AACA Luncheon Meeting

AACA Luncheon Meeting
May 27, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Catering by Red Pepper Taqueria

"Handed a salty & sour merit budget? Sounds like Margaritas to me!"

How much of a merit increase would you consider sour enough to create a salty cycle for your company? Given that organizations consider themselves lucky to get a merit cycle in the 3.5-4% range, what happens when you are given 2%, the proverbial limes, and asked to deliver pay for performance, deal with compression, plus evaluate and tackle pay equity issues?  Of course, all while dealing with the specific needs of teams; do they need it frozen or on the rocks?

We won't disagree that the best option for a great Margarita might be to quickly head to Mexico for some “research and planning,” Still, upon your rested and recharged return, our panel's goal is to give you and your team insights and examples surrounding how organizations can start with some limes and a salty budget but create a top shelf beverage.

Our panel will explore practical ways to reward top performers with plenty of well-aged agave, while keeping an eye on compression, and begin to evaluate and tackle pay equity issues during the compensation planning cycle—all while squeezing the most out of your budget.

Most importantly, there will be time at the end for attendees’ questions so that we can align the panel’s thoughts with your real-world situations.

Event Sponsored by:

Our Speakers: 

Sean Lutijens
VP of Strategy
Salary.com

Sean has an extensive background working in strategic roles across organizations holding positions in Product Development, System Architecture, Global Sales, Corporate Strategy, Marketing, Benchmarking, and M&A. 

Prior to Salary.com, Sean held leadership positions at Visier, Korn Ferry, AIRINC, and a Principal at Mercer, where he managed the global benefits benchmarking business.  His background also includes Monster as the Director of Product Strategy,  and a Product Development for the interactive businesses of Fidelity Capital. Additionally, Sean also serves on the board of directors for two additional non-profit organizations.

Sean has worked with clients and partners as well as spoken on a wide range of topics including but not limited to total rewards, pay equity, global mobility, recruitment, compensation and benefits methodology and trends, as well as merger & acquisition strategies.  When not working, Sean can likely be found in the great outdoors hitting the trails, climbing, or partaking in a triathlon; in general attempting to not grow up.

Nicole Long, MS, CCP, TRLC, SHRM-SCP
Associate Vice Chancellor, Classification & Compensation
University System of Georgia

Nicole Long is an accomplished Human Resources and Total Rewards leader with more than 30 years of experience across the private, non-profit, and public sectors. She has successfully led HR and rewards strategies for organizations ranging from 100 to 100,000 associates. Nicole holds a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, along with SHRM-SCP and WorldatWork CCP and TRLC certifications. She is committed to continuous learning in leadership, HR strategy, and emerging industry trends.

In her current role as Associate Vice Chancellor for Classification and Compensation for the University System of Georgia, Nicole leads enterprise-wide compensation and job architecture for more than 100,000 faculty, staff, and student employees while also supporting the transition to a new ERP system. Previously, she served as Compensation Manager at Printpack, where she oversaw compensation programs for a multinational manufacturing company with over 3,500 employees. Her diverse background in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and government positions her as a dynamic leader capable of driving people-focused initiatives across varied industries.

Nicole is Past President of the Atlanta Area Compensation Association, an elite WorldatWork affiliate organization, and currently serves as President of the South Metro HR Association. Her leadership and strategic insight have established her as a trusted advisor in the design and execution of innovative HR and total rewards programs that advance organizational success.

A rare native Atlantan, Nicole enjoys the warmth and culture of the South. She is married and has three adult children—none of whom chose a career in HR. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and traveling, especially to destinations with a beach.

Angie Woodruff
Vice President of Global Total Rewards
UPS

Angie leads the design and execution of global compensation programs, international benefits, M&A diligence and post-close integrations, and organizational design initiatives for one of the world’s largest logistics companies. With nearly 15 years of experience in Total Rewards and having held various roles in Operations, she brings a unique blend of operational insight and HR expertise to her role, ensuring that reward strategies are both business-aligned and employee-centric.  Angie earned her degree in Behavioral Science and Statistics from the University of Utah, and she continues to apply data-driven insights to build resilient, equitable, and high-impact reward systems. Originally from Utah, she finds balance and inspiration from outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing—an affinity that supports her resilient, grounded, and purposeful leadership style. Angie is passionate about and known for her ability to translate complex business needs into pragmatic, human-centered Total Rewards solutions that empower people and drive organizational success.

re you seeing changes in companies’ willingness to offer remote/hybrid work arrangements?  What do you project the next few years will bring with respect to flexibility in the workplace?  Meeting Timing and Agenda: 

• 11:30-12:00:  Registration and Networking
• 12:00-12:30: Welcome & Luncheon
• 12:30-1:00:  Presentation
• 1:00-1:30:  Q&A & Closing Remarks

Thank You To Our Sponsors