Next-Gen HVACR Leaders Meet in San Francisco for HARDI Emerging Leaders Event

August 6, 2025 - COLUMBUS, OH–Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) welcomed more than 100 of the HVACR industry's most promising professionals to San Francisco from July 22–24 for its annual Emerging Leaders Conference, the milestone event of a structured, three-year leadership development journey.

This year’s cohort included 49 new participants, with the remainder returning for their second or third year in the program. The Emerging Leaders program combines two in-person gatherings per year with a series of virtual education sessions designed to strengthen executive competencies, broaden industry perspective, and build a deep, cross-company leadership network.

In San Francisco, attendees heard from keynote speakers Mike Robbins, a workplace culture expert and former pro athlete, and Scott Friedman, a global speaker on innovation and employee engagement. The curriculum focused on interpreting market trends, turning data into action, career planning, and real-world case studies on how HVACR companies are beginning to leverage artificial intelligence.

Participants also took part in a unique mentorship experience with ten of HVACR’s most influential executives, offering rare access to candid leadership insight from the top of the channel.

“The long-term health and competitiveness of HARDI member companies depends on a strong leadership bench,” said Stella Keane, HARDI’s Vice President of Talent Development. “This program isn’t just about stepping into a role—it’s about learning to lead with confidence, foresight, and connection.”

The Emerging Leaders will reconvene this December in Las Vegas at HARDI’s Annual Conference: Gold Standard for their second in-person session of the year, featuring additional training and continued peer engagement.

Now in its eleventh year, HARDI’s Emerging Leaders program continues to expand as companies across the HVACR distribution channel invest in purposeful succession planning and the development of future-ready leadership.