AACA Luncheon Meeting
February 10, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
Inside the Total Rewards Job Market:
Trends, Talent & What's Next
Our Panelists:
Tom Darrow, SHRM-SCP
Founder and Principal
Talent Connections
With more than 35 years of professional human resources and talent acquisition experience, Tom helps his clients find strategic and impactful HR leaders. Talent Connections has conducted approximately 2000 HR searches across the US since the company’s founding in 1999 and those placed have impressive retention rates. He has built two successful companies himself–the other being an outplacement services and executive coaching firm, Career Spa. His previous work with global professional services firms Price Waterhouse (now PwC) and Accenture shaped Tom with substantial depth and business acumen. His infinite knowledge in human capital, hiring processes, and career management best practices is nationally acclaimed, and he’s often sourced by the media.
With a huge heart for service and a need to give back to the human resources profession, he has served nationally as Board Chair for the SHRM Foundation and Inaugural Board President for the Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals (ATAP). In the Atlanta area, he served two years at President of SHRM-Atlanta and is the most recent recipient of the SHRM-Atlanta Lifetime Achievement Award. He is deeply invested in the community as well, serving on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, The Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV), the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and he founded the Atlanta HR Prayer Breakfast ministry. Tom holds an BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Teela Jackson
SVP, Talent Delivery
Talent Connections
Teela has a passion for people, talent and organizational culture. She has partnered with C-suite executives to lead thousands of searches over the course of her 25+ year career in Talent Acquisition. She has a reputation as a trusted partner and leader to support organizational HR and business transformations. Teela has been instrumental in building Talent Connections into the organization it is today and is often referred to as “The HR Talent Guru.”
As Senior Vice President of Talent Connections, Teela has served as a strategic partner to HR executives and collaborated with senior leadership to evaluate and identify key HR talent needs in alignment with company goals and transformations. Prior to joining Talent Connections, Teela held key positions in corporate talent acquisition with Georgia-Pacific, Turner Broadcasting and CIGNA.
Teela earned an MBA from Mercer University and a BA in Business/Human Resources that she attended on a full academic scholarship from The University of Tennessee – Martin. Originally from Nashville, Teela has called Atlanta home since 2000.
Josh Mensinger
Senior Vice President - HR & Total Rewards Recruitment Practice
GQR
Josh is a Senior Vice President at GQR, leading the firm's HR & Total Rewards recruitment practice across the US. With deep expertise in Compensation, Benefits, and HRIS talent, he partners with senior HR and Total Rewards leaders to build high-impact teams and scale complex HR initiatives. Josh has built a community & following of over 30,000 HR and Total Rewards professionals, where he is known as a trusted candidate & client advocate, career partner, and avid connector who has helped hundreds of HR professionals navigate pivotal career transitions. He also hosts "HR After 5", a growing Charlotte-based HR & Total Rewards community focused on authentic connection and thought leadership. Recognized for his genuine nature, sharp execution to solve problems, and relationship-driven approach, Josh is focused on elevating the HR profession and shaping the next generation of HR & Total Rewards leaders.
Meg Newman
Chief People Officer
BrandSafway
Meg is a distinguished Human Resources executive known for her transformative leadership, people‑centric strategy, and ability to guide complex organizations through pivotal periods of growth and change. She previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at BrandSafway, where she oversaw global talent strategy, organizational development, and people operations.
Before her tenure at BrandSafway, Meg served as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., where she played a key role in successfully integrating two major market leaders into an $11 billion combined enterprise. Her work supported cultural harmonization, organizational structure, and the people strategies needed to advance the merged company’s performance.
Earlier in her career, Meg spent ten years as Chief People Officer at HD Supply, where she led large-scale change‑management initiatives, including guiding the company through an initial public offering in 2013 and multiple mergers and acquisitions. She also championed award‑winning employee wellness and engagement programs that significantly improved organizational health metrics.
Her foundational HR experience includes leadership roles at Conseco Insurance and Sears Roebuck & Company, where she broadened her expertise across diverse business environments.
Meg holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Coe College and a Master’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
re you seeing changes in companies’ willingness to offer remote/hybrid work arrangements? What do you project the next few years will bring with respect to flexibility in the workplace? Meeting Timing and Agenda:
- 11:30-12:00: Registration and Networking
- 12:00-12:30: Welcome & Luncheon
- 12:30-1:00: Presentation
- 1:00-1:15: Q&A & Closing Remarks
Thank You To Our Sponsors
