About us

The Global LERN Center of Excellence offers executive peer networks in the US, Europe and Canada for senior-level LR, ER and HR practitioners. These networks have remained true to the original model focused on confidential, peer-to-peer exchange regarding current and emerging key LR and ER challenges. Global LERN enjoys a rich legacy and holds a special position in the business community as a convener of 300+ senior thought leaders, and an independent, responsible voice among a broad range of member companies and external stakeholders.

 

Our History

  • 1914

    Our roots go back to the 1914 Ludlow Massacre in Colorado, when John D. Rockefeller Jr. convened a team of US industrial relations specialists. This initiative focused on progressive management practices and collaborative approaches to addressing workplace issues.

  • 1950s

    In the mid-1950’s, the US labor group was formally established by ORC Worldwide and has continued the tradition of advancing knowledge and the sharing of best practices for labor and employee relations professionals amongst large, unionized US companies.

  • 1980s

    In the mid-1980’s, the European counterpart – the International Social and Labour Affairs Forum – was launched to bring together HR and labour relations specialists to discuss the European Union’s (EU) expanding employment and social agenda.

  • 1990s

    In the early 1990s, European members comprised an influential consortium to address proposed EU legislation on employee information and consultation rights. Since then, the renamed European LERN’s scope has extended to include topics regarding global labour and employee relations issues, workplace human rights and social sustainability.

  • 2000-2021

    In 2004, the Canada Labour and Employee Relations Network was launched, following the same model for confidential peer-to-peer exchange amongst Canada’s largest unionized employers. Mercer acquired the ORC Networks in 2010.

  • Today

    K2 Global Partners acquired the Employee Relations Networks from Mercer in December 2021 and has launched the Global Labor and Employee Relations Center of Excellence to continue to meet the needs of LR/ER leaders across the US, Canada and Europe. These networks have remained true to the original model focused on confidential, peer-to-peer exchange regarding current and emerging key LR and ER challenges.

 

Karen Kachadoorian, CEO

Karen has led executive peer networks since 2004 when she joined ORC Worldwide (acquired by Mercer in 2010).  For 20 years, she has led Labor and Employee Relations networks in the US, Canada and Europe, in addition to global and regional peer networks for reward and HR leaders in top-tier organizations.

She delivers a highly rated member experience with network membership considered a 24/7 trusted, professional resource with easy access and ample sharing amongst 300+ LR/ER leaders to stay ahead of the curve regarding current and emerging workplace challenges.  She works closely with external subject matter experts from academia, organized labor and government agencies across markets to bring critical perspectives to members as they respond to internal and external challenges. 

It has been her passion to build strong professional communities with open sharing of knowledge and experiences, with the strong belief that members form the nucleus of the respective networks.  It is with the members’ interests front and center that drive the agendas and offerings throughout the year, with a flexible and attentive approach that allows for pivoting when necessary to address significant real-time developments.  

The global pandemic tested the strength of the networks; it was a learning experience for all due to the lack of an LR/ER playbook, and yet the networks remained strong and arguably more valuable to members.  Karen’s key take-away from the pivot to a mostly virtual networking offering is that the long history of delivering trusted, confidential experiences allowed for a powerful re-positioning for members where they can continue to rely on their trusted peer community through very difficult and unpredictable times.

The role of LR/ER has been amplified as a result of the pandemic, and there is strong rationale for establishing the Global LERN Center of Excellence as a single-focus professional resource.  The overwhelming support of recently retired network members, key LR thought leaders and subject matter experts led to Karen’s decision to form K2 Global Partners and launch Global LERN.  With their support as members of the Advisory Board, the Global LERN future is very bright.     

Karen earned her undergraduate degree in Finance and International Management at Georgetown University, and her MBA in Marketing and International Business at New York University.   She also studied at the Netherlands School of Business (Stichting Nijenrode) and the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Prior to joining ORC Worldwide in 2004, she was an executive compensation consultant with Towers Perrin and an investment banker in health care finance at Dean Witter and Thomson McKinnon.

 

Member companies

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