Breakout

Ken Wechsler

Vice President, Global Total Rewards, Akamai

Ken Wechsler is the VP, Global Total Rewards at Akamai Technologies, Inc. Ken is an experienced business leader and strategic advisor, providing trusted counsel to executive leadership and Boards of Directors, with extensive experience developing and implementing integrated total reward strategies to support and enable business performance and drive results.

At Akamai, Ken leads the Global Total Rewards Center of Excellence (COE), which includes Compensation, Benefits, Wellbeing and Recognition programs. The Total Rewards COE is accountable for driving the Total Rewards strategy through innovative Rewards program design, and ensuring successful program implementation across the enterprise, while providing alignment with corporate strategy and supporting business success. He’s also a member of the company’s ESG Expert Committee, supporting Akamai’s Environmental, Social and Governance efforts, including reducing our Environmental impact.

Ken received his bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College, with a dual major in both Economics and Mathematics. He has obtained his CCP® (Certified Compensation Professional) from WorldatWork and SPHR Certification from the Society of Human Resources Management. Ken’s been a course instructor for WorldatWork for over 25 years. Ken’s served for over a decade as a Board Member for the Corporate Directors Forum, supporting Board Governance.

He enjoys watching and playing sports (mostly baseball), attending concerts, mentoring young professionals, while staying close to his family, including his wife, young adult daughters, stepsons and pets. He and his wife are contributors to various charitable organizations including the Michael J Fox Foundation, Planned Parenthood, American Red Cross, the Search Dog Foundation and various Blood Banks. Ken’s been a blood and platelet donor for four decades, contributing well beyond the “Ten Gallon” Donor club level.

Why attend

Sessions

Panel discussion

Tuesday, April 28, 1:30PM - 2:15PM

Leading the AI-Enabled Enterprise: Putting People at the Center of Transformation

SHINE

As AI accelerates across every part of the business, people leaders are being asked to guide their organizations through profound change, while ensuring the human experience stays at the heart of every decision. This conversation reframes AI transformation through a people‑first lens: how to introduce new technologies in ways that strengthen trust, reduce uncertainty, and create conditions where employees feel informed, valued, and supported. Leaders will share how they are shaping ethical and transparent practices, preparing their workforces with the skills and clarity needed for responsible adoption, and designing cultures where human judgment, empathy, and inclusion remain essential as AI tools scale. Key Themes

Ethical and responsible AI governance grounded in transparency and lived values
Building trust and accountability as new technologies change work
Leading change in ways that reduce friction and support psychological safety
Recognizing people data and connection as the anchor of any AI strategy

Ken Wechsler