Ranya Nehmeh

Dr. Ranya Nehmeh is a senior HR strategist with expertise in people strategy, HR policy, leadership development, and talent management. She has held key HR roles at the OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna and the European Central Bank in Frankfurt. Ranya also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication in Vienna where she teaches on HR and leadership in the modern workplace.

She is the author of The Chameleon Leader: Connecting with Millennials (2019) and co-author of the forthcoming book In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work (Wharton School Press, 2025).

Ranya holds a master’s in human resource management from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) and a Doctor of Business Administration from the Swiss Management Center in Zug.

Her recent articles, co-authored with Wharton professor Peter Cappelli, include “Hybrid Still Isn’t Working” (Harvard Business Review July/August 2025), “Sustainable Agility: How HR Can Survive the Rapid Pace of Change” (People + Strategy Journal, SHRM, July 2024), “It’s Time to Do Away with ‘Dry Promotions,’” (Harvard Business Review, July 2024) and “HR’s New Role” (Harvard Business Review, May/June 2024 magazine).

For more information, visit Ranya on www.ranyanehmeh.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Keynote

The Reinvention of HR: Leading in the Age of Uncertainty

In an era defined by relentless change, talent shortages, and organizational fatigue, HR must redefine its value proposition to meet the demands of modern business. In this keynote, Ranya explores HR’s evolving role as both a strategic business driver and a trusted employee advocate. Drawing on cutting-edge research and real-world experience, she unpacks how HR leaders can navigate the tension between constant transformation and human sustainability. From rebuilding internal talent markets to addressing workplace mental health, Ranya outlines a forward-thinking roadmap for HR to deliver value where it matters most, by shaping resilient, agile, and people-centered organizations.

Session

The Future of the Office: Why the Workplace Still Matters

As hybrid and remote models redefine how we work, many have written off the office as outdated or unnecessary. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong questions? In this insightful and interactive session, Ranya will draw on her latest book to explore the overlooked value of the office, not as a relic of the past, but as a powerful tool for shaping organizational culture, sparking innovation, and fostering human connection. Through fresh insights, surprising data, and facilitated discussion, she invites participants to rethink the role of the workplace and explore how offices can evolve to meet the emotional, social, and strategic needs of today’s workforce. Ideal for leaders, HR professionals, and workplace strategists seeking to navigate the complexities of hybrid work, employee engagement, and workplace identity.