In this webinar, speakers from MissionSquare Research Institute will discuss their annual “Trends to Watch” report, highlighting predictions for developments that will help shape workforce strategies in the year ahead. From the rising importance of financial wellness and guaranteed income to the human impact of artificial intelligence (AI), the Institute’s findings underscore a common theme: organizations that pair innovation with intentional investment in their people will lead the way.
DATE: April 30, 2026
TIME: 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
COST: Free!
Presenters:
Zhikun "Dennis" Liu, PhD, Head of MissionSquare Research Institute
Zhikun Liu, PhD., CFP®, Vice President, Head of MissionSquare Research Institute
Dr. Zhikun "Dennis" Liu is the Head of MissionSquare Research Institute, bringing a rich blend of industry expertise, academic excellence, and research acumen. His career spans significant positions at the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Empower Retirement, where he notably contributed to financial wellness and retirement readiness through innovative financial planning models and engines, including the acclaimed Ballpark E$timate®, My Total Wealth®, and the Financial Wellness Scoring System.
Dr. Liu's extensive academic background is marked by his experience teaching at Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Texas. He has taught a wide array of subjects, ranging from economics to personal finance and mathematics. In addition to his teaching credentials, Dr. Liu is a distinguished CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
A prolific contributor to academic and industry literature, Dr. Liu's research papers are frequently cited in the news media, and he is a sought-after speaker at conferences. His leadership and contributions in the field underscore his commitment to enhancing financial literacy and retirement planning strategies.
Gerald Young, Senior Researcher
Gerald Young, Senior Researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute
Mr. Young serves as Senior Researcher at MissionSquare Research Institute. In this role, he conducts quantitative and case study research on workforce issues, public retirement plans, shared staffing, DEI, financial wellness, and other related topics.
Prior to joining the Research Institute in 2017, he worked with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for over two decades on performance management, police recruitment, organizing best practices symposia, and researching smart communities and local government innovation. He has also served local government directly for eight years with the cities of Chula Vista and Loma Linda, California, with a focus on budgeting and program evaluation.
His research has been covered by a variety of publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Federal News Network, Pensions & Investments, PlanSponsor, Politico, Axios, Route Fifty, and American City and County, among others, as well as the IBM Center for the Business of Government. He has presented at various state, national, and international conferences.
Mr. Young earned a master's in public administration from the University of Kansas and bachelor's degrees in mathematics / computer science and political science from Loyola University Chicago.
You can email Gerald at gyoung@missionsq.org.
Thank you to 2026 Corporate Partner, MissionSquare, for being a 2026 Friend of NACA and supporting county administrators across the U.S.!