Future Ready HR: Workforce Trends Defining Higher Education

Higher education HR leaders are navigating a rapidly evolving workforce landscape: increasing challenges related to recruitment, retention, employee engagement, workplace flexibility, and rising healthcare and benefits costs.
Join us on June 2 for an interactive workshop

· Explore the workforce and employee experience trends shaping higher education in 2026.

· Discuss changing candidate expectations, employer branding, flexible work strategies, mental health and wellbeing, and the growing role of data-driven HR practices.

· Leave with practical insights and actionable strategies to strengthen talent attraction and retention, enhance employee engagement, and build a more agile and competitive workforce for the future.

Presenter Bios

Marilyn Espinosa

Vice President, Business Development

Marilyn is Vice President, Business Development at Brown & Brown, where she advises mid-market and large employers on health and welfare strategy, workforce engagement and employee experience initiatives. With over 19 years of experience in employee benefits consulting, she brings a consultative, data-driven approach focused on long-term sustainability, employee engagement and reducing administrative burden.

Known for her ability to bring clarity and creative, out-of-the-box thinking to complex challenges, Marilyn is known for her strategic approach to renewal negotiations, alternative funding strategies, compliance and workforce-focused benefits planning.

Marilyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Baruch College and is actively involved in the industry and community. She serves on the board of the NY Metro Chapter of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS), is part of the Brown & Brown leadership team for Somos, the organization’s Latino Employee Resource Group, and is the organizer of DisruptHR Dutchess County.

David Singer

Senior Managing Director

David Singer is a Senior Managing Director providing executive oversight for many Brown & Brown clients.

David has built his career on collaboration with exceptional teams and a commitment to delivering client-focused solutions.

Beyond his insurance experience and expertise, he is the author of Six Simple Rules for a Better Life, maintains the "Six Simple Rules" blog, and is a sought-after speaker on wellness topics, presenting to clients and as a keynote.

David holds a BS in Business from the University at Albany and carries the CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designations.

An advocate for diversity, inclusion, and belonging, he has been involved in this area for many years at his firm and is a member of the Inclusion & Impact committee of The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, the national trade organization for leading insurance firms.

Joe Tracy

District Manager ADP Major Accounts

As a seasoned sales consultant with ADP for over 13 years, Joe has specialized in delivering comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions to enhance the employee lifecycle for organizations. His role focuses on fostering strategic partnerships to expand market share while addressing critical business needs such as HR administration, payroll, benefits, and compliance through cutting-edge technology and services. His work emphasizes collaboration with clients to streamline processes, improve workforce management, and achieve measurable results.

Previously at ADP. Joe managed P&C insurance sales across multiple states and implemented strategies that increased mid-market engagement. Passionate about addressing complex workforce challenges, Joe is dedicated to driving organizational success through tailored solutions and a client-first approach.

Joe earned his bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac University and is an active member of the alumni network of both Quinnipiac University and Don Bosco Prep HS, where he also attended. Joe is an active member of his community as a volunteer coach in numerous youth sports. Joe enjoys time away from the office spending time with his family, cheering on his favorite sports teams (Yankees, Knicks and Giants) as well as golfing and fishing.

Fermin Espinosa

Sales Executive ADP Major Account

Fermin Espinosa earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University at Albany in 1991. A native of the Dominican Republic, he became President and Vice-President of U of Albany's 18,000-member Student Association. He was also initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated in 1986 at age 17 and served four consecutive years as President of its local graduate chapter (2014-17) that primarily serves communities of color in the Bronx and Westchester counties.
His professional career began as a Business Development Counselor for the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 1991. In this role, he was instrumental in the revival of a state-sponsored program to aid minority and women-owned businesses with financing and business management services over a four-year stretch.
1995 is the beginning of his journey into the financial services sector during which he has assumed a variety of client-facing and business development roles at Allmerica Investments, Wachovia and UBS Financial Services from 1995 to 2014. After a 13-year career at UBS (2001-2014), he joined Human Capital Management services giant ADP as a District Manager in August 2014. In this capacity, he was responsible for new business development and managing a portfolio of clients for ADP's Major Accounts division by delivering B2B workforce management solutions to midmarket organizations and businesses.
Effective July 1, 2018, he was elevated to ADP's sales leadership in Major Accounts to oversee the Client District Manager team covering Manhattan and Brooklyn and all clients in their midmarket space. He continues serving in this role today and is tasked with growing revenues and gaining market share by expanding current relationships and acquiring prospects through the same.
Fermin is an avid sports enthusiast with die-hard allegiance to the Yankees, Knicks, and America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Stay after the workshop for a happy hour reception. Continue the conversation and connect with fellow higher education HR professionals.

Date: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

Time: 4pm - 7pm

Location: Fordham University - Lincoln Center campus (Bateman Room)

150 West 62nd Street, 2nd Floor, Bateman Room

Please register with your institution's email address and bring a photo ID that matches your registration information when you are checking in.

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