Organizations are investing more in rewards than ever before, yet retention remains increasingly difficult to predict. Compensation and benefits continue to rank high in employee satisfaction, but the 2026 State of Rewards research found they are often weaker predictors of whether employees actually stay.
So what drives long term commitment?
In this live conversation, Shawn Achor joins Kawel LauBach to explore the disconnect between employee satisfaction and retention, and why career growth, recognition, and manager support may matter more than organizations realize. Together, they’ll unpack key findings from the research, discuss where leaders commonly misread retention signals, and share practical ways organizations can strengthen connection and commitment without simply increasing spend.
Attendees will leave with:
- A clearer understanding of what actually influences retention • Practical ways to identify hidden retention risks before they show up in turnover data.
- Ideas for strengthening recognition and career growth experiences without launching major new programs.
- Better frameworks for interpreting engagement and retention data • Language and insights to help build leadership alignment and gain executive buy in around retention priorities.
- Practical questions and conversation starters managers can use immediately with their teams.
This session is designed for HR and rewards leaders looking to move beyond surface level metrics and better understand what keeps employees committed over time.
Please note access to the live webinar is open to everyone. Access to the on-demand recording is member-only.
Shawn Achor is a Harvard trained researcher, New York Times bestselling author, and global authority on the connection between well-being, performance, and workplace success. He is the co-creator of The Orange Frog and The Happiness Advantage | Orange Frog Workshop, which helps organizations turn positive psychology research into everyday habits that elevate engagement, resilience, and productivity.
His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, seen by millions through TED and PBS, and applied by organizations including Microsoft, American Express, the NFL, and NASA. Shawn’s upcoming book, The Power of Beliefs from Crown Currency, will be released in May 2026.
Kawel LauBach is a recognized authority in Human Resources and Organizational Development, celebrated for shaping high-performance cultures that drive business growth and market differentiation. With over three decades of leadership experience spanning aviation, biotechnology, healthcare, hospitality, and logistics including Fortune 500 giants such as Southwest Airlines, Caesars Entertainment, and UPS; Kawel brings a rare blend of operational expertise and human capital strategy to the executive table.
A recipient of Global CHRO of the Year (HRO Today), Kawel has consistently demonstrated how aligning employee experience with customer outcomes creates measurable business impact. His leadership has earned organizations prestigious accolades, including America’s Best Employers (Forbes) and industry-first workplace excellence recognitions. Known for his ability to translate culture into competitive advantage, Kawel designs strategies that are future-focused, data-driven, and deeply human-centric.
As a thought leader, Kawel champions innovative approaches to workforce planning, talent development, and organizational design, leveraging analytics and behavioral science to anticipate market shifts and elevate enterprise performance. His career spans transformative leadership roles, including his current position as Chief Strategy & Operations Officer at WorldatWork, where he is helping shape the future of work through global strategy and operational innovation. Previously, as CHRO for leading global brands, he pioneered frameworks that directly connected employee engagement to customer satisfaction and organizational profitability.
Kawel’s insights extend beyond the boardroom. He actively contributes to advancing HR leadership through speaking engagements, advisory roles, and nonprofit board service focused on leadership and early learning initiatives. Holding degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Organizational Development, Kawel continues to influence the future of work by advocating for agile, inclusive, and purpose-driven organizations.
After nearly 40 years of HR practice, Catherine Peffin recently retired as Senior Vice President, Global Rewards & HRIS for Marriott Vacations Worldwide after 25 years with the company. She continues to consult in executive compensation and to teach on the WorldatWork faculty, which she joined in 2004.
In her last role at Marriott, Cathy developed strategy and execution for compensation, benefits, and HRIS, ensuring pay programs align with long-term business strategy and HR infrastructure. She previously served as Vice President of Global Compensation for Marriott International, leading compensation design for Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/Africa operations, as well as MVCI, Marriott’s vacation ownership business. Prior to joining Marriott, she was Human Resources Manager for GE Financial Assurance, a division of GE Capital.
Cathy has chaired WorldatWork's Sales Compensation Expert Council and Compensation Expert Council and is a WorldatWork Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP®), Certified Sales Compensation Professional (CSCP®), Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP®) and Certified Benefits Professional (CBP®).
She is an active speaker and trainer and is a guest lecturer on leadership at Rollins College. She holds a BS in Biology from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
