breakout

John Nelson

Director of People & Culture, Adams County Government

John Nelsen is a visionary HR leader dedicated to creating inclusive, people-centric workplaces that foster innovation and enhance employee experiences. With two decades of HR expertise, he has earned a reputation for transforming organizational cultures to align with strategic goals.As Director of People & Culture at Adams County, Colorado, John leads bold initiatives to reimagine traditional HR. His human-centered, collaborative approach fosters authentic connection and sustainable change—even within the constraints of public-sector resources. His work proves that meaningful transformation doesn’t require a massive budget, just a clear vision and the courage to act.John’s expertise includes culture-building, leadership development, DEI strategy, and talent optimization. He holds an MPA from the University of North Texas and is certified as both a PHR and SHRM-CP. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, John draws inspiration from his wife and five children. He recharges through reading mystery novels, playing blues guitar, working on DIY home projects, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs.

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Sessions

Lunch and learn

Tue, May 13, 12:15 pm -12:45 pm MT

Elevating the Employee Experience: Humans, Not Resources

What would it take for you to be your best—and for work to truly support that version of you? Traditional HR practices were never built to help people thrive as whole, self-actualized humans.

In this session, John Nelsen, Director of People & Culture Services at Adams County, Colorado, Government will unpack how HR’s historical focus on process and compliance has failed to keep pace with the needs of today’s workforce. Blending insights from history, engagement data, and lived experiences, he’ll explore what it means to lead with humanity—and how you can spark meaningful, people-centered change in your organization.

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Employee Engagement & Experience | Leadership & Talent Management | Workplace Culture & Innovation

John Nelson

Not your average HR conference

World-class speakers boldly tackling today’s most urgent topics. Personalized content thoughtfully-curated to your role and goals. Next-level networking experiences that connect leaders from all over the world.

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