HR Week moves to Latvia: Microsoft, F1 & global experts on stage

“Having just wrapped up in Lithuania, we’re heading straight to Latvia with HR Week. It will be two equally impressive days here: 1,200 participants, 70 speakers, and more than 30 exhibition zone partners. We truly hope that after the conference in Latvia, we’ll hear the same thing we did in Lithuania – that the event exceeded expectations,” shares Greta Riaubienė, Conference Program Manager at Delfi.

Among this year’s speakers will be former Microsoft Europe chairman and bestselling author of The Positive Leader, Jan Mühlfeit. The world is obsessed with fixing weaknesses as the only path to growth. Instead of striving to overcome our shortcomings and become something “correct,” we should focus elsewhere – on becoming who we truly are. In his engaging talk, Mühlfeit will reveal how to create a culture of growth, drawing on his Microsoft experience, where he exceeded expectations for four consecutive years.

Another keynote speaker at this year’s HR Week Latvia is Nicole Bearne – a communications specialist and organizational behavior expert with long-standing Formula 1 experience. Bearne spent more than 25 years in Formula 1, working extensively with British American Racing and Brawn Grand Prix teams. One of her final roles was as Head of Internal Communications at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, where she oversaw internal comms, employee experience, staff events, and CSR programs. As Head of Internal Communications at Mercedes-AMG F1, she shaped a unique team culture within a 1,300-person organization. Now she has founded The Comms Exchange Ltd, a consultancy helping organizations strengthen internal communications, employee engagement, company culture, and performance. Here, she applies her F1 expertise to help build people-centric companies. Bearne holds a master’s degree in Organizational Behavior, is an accredited CIPR public relations practitioner, and offers a unique blend of elite sports and HR knowledge.

Author, clinical psychologist, psychology professor, and New York Times bestselling author of It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, will also be one of the main speakers at HR Week Latvia. She provides deep insights into one of the most harmful phenomena of our time – narcissistic leadership. In her talk, Dr. Durvasula will explore why narcissists so often rise to power, the toll it takes on those around them, and how to protect your well-being without losing your voice. How do you spot a narcissistic leader before it’s too late, and is it even possible to change a toxic work environment?

Another speaker who knows all about perseverance and victory is Ben Ryan. Having played rugby from a young age, he went on to work for seven years as coach of England’s Rugby Sevens team, and later became head coach of Fiji’s Rugby Sevens team. Within three years, he led his squad to Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro – just one of many historic achievements under his leadership. At the conference, Ryan will share his journey and tell stories you likely won’t hear anywhere else.

Another key speaker is learning strategist Amanda Nolen, who combines technology, content, operating models, and modern L&D strategies. She merges her passion for learning with extensive experience in learning & development (L&D) and business growth. Nolen helps the world’s largest companies (Global 1000) execute digital learning transformations through the right strategies, people, tailored operating models, and effective engagement – because, as she notes, technology alone won’t change anything. In her talk on building a “right skills” strategy, she will analyze the real value and solutions of skills-based learning, as well as the hidden challenges. What exactly are the “right skills”? How can they be identified, nurtured, and aligned with company strategy?

Be sure not to miss one of the headline speakers, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and founder of Brainwise, Aisha Cortoos. Cortoos is known for her dynamic, science-based approach to mental well-being and performance. With vast experience and collaborations with leading companies across Europe, she provides practical insights on stress, sleep, focus, and resilience at work. In her talk, Strive to Thrive, Cortoos will explore how to foster a workplace culture that supports both mental health and high performance. An inspiring session awaits, where science intertwines with everyday strategies to help you and your team not just survive in a fast-paced environment but truly thrive.

Theo Smith – founder of Neuromine.ai, LinkedIn Top Voice, award-winning author of Neurodiversity at Work, and host of the podcast Neurodiversity with Theo Smith – is perhaps the strongest speaker on diversity topics. With over 15 years of experience in HR and talent development, he has advised industry leaders, organizations, and public institutions on talent acquisition and workplace neurodiversity. In his inspiring talk, this advocate for neurodiversity, critic of entrenched systems, and ambassador for change will reshape the audience’s perspective on inclusion, innovation, and human potential. This is not just another speech. It’s a call to action – to discover the beauty of our diverse minds and open the door to a future where people not only feel accepted but also thrive.

All of these speakers will meet participants of HR Week Latvia on October 1–2. The largest HR conference also recently took place in Lithuania – on September 11–12 in Vilnius, where HR Week brought together nearly 100 speakers and thousands of attendees under one roof, with sessions spread across four content halls. For more information about the upcoming HR Week Latvia conference, its speakers, and the program, see here.