Fostering Growth Through Community: My View on LEHRN, ESA & UNLEASH America

Community can be one of your greatest assets as an HR or work tech founder. Engaging with the right networks allows you to gain real-world insights, spark valuable partnerships, and adapt quickly to market changes.

Community is a powerful force in the world of work and HR technology. As someone who has spent years partnering with ambitious founders and senior executives, I’ve witnessed how a supportive network can help emerging and established companies scale, reduce risks, and spark innovation.

I want to share how three particular communities—LEHRN, ESA (more details coming soon!), and UNLEASH America—are shaping the work tech space. These organizations each bring a unique perspective, whether through local events, global gatherings, or specialized advisory experiences. As the CEO & Managing Partner of WorkTech Advisory, I see our role as a bridge between founders, executives, and these communities, ensuring everyone reaps the benefits of real connections and expertise.

My path has involved hands-on operational roles in SaaS, strategic advisory work, and leading a WorkTech Advisory (WTA) team. We bring 100+ years of collective experience, offering high-touch consultation for global work and HR tech founders. In this post, I’ll explain how and why I believe community—and these three communities in particular—can transform your business journey and help you remain resilient in a competitive industry.

Why Community Matters for Work & HR Tech Founders

Community isn’t just about meeting people; it’s about forging trusted relationships, gaining practical insights, and testing your ideas with peers who truly understand the field. Founders often aim to:

1. Learn about new trends and technologies: Keeping up with shifting work tech trends can be challenging. Connecting with peers and experts ensures that you remain informed.

2. Validate ideas and products: A supportive network provides real-time feedback and constructive input, accelerating your decision-making and product development.

3. Expand reach: Attending events and participating in online forums can open doors to partnerships, new customers, and potential advisory relationships.

4. Manage risks: Hearing about others’ lessons can help founders avoid common pitfalls and be better prepared for scaling a SaaS or HR tech solution.

When you participate in communities that emphasize knowledge sharing, you increase your likelihood of achieving sustainable growth. Let me walk you through three groups I’m closely involved with: LEHRN, ESA, and UNLEASH America.

LEHRN: A Strong Local Network with Global Relevance

LEHRN is a professional community dedicated to aligning human resources, human capital management, and talent management with modern business practices. What sets LEHRN apart is its focus on practical and engaging events that bring together HR practitioners, consultants, and technology vendors.

• Local Roots, Broad Impact
  LEHRN began in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, but it offers value to anyone seeking fresh HR and talent management perspectives. Members share ways to optimize HR systems, streamline processes, and propose ideas that improve organizations' outcomes.

• Collaborative Environment
  Since it’s designed to be interactive, LEHRN’s events spark genuine conversations. Attendees typically walk away with insights that apply directly to their roles, whether they’re founders, HR leaders, or solution providers.

• Why This Matters to Founders
  LEHRN events can serve as a testing ground for an early-stage or scaling HR tech business. You’ll meet professionals who understand the environment and can offer quick yet meaningful feedback. The group is well-known for connecting people who need real stories from the front lines.

If you want to refine your product roadmap or explore new ways to connect with practitioners, LEHRN is an ideal community. I’ve personally seen how these gatherings can build a firm foundation for lasting partnerships.

ESA and the WorkTech Startup Program: A Direct Path to Advisory Relationships

Executive Strategic Alliance (ESA) has a special WorkTech Startup Program that brings senior-level executives—actively seeking board or advisory roles—together with founders and leaders of emerging HR tech or work tech companies.

• High-Value Introductions
  The ESA WorkTech Startup Program is structured so qualified startups can present their offerings to a curated group of executives from various domains (HR, IT, Finance, Operations). This format encourages rapid feedback and, often, follow-up discussions about advisory or board opportunities. The key point is that everyone in the group is genuinely interested in helping founders succeed.

• Prerequisites and Preparation
  Since these are seasoned corporate leaders, the program encourages presenters to come prepared with a clear business story, including why the solution matters, how it addresses critical industry needs, and any early results or proof-of-concept data. ESA also sets a recommended presentation outline:

  • Founder Introduction: Why you started the company, how you’ve grown so far

  • Specific Requests: The kind of advisory support or board involvement you seek

  • Product/Service Differentiation: How you stand out in an often-crowded HR tech environment

  • Action Steps: How executives can connect further or provide strategic support

• Tangible Benefits
  Founders gain more than feedback—they also gain potential collaborations with high-level professionals who have been in the trenches. Many participants find that even a short, structured session can open new doors to partner channels, pilot programs, or formal advisory roles.

In my experience, ESA is an unmatched resource for entrepreneurs who seek guided introductions to experts who can offer strategic counsel. Whether you are securing your first round of funding or expanding globally, ESA’s participants can make a measurable difference in your trajectory.

UNLEASH America: A Platform for Global Reach

UNLEASH America is a premier event for all things related to the future of work. This conference assembles thought leaders, innovators, and vendors from across the globe to discuss what’s next in HR tech, AI-driven innovation, and people management.

• Global Perspectives in One Place
  Unlike more local or niche gatherings, UNLEASH America is a large-scale convergence point. You can witness how top organizations approach talent acquisition, workforce planning, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. If you want a broad global market view, this is the place to get it.

• Education and Thought Leadership
  As an Analyst Speaker at UNLEASH America, I’ve shared insights on topics ranging from bridging skills gaps to demystifying AI. The audience is equally diverse—founders, investors, HR professionals, and media outlets looking for the next major industry trend. By immersing yourself in this event, you’ll grow your understanding of how workforce strategies are evolving.

• Networking at Scale
  UNLEASH is about high-level connections and learning from industry movers. More importantly, the scale of the event means you can explore countless partnership opportunities. From forging alliances to discovering your next big client, it’s an environment that fosters both immediate value and long-term relationships.

I often recommend UNLEASH America to founders who need a worldwide perspective. Because it welcomes people from every corner of HR and technology, you gain immediate access to ideas and peers who can sharpen your vision for what’s ahead.

The WorkTech Advisory Perspective

At WorkTech Advisory (WTA), we’ve dedicated ourselves to guiding global work and HR tech founders toward sustainable growth and lower risk. How do we do that? We combine decades of collective experience with a hands-on approach to advisory services. That approach includes:

• Strategic Alignment
  We start by understanding your business goals. Maybe you’re aiming for a new market segment or seeking guidance on your go-to-market strategy. Our mission is to align those goals with strategic actions that make sense in the current environment.

• High-Touch Consultation
  Rather than offering generic advice, we tailor each consultation to your company’s unique position. This can include focusing on enterprise deals, clarifying product messaging, or identifying the right advisors and board members to accelerate your plans.

• Community Engagement
  We’re firm believers in the idea that no organization grows in isolation. Our role often involves connecting you with communities like LEHRN, ESA, or events such as UNLEASH America. These communities can serve as your extended ecosystem, helping you test assumptions and find the right partnerships.

Through this combination of expertise and community alignment, WorkTech Advisory aims to provide the clarity that every founder needs when deciding how to expand, hire, and invest in technology development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why should a founder invest time in communities like LEHRN, ESA, or UNLEASH America?
A1: Communities provide valuable feedback, networking, and resources that can significantly shorten your path to success. LEHRN offers in-depth discussions around HR systems, ESA introduces you to senior executives seeking board involvement, and UNLEASH America is a gateway to the global work tech stage.

Q2: How do these communities complement one another?
A2: LEHRN is known for regional and highly engaged events, which are ideal for refining specific go-to-market ideas with local professionals. ESA facilitates structured meetings with seasoned executives who can become advisors or strategic partners. UNLEASH America is a large-scale venue for global exposure and innovative thought leadership. Together, they cover the full learning, networking, and growth spectrum.

Q3: As a founder, how can I maximize my community participation?
A3:

• Set clear objectives: Know what insights or connections you’re looking for.

• Ask specific questions: At a live event or an online forum, targeted questions yield better information.

• Follow up: Grab those business cards (or LinkedIn profiles) and schedule conversations after the event. A warm introduction can often lead to pilot programs, advisory roles, or strategic partnerships.

Q4: Where does WorkTech Advisory fit into this picture?
A4: We act as a strategic bridge. Whether clarifying your ideal growth path or arranging introductions to the right people, WTA accelerates founders’ journeys. We also consult on risk management and corporate positioning, ensuring you’re ready for these community forums.

Key Takeaways and Action Steps

1. Community is Essential
   Building a network is not a “nice-to-have.” It’s a core part of any successful HR tech or work tech business plan.

2. LEHRN for Local Insight
   If you want a down-to-earth and interactive environment, consider LEHRN’s community events.

3. ESA for High-Level Feedback
   If you’re looking for advisors, board members, or strategic counsel, the ESA WorkTech Startup Program is a proven avenue.

4. UNLEASH America for Global Reach
   This major conference brings the global stage to your doorstep—ideal for those seeking partnerships or industry-wide visibility.

5. WTA as Your Partner
   WorkTech Advisory ties these elements together, tailoring guidance for founders who want proven, results-driven strategy.

Need More Help?

Community is one of the most powerful catalysts for growth and risk reduction in our field. By plugging into LEHRN, ESA, and UNLEASH America, you’ll find fresh ideas, experienced advisors, and the inspiration to strengthen your strategic vision. My passion—personally and through WorkTech Advisory—is to help you connect these community resources with your business strategies.

If you’re ready to explore what these communities can do for your HR or work tech business, I’d be glad to schedule a dedicated time to talk. Let’s discuss your goals, identify the best community-based opportunities, and chart a plan for sustainable growth.

Schedule a meeting with me, and let’s take the next step together.