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HI, I'M JAMES.

James S. Heffner, Jr., Ed.D. Is a culture transformation and strategic learning leader who builds high-performance organizations through people-first practices, psychological safety, and leader-led development. At Post University, he serves as the Director of Culture, Organizational Development, and Learning, where he leads a team in advancing enterprise-wide culture initiatives for over 2,000 associates and 20,000 students. Dr. Heffner launched the university's digital learning experience platform, designed leadership development and mentorship programs, and authored leadership and career pathways that increased internal promotions, strengthened associate engagement, and reduced turnover. Dr. Heffner leverages his strengths (Relator | Significance | Strategic | Self-Assurance | Command) to pair analytical rigor with an amiable, high-versatility style to help leaders and teams do their best work.

 

A seasoned educator, Dr. Heffner teaches for the Malcom Baldrige School of Business and the School of Arts and Sciences in the leadership, management, human resource management, and communication & media studies departments. He designs interactive, tech-enabled learning experiences for traditional and non-traditional students in online, blended, and on-ground classroom settings.

 

Dr. Heffner earned his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University, where his dissertation, True North Leadership: Fostering Authentic Psychological Safety in Remote & Hybrid Teams, explored trust and candor in modern work. Beyond the campus, Dr. Heffner serves as an active volunteer for the Sigma Chi Fraternity in a variety of roles related to leadership development programming on the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute's Board of Directors, and through the Sigma Chi Fraternity's governance structure on the international Board of Directors.

Shop Talk with Top Workplaces: From Insights to Impact

Tuesday, April 7, 1:30 PM

Recognition as a Top Workplace is more than a badge—it reflects employee voices and offers a roadmap for organizational growth. This interactive panel will walk through how Top Workplaces are determined, how to interpret survey results, and practical ways to leverage recognition internally and externally. Panelists from both HR and marketing perspectives will share real-world examples of using Top Workplace insights to strengthen culture, engage employees, and enhance employer branding.

 

Panelists

● Spencer Douglas, Chief Marketing Officer, BZI Group  

     ○ Perspective: Marketing & employer branding—how to leverage Top Workplace recognition externally to attract talent and build reputation.

● James Heffner, Director of Culture, Organizational Development, and Learning, Post University

     ○ Perspective: HR & culture—how to interpret survey results, translate feedback into action, and strengthen employee engagement internally.

 

Key Takeaways

1. Understand the research-based methodology behind Top Workplaces recognition.

2. Learn how to interpret survey data to uncover opportunities and celebrate strengths.

3. Discover HR strategies to use results for culture-building, engagement, and continuous improvement.

4. Explore marketing approaches to amplify Top Workplace status externally for talent attraction and employer brand enhancement.

5. Connect internal culture with external reputation to create alignment and long-term organizational impact. 

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USA TODAY Top Workplaces 2026 Conference Policy

​​All cancellation request must be submitted in writing via email to justin.libak@usatoday.com.

 

Confirmed registrants may cancel and receive a full refund minus a $150 cancellation fee for general attendees through February 27, 2026. Cancellation request received from February 28, 2026 through March 20, 2026 are nonrefundable but can be transferred to another member within your organization. Cancellations on or after March 21, 2026 are nonrefundable and transfers are not permitted.    

 

Attendees who do not attend the event and/or do not contact USA TODAY Co. via written correspondence by the dates above will be responsible for the full attendee registration fee. If the conference is cancelled, USA TODAY Co. is not responsible for any penalty incurred by purchasing a nonrefundable airline ticket or related costs.  


Notice of Filming statement: 

By entering this event and by your presence here, you consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with USA TODAY Top Workplaces 2026 Conference.  You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you by entering this area. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter this area. Holder releases and waives each of  USA TODAY Co., Inc. the facility, vendors and participants, and their respective affiliates and representatives from any and all loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by Holder or damage to any of his/her property, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES, or otherwise, while attending and/or participating in the Event, or while in, on or upon the premises where the Event is being conducted. HOLDER VOLUNTARILY ASSUMES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RISKS OF LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, that may be sustained by Holder, or any loss or damage of property owned by Holder, as a result of participating in the Event, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE.

​

*Policy subject to change

 © 2025 USA TODAY, a division of USA TODAY Co., Inc., LLC

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