Checkr Forward 2019: A Day of Connection and Growth

Checkr Forward kicked off in San Francisco on November 4-5th. Below are some highlights from the keynotes, sessions, and conversations throughout the conference. 

“When we started Checkr over five years ago, I never could have imagined such a great community of innovators would be meeting in this room today,” our CEO and co-founder, Daniel Yanisse said to a packed audience at SFJAZZ. “I hope you’ll be inspired by the conversations we’re going to have and the opportunities today will provide to learn from one another.” 

This idea of connection and learning was present throughout his keynote and the entire conference. We started the morning off with intimate conversations with leaders from Postmates, Compass Group, and Lyft who shared how they’re managing trust & safety on their platforms, meeting candidates where they are, and striving to build empathy and understanding for consumers on both sides of the equation.

Daniel rounded out his keynote by announcing the launch of Checkr Assess—which brings thoughtful automation to the adjudication process, so companies can increase operational efficiency and hire more consistently. With flexible tools and data-driven insights, Assess gives companies the flexibility to define their adjudication criteria in their own way, so they can focus on those reports that need their attention most.

Checkr Assess is currently in beta and will available in mid 2020. You can be the first to hear about the Checkr Assess launch by subscribing here. If you’re a customer who’s interested in early access, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager.

After the morning keynote, attendees flowed into two breakout tracks: one focused on hiring, the other on trust, safety, and compliance.

Kay Ring, VP, Global Talent Cloud Solutions at TalentBurst and Jessica Johnson, Director of National Accounts at PDS Tech, shared their perspectives on the impact Gen Z is having on the hiring landscape.

Jonathan Bushnell, Head of Critical Escalations and Data Privacy Officer at Thumbtack, broke down their unique approach to handling background checks.

Scott Wintrip, keynote speaker and author, challenged the audience on their current hiring practices and introduced his framework to hiring success.

For the first time, we hosted a customer and partner facing re-entry simulation, which immersed participants in the struggles and challenges faced by individuals who are transitioning from incarceration back into society. Participants were given a reentry profile, which included a name, criminal history, and available funds. They were then tasked with using this profile to navigate parts of the reentry process, from securing housing to finding employment. Feedback from the simulation was overwhelmingly positive—all the participants walked away with a deeper sense of empathy and felt motivated to make change within their community.

The conference closed out with a Q&A with Mj Rodriguez, star of the Emmy-winning Pose on FX. Mj shared how her experiences as a trans woman of color have shaped how she navigates both her identity and work. She urged attendees to build connection with those around them and expressed the importance of allyship, honesty, and empathy. 

Thanks to those that attended this year’s Checkr Forward! We hope you made some valuable connections and walked away feeling inspired and motivated to make change within your organization and broader community.