Connection Before Content
8:00 am Discover: Optimizing Rewards in a Challenging Environment
Synopsis
In today’s challenging life sciences market, organizations must navigate complex pressures to attract and retain top talent. This session will explore current market trends as well as what employees truly value in their rewards packages. We’ll discuss how companies can strategically manage compensation and other innovative approaches to total rewards. Join us to gain practical ideas for utilizing cash, equity, and other levers to create a compelling rewards strategy that can weather the ups and downs of a rapidly changing labor market
8:20 am Discover: Navigating Crisis and Maintaining Engagement in Biopharma
Synopsis
- How can biopharma companies maintain employee engagement through disappointing news
- Learn how T-knife GmbH successfully navigated two major crises by preparing in advance, maintaining transparent communication, and creating a supportive environment.
- Discover the blueprint for crisis management that led to high retention rates and a committed workforce
- Understand the importance of investing in culture and the different needs of your employees
8:40 am Develop: Crisis Management in Biopharma
Synopsis
This interactive Q&A session delves into the intricacies of managing crises within the biopharma industry. Building on the insights from the Discover session, this is your chance to explore the strategies and tactics that can help maintain employee engagement during challenging times. Learn from industry leaders who have successfully navigated crises and discover the best practices for transparent communication and creating a supportive environment.
Themes to Explore:
- Preparing for potential crises in advance
- Maintaining transparent communication during difficult times
- Creating a supportive environment for employees
- Strategies for high retention rates and a committed workforce
9:00 am Action: Implementing Crisis Management Strategies
Synopsis
This roundtable discussion is your opportunity to reflect, share, and strategize on implementing crisis management strategies within your organization. Building on the insights from the Develop session, you’ll collaborate with peers to explore how your organization can prepare for and navigate crises while maintaining employee engagement and retention.
Discussion Prompts:
- What proactive measures can your organization take to prepare for potential crises?
- How can transparent communication be maintained during challenging times?
- What strategies can be implemented to create a supportive environment for employees?
- How can your organization ensure high retention rates and a committed workforce during and after crises?
Takeaway: Leave with actionable strategies and a clearer understanding of how to implement effective crisis management within your organization. Gain insights from peers facing similar challenges and develop a blueprint for maintaining employee engagement and retention during difficult times.
9:20 am Panel: Building Engagement & Retaining Talent in Difficult Times
Synopsis
HR leaders in pre-commercial biopharma must prioritize employee engagement and retention during difficult times to maintain productivity, preserve institutional knowledge, and sustain momentum in critical R&D efforts. High turnover or disengagement can delay drug development, disrupt team cohesion, and increase costs; risks that are especially damaging in resource-constrained, high-stakes environments.
10:00 am Speed Networking
10:40 am Discover: Rebuilding Culture After a Failed Clinical Trial: A Case Study from Fulcrum Therapeutics
Synopsis
- How can organizations navigate employee exits and rebuild morale after a major clinical setback?
- Facilitate transparent communication, implement intentional cultural shifts, and reconnect employees to the company’s mission
- By leading with empathy and over-communication, Fulcrum Therapeutics fostered resilience and unity, highlighted by initiatives like company-wide change management sessions, weekly ‘Bagel Burst’ meetings, and team-building events, resulting in a significantly more engaged and aligned workforce within months
11:00 am Discover: Building and Keeping Culture to Thrive through Uncertainty & Transformation
Synopsis
- How can organizations preserve and strengthen company culture during and after times of disruption, such as a reduction in force?
- Focus on connection, transparent communication, emotional intelligence, and cross-functional learning
- How Amylyx Pharmaceuticals maintained employee engagement through regular all-company meetings, professional development programs, and internal business training—plus what’s next on their cultural journey
11:20 am Develop: Rebuilding and Strengthening Culture in Times of Adversity
Synopsis
This interactive Q&A session delves into the strategies and practices that organizations can adopt to rebuild and strengthen their culture after facing significant challenges. Drawing from real-world examples, this session will explore how companies like Fulcrum Therapeutics, CONTINUUS Pharmaceuticals, and Amylyx Pharmaceuticals have navigated tough times and emerged stronger.
- Navigating employee exits and rebuilding morale after major setbacks
- Implementing intentional cultural shifts and reconnecting employees to the company’s mission
- Fostering resilience and unity through empathy and over-communication
- Leveraging creative and fun solutions to boost morale and retention
- Preserving and strengthening company culture during times of disruption
11:40 am Action: Implementing Resilient Cultural Strategies
Synopsis
This roundtable discussion offers a collaborative space for participants to reflect, share, and strategize on implementing resilient cultural strategies within their organizations. Building on the insights from the Develop session, attendees will explore practical ways to operationalize these strategies and foster a resilient and engaged workforce.
- What cultural elements are non-negotiable in your organization?
- How do you codify and communicate culture during challenging times?
- What tools or rituals help reinforce culture and boost morale?
- How do you measure the impact of cultural initiatives on employee engagement and retention?
12:00 pm Innovation:Rethinking Talent: Fractional Solutions for Biopharma Teams
Synopsis
- Discover how emerging biopharma companies are accelerating growth and innovation by leveraging fractional expertise.
- Learn actionable strategies for integrating fractional leaders to build internal capabilities, drive strategic initiatives, and optimize costs without sacrificing quality.
- Explore real-world use cases and success stories illustrating the impact of fractional talent on team performance and organizational resilience.
- Find out how Slone Partners’ fractional talent network can help your organization access top-tier expertise, scale rapidly, and stay competitive in a dynamic market.
12:10 pm Networking Lunch
Leading Through Change & Uncertainty
1:10 pm Discover: Leading Through Change at Dyne Therapeutics – From Clinical to Commercialization
Synopsis
- How can organizations sustain engagement and retention during leadership transitions and market uncertainty?
- Holding leaders accountable in shaping engagement strategies, communicate a clear company vision, and return to the fundamentals of employee connection
- Engagement, transparency and visibility, Lucia Celona and Kate Mitchell shared offer key insights for HR leaders navigating biotech transformation
1:30 pm Discover: Navigating Workforce Challenges: Strategies for Building Resilience & Engagement During Tough Times
Synopsis
- How can we implement effective post-reduction engagement strategies?
- Foster a collaborative and fun work culture to boost morale
- How CONTINUUS Pharmaceuticals are leveraging creative and fun solutions like Nerf gun battles and homemade company swag resulting in 100% retention during this incredible difficult time
1:50 pm Develop: Leading Through Change: Sustaining Engagement & Retention
Synopsis
This interactive Q&A session delves into the strategies for maintaining employee engagement and retention during leadership transitions and market uncertainties. Building on insights from Lucia Celona and Kate Mitchell, this session will explore how organizations can hold leaders accountable for shaping engagement strategies, communicating a clear company vision, and returning to the fundamentals of employee connection.
Themes to Explore:
- Strategies for sustaining engagement during leadership transitions
- Holding leaders accountable for engagement strategies
- Communicating a clear company vision
- Fundamentals of employee connection
2:10 pm Action: From Insights to Action: Navigating Biotech Transformation
Synopsis
This roundtable discussion is designed to help HR leaders reflect, share, and strategize on how to implement the insights shared by Lucia Celona and Kate Mitchell. Participants will collaborate to explore how their organizations can enhance engagement, transparency, and visibility during times of change.
Discussion Prompts:
- How can organizations enhance engagement during market uncertainties?
- What strategies can be used to improve transparency and visibility?
- How can leaders be held accountable for shaping engagement strategies?
- What are the fundamentals of employee connection that should be prioritized?
Participants will leave with actionable strategies and frameworks to enhance engagement, transparency, and visibility in their organizations, especially during times of change.
2:30 pm Networking Break
Fostering Well-being & Engagement in Biotech
2:50 pm Discover: Designing Holistic Benefits for a Multigenerational Workforce
Synopsis
- How can HR leaders create benefits programs that meet the diverse needs of Gen Z, Gen X, and beyond?
- Focus on balancing preventative care, mental health, and long-term wellness within realistic financial constraints
- How one company is evolving its health and wellness offerings, including lifestyle spending accounts and holistic plan reviews, to support a changing workforce while navigating trade-offs and maintaining equity
3:10 pm Discover: Unlocking the Power of Well-being and Engagement: Transformative Strategies for a Thriving Workplace
Synopsis
- What steps can organizations take to deepen their understanding of mental health and cultivate a workplace culture, and programs, that truly meet employees where they are?
- Explore innovative approaches for advancing mental health awareness and discover how comprehensive total rewards programs can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of every generation in your workforce.
- Learn how these initiatives can elevate employee well-being and engagement and strengthen organizational health, as well as actionable strategies to seamlessly integrate them within your own workplace.
3:30 pm Develop: Crafting Comprehensive Benefits for a Diverse Workforce
Synopsis
This interactive Q&A session delves into the intricacies of designing benefits programs that cater to the diverse needs of a multigenerational workforce. Building on the insights from the Discover session, participants will explore practical strategies for balancing preventative care, mental health, and long-term wellness within realistic financial constraints. Learn from industry leaders who are evolving their health and wellness offerings to support a changing workforce while maintaining equity.
Themes to Explore:
- Tailoring benefits to meet the needs of Gen Z, Gen X, and beyond
- Balancing preventative care, mental health, and long-term wellness
- Navigating trade-offs and maintaining equity in benefits programs
- Case studies of companies successfully evolving their health and wellness offerings
3:50 pm Action: Implementing Holistic Well-Being Programs
Synopsis
This roundtable discussion provides a platform for participants to reflect, share, and strategize on implementing holistic well-being programs in their organizations. Building on the insights from the Discover and Develop sessions, participants will collaborate to explore how to broaden awareness regarding mental health and create a multi-generational total rewards platform.
Discussion Prompts:
- What initiatives can enhance mental health awareness in your organization?
- How can you develop a comprehensive total rewards system that caters to diverse generational needs?
- What are the positive impacts of these initiatives on employee well-being and engagement?
- How can these initiatives be implemented in your organization?
Takeaway: Leave with actionable strategies and ideas for implementing holistic well-being programs in your organization. Gain insights from peers facing similar challenges and learn how to create a supportive and engaging work environment for a multigenerational workforce.