Ceipal

Holly Hunt opens Ceipal Connect 2026 with a warm welcome to attendees before handing the floor to Sameer Penakalapati, Founder and CEO of Ceipal. Sameer will set the stage for the day, sharing his perspective on the industry's direction, what that means for navigating firms and teams, and why today's conversations matter more than ever.

Speakers:
- Holly Hunt, Director of Content, Ceipal
- Sameer Penkalapati, CEO & Founder, Ceipal

The staffing and recruiting industry is facing more simultaneous forces of change than at any point in its history. AI, shifting workforce expectations, economic uncertainty, and evolving client demands are all colliding at once. For leaders, the temptation is to wait and react. But the organizations that will thrive are the ones whose leaders actively shape their future rather than let it happen to them.

In this keynote, Matt Alder introduces his Futurecasting framework, a structured, practical method for cutting through hype and making sense of what comes next. Drawing on lessons from previous industry inflection points, from the internet’s disruption of recruitment to the rise of social media and mobile, Matt will show how leaders can separate real trends from noise and build scenarios that account for genuine uncertainty rather than defaulting to prediction or paralysis.

Attendees will walk away with a repeatable method for anticipating change, a clearer picture of the macro forces reshaping staffing and talent acquisition, and a framework robust enough to win buy-in at the highest levels of their organization.

Speaker: Matt Alder, Host, Recruiting Future podcast

Facing an unprecedented hiring crisis, healthcare staffing is rapidly evolving toward tech-driven models that prioritize speed, scale, and resilience. This session explores how staffing leaders are leveraging platforms, AI, and technology to modernize operations and meet growing demand.

Speakers:
- Erick LaGroux, Founder of NextGen & CEO of Vitality Solutions LLC
- Raman Chawda, Director of Recruitment Operations & Client Success, Bestica
- Katherine Emerson, Talent Development Manager, Ardor Health Solutions

Moderator: Scot Goldfarb, Solutions Principal, Ceipal

From workforce dynamics to technology and regulation, the healthcare staffing industry is entering a pivotal new phase. Join industry experts as they share bold predictions and practical insights on what’s next – and how firms can prepare to stay competitive.

Speakers:
- Steve Curtin, President, Vidle Housing
- Karolina Willis, CEO, Intercare Recruitment
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Moderator: Beth Fenske, Owner, Expert Consultant, NexaCare Consulting

AI is no longer just a recruiting tool—it’s a strategic advantage for staffing and recruiting teams navigating constant change. In this keynote session, Ceipal CTO Amar Chadipirala will share how the Ceipal platform is evolving with AI to power smarter decisions, connected workflows, and scalable growth. Explore how forward-thinking teams are leveraging AI-driven technology to build more agile, data-driven, and human-centered talent strategies in 2026 and beyond.

Speaker: Amar Chadipirala, Chief Technology Officer, Ceipal

AI and automation are reshaping the labor market faster than anyone anticipated — and no one agrees on what it means. Are these technologies creating jobs or eliminating them? The honest answer is: it depends on what happens next.

In this closing keynote, Hank Levine, Chairman of Be Additive, walks through three possible futures — from disruption to opportunity to something in between — and what each one means for workers, employers, and staffing leaders. More importantly, he lays out a practical framework for staying ready no matter which scenario unfolds.

If you're trying to make sense of where technology is taking the workforce, this is the conversation to end on.

Speaker: Hank Levine, Founder & Chairman, Be Additive Tech

Holly Hunt closes out Ceipal Connect 2026 with a look back at the day's key themes and a look ahead at what's next. A moment to reflect, reconnect, and leave with something worth bringing back to your team.

Speaker: Holly Hunt, Director of Content, Ceipal