As organizations head into 2026, pay planning has become more strategic than ever. Salary budgets remain firm, but workforce strategies are shifting toward automation, reskilling, and greater pay transparency.

Diana Scott welcomes Mitchell Barnes and Rita Meyerson of The Conference Board to discuss how salary budgets are evolving; why pay equity and transparency are critical to retention; and how economists, HR leaders, and members of the C-Suite can partner to shape resilient, future-ready workforce strategies.