DRC launches 2026 Talent Labs cohort

The Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) has launched its 2026 DRC Talent Labs cohort, presented by Bank of America, bringing together talent and human resources professionals from across the Dallas Region for a five-month program focused on strengthening workforce and talent strategies. Representing 14 industries, with 72% of participants from organizations with more than 1,000 employees, the cohort includes professionals well-positioned to apply lessons learned within their organizations and influence workforce strategy across the region.

DRC Talent Labs equips participants with evidence-based strategies to address evolving workforce needs within their organizations. Through hands-on sessions, peer discussions and practical application, cohort members will examine key areas of talent management while developing a Capstone Talent Plan tailored to their organization.

The 2026 cohort began the program Wednesday, Aug. 5, with its first session, Organizational Alignment & Culture, focused on the relationship between organizational goals, workplace culture and employee engagement.

Running through December, Talent Labs features five monthly sessions that explore some of the most pressing issues shaping today’s workplace. Topics include building internal talent pipelines through upskilling and workforce development, adopting AI to increase workforce capacity and translating lessons from the program into actionable talent strategies.

The program also includes Bank of America Workforce Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Bank of America’s Infomart, providing cohort members with an opportunity to examine workforce strategies and practices in action.

Throughout the program, participants will build connections with fellow talent leaders from across the region while developing their Capstone Talent Plans. The cohort will conclude Wednesday, Dec. 2, with group presentations focused on applying program insights within participants’ organizations.

Upon completion of DRC Talent Labs, participants will earn eight Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) recertification credits.

The members of the 2026 DRC Talent Labs cohort are:

NAME ORGANIZATION
Ali Stillman McCarthy Building Companies
Asia Wellington AMN Healthcare
Charla Callier Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas
Colton Prater PepsiCo
Danielle Williams Regal Rexnord
Ebony Alexander UT Southwestern
Erika Guerrero City of Dallas
Gabriela Garza-Ramos Improving
Jennifer Weir Children’s Health System of Texas
Jessica Staggs Schneider Electric
Jessica Pfeiffer AT&T
Jim Croall Tonic3
Judi Umali-Rajkumar SMU Cox School of Business
Kaitlyn Osteen HKS, Inc.
Krystina Myers PGA of America
Larry Walker Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC
Laura Mirochna Dallas College
Meagan Clemons Saville CPAs & Advisors, L.L.C
Nicholas Coy KPMG US
Samantha Heckroth Arcosa
Stephen Tusken City of Dallas
Taylor Bretl Two Roads Consulting
Traci Kirkland Ruiz Foods
Tyrel Jernigan Scouting America
Victoria Hortman Child Poverty Action Lab

For more information or to learn more about joining next year’s cohort, contact DRC Director of Talent Strategies, Tyler Files.