Culture BY Design: The Stories and Systems That Inform Organizations
Thursday, November 12 | 11:30am - 1pm | The Encompass Group Office
Overview:
Culture is shaped by more than values and vision. It's influenced by the stories people tell, the systems they use, and the experiences they have every day. Join Robert Rich of The Encompass Group and Melanie McLaury from ExponentHR for an interactive session exploring how organizational culture and technology work together to drive engagement, development, and performance.
Through facilitated discussion, table exercises, and real-world examples, participants will examine the "Three Stories" that shape culture, identify organizational roadblocks, and learn how technology systems can either reinforce or undermine strategic culture goals. Attendees will leave with practical insights for creating greater alignment between their people, processes, and platforms.
This event offers 1.0 SHRM PDC.
Culture is shaped by more than values and vision. It's influenced by the stories people tell, the systems they use, and the experiences they have every day. Join Robert Rich of The Encompass Group and Melanie McLaury from ExponentHR for an interactive session exploring how organizational culture and technology work together to drive engagement, development, and performance.
Through facilitated discussion, table exercises, and real-world examples, participants will examine the "Three Stories" that shape culture, identify organizational roadblocks, and learn how technology systems can either reinforce or undermine strategic culture goals. Attendees will leave with practical insights for creating greater alignment between their people, processes, and platforms.
This event offers 1.0 SHRM PDC.
Location
The Encompass Group
405 State Hwy 121 BYP D120, Lewisville, TX 75067
Google Maps Link
Apple Maps Link
(located off of Sam Rayburn Tollway in between the MacArthur and Denton Tap exits)
405 State Hwy 121 BYP D120, Lewisville, TX 75067
Google Maps Link
Apple Maps Link
(located off of Sam Rayburn Tollway in between the MacArthur and Denton Tap exits)
Date & Time
November 12, 2026, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Speakers
Robert Rich, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Vice President, Transformational Consulting
The Encompass Group
The Encompass Group
Robert Rich is Vice President of Transformational Consulting at The Encompass Group, where he works with executive teams to align leadership, culture, and organizational systems in ways that drive sustainable performance. His work focuses on helping organizations translate strategic ambition into the structures, behaviors, and leadership practices that produce measurable results. His work often centers on helping leadership teams align people strategy and HR infrastructure to support integration, scalability, and long term enterprise value.
He is a frequent speaker on leadership, culture, and the evolving role of HR in business strategy, and was recently recognized as DallasHR’s 2025 Consultant of the Year.
He is a frequent speaker on leadership, culture, and the evolving role of HR in business strategy, and was recently recognized as DallasHR’s 2025 Consultant of the Year.
MELANIE MCLAURY
Head of Technology Enablement
ExponentHR
ExponentHR
Melanie McLaury is a tenured leader in the HR and payroll technology space, known for her deep expertise, customer-centric approach, and ability to connect strategy with real-world application. With more than 20 years at ExponentHR, she is an established system expert who translates complex technology into practical, strategic solutions that help organizations make informed decisions.
As Head of Technology Enablement, Melanie leads education and training initiatives for internal teams, clients, and prospective organizations. Known for her engaging presence and ability to simplify complex concepts, Melanie brings both insight and clarity to every interaction—making her a trusted guide for organizations navigating today’s HR technology landscape.