The HR Peer Forum is a collaborative space designed for HR professionals to connect, share experiences, and tackle real-world challenges. Through educational sessions, open dialogue and peer-driven discussions, participants will gain diverse perspectives, uncover proven strategies, and walk away with actionable solutions they can immediately apply in their organizations.

Whether you’re in the midst of navigating complex employee issues, shaping workplace culture, staying up-to-date with employment law changes, or driving strategic initiatives, this forum provides the trusted network and practical insights needed to elevate your impact and lead with confidence.

How the Forum Works

The 2026 HR Peer Forum will meet twice in the second half of 2026. The first meeting, will be offered as a hybrid with the in-person option being at the VBA Office in Glen Allen, VA the afternoon before the 2026 HR Legal Insights Summit. The second meeting will be held in Arnold, MD at Anne Arundel Community College with an in-person option only.

The agenda for each session will flow based on feedback from participants in the forum group and will include at least one educational session that will be approved for SHRM credits.

September 14 HR Peer Forum – The Impact (& Future Opportunities) of AI in HR

Rarely can a day go by without seeing, reading, or hearing a story about AI and its workplace implications. The impact to HR practices covers the entire employment life cycle from talent acquisition through retirement and so much in between. Join this interactive program as we review:

• Projections about AI’s economic impact
• Speculation about AI’s impact to recruitment, hiring, and retention
• Recent cases involving unlawful discrimination, harassment, intellectual property, regulatory non-compliance, and more
• State trends and legislative responses
• Federal agencies’ AI frameworks for workforce-related contexts
• Proactive tips for policy and practice

HR Peer Forum Facilitator

Christine V. Walters, J.D., MAS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
FiveL Company

A unique perspective and rare combination of more than 25 years’ practical experience in management, human resources administration, employment law practice and teaching.

Ms. Walters has been engaged as an expert witness for the defense, presented at conferences across the country, testified before U.S. Congressional and state legislative committees and federal administrative agencies. Ms. Walters has been interviewed and quoted in a variety of media including television, radio and print media. Her first book, “From Hello to Goodbye: Proactive Tips for Maintaining Positive Employee Relations” has been a SHRMStore “Great 8” best-seller for eight consecutive years!

Ms. Walters also currently serves as an Advisory Board member to VirgilHR. Throughout her career, Ms. Walters has been honored with awards and accolades including:

• Nominee – Daily Record’s “Leadership in Law” Award, 2012
• Nominee – Small Business of the Year Award – Maryland Chamber of Commerce, 2011
• Small Business of the Year Award – B/W Corridor Chamber of Commerce, 2010
• Nominee – Daily Record’s “Leadership in Law” Award, 2009
• Finalist – Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award, 2009
• President’s Award – B/W Corridor Chamber of Commerce, 2003
• Capitol Award – Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2002
• Outstanding Leadership Award – American Society for Healthcare Human Resource Administration (ASHHRA), 1997
• Best Practices Award – ASHHRA, 1996

After working nearly ten years in human resources administration, Ms. Walters started FiveL Company in 1998 as a part-time practice while working full-time at the Johns Hopkins University as Program Director and Interim Department Chair. She discontinued FiveL Company when she joined the law firm of Saul Ewing LLP in 2000 and restarted the practice when she ventured out on her own to provide full-time human resources and employment law consulting in September 2002.

Ms. Walters also served as an adjunct faculty member of the Johns Hopkins University from 1999 to 2006, teaching graduate, undergraduate and certification level courses.

Ms. Walters has demonstrated her commitment to supporting and advancing the needs and interests of the business community, HR profession, and HR professionals by serving in a number of volunteer leadership roles at the national, state and local levels.

Ms. Walters is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland.

What are the Benefits?

• Enhance your impact as an HR professional with practical, peer-driven insights.
• Stay ahead of HR trends through real-time discussions on emerging banking challenges.
• Gain recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies.
• Keep up with employment laws and understand their impact on policy, risk, and decisions.
• Strengthen your role as a strategic partner aligned to business goals.
• Earn SHRM credits.
• Build a cross-state network of HR peers in banking.

What’s Included in the Registration

• Sept 14: HR Peer Forum Meeting* (includes lunch and offers both in-person and virtual attendance options) Glen Allen, VA
• Sept 15: HR Legal Insights Summit* (in-person and virtual attendance options available) Glen Allen, VA
• Nov 19: HR Peer Forum Meeting* (includes lunch; in-person only) Arnold, MD
• HR Peer Forum email list for on-going open discussion of questions, successes or challenges between meetings

*Eligible for SHRM credits. 

HR Peer Forum Registration

MBA/VBA/DCBA Member	Non-Member
$499	$998

Register Now!

MBA/VBA EVENT POLICIES

By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the MBA/VBA Event Policies and the Privacy Policy.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All cancellations will be charged a $25.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received after August 12, 2026 will be charged a $75.00 administrative fee plus any additional fees associated with the training. Substitutions are allowed prior to the beginning of course.

SPECIAL NEEDS & Americans with Disabilities Notice

Please share any specific needs that should be considered as we plan for the conference (i.e. hearing impaired, sight impaired, etc). Please contact Michele Dunn with any details.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring the HR Peer Forum? Contact Amy Binns.