Presented by Amanda Kilpatrick

This event is approved for SHRM PDCs and HRCI Business Recertification Credits!

Most organizations do not struggle because they lack talented people. They struggle because expectations are unclear, roles are inconsistently defined, and readiness conversations are often based more on opinion than structure.

In this interactive learning lab, Amanda takes a practical, honest look at job benchmarking and individual readiness beyond the spreadsheets and corporate buzzwords. Participants will explore how to create clearer role expectations, define meaningful differences between levels, and make more confident decisions around hiring, promotion, succession planning, and employee development.

This session blends real-world examples, group discussion, practical tools, and a brief organizational reality check on how many companies unintentionally create impossible expectations, unclear growth paths, and “unicorn” job descriptions.

Amanda Kilpatrick is a senior HR leader and consultant with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations navigate hiring, leadership, organizational effectiveness, and talent strategy in real-world environments. She specializes in turning complex HR concepts into practical, people-centered approaches that leaders can actually apply.

Known for her candid and relatable style, Amanda brings a mix of strategic insight, humor, and real organizational experience to conversations around job benchmarking, readiness, career growth, and workplace dynamics. She is passionate about helping organizations create clearer expectations, stronger talent decisions, and more realistic paths for employee development.

She also strongly believes that not every role needs to require 15 years of experience, executive presence, advanced analytics, and the ability to “wear many hats” for a mid-level salary.