Top 100 HR Tech Influencers

Meet the 2025 Top 100 HR Tech Influencers

HR doesn’t look like it did five years ago. It’s a field powered by AI, backed by data and shaped by empathy. And behind that transformation is a powerful group of people leading the charge.

They’re the ones on the front lines of innovation—redefining HR not just as a department, but as a driver of business success.

Every year, HR Executive spotlights 100 professionals who are making a real difference in how the world works and how technology supports it. As we sit solidly in the middle of a change-driven decade, this year’s list reflects that HR isn’t keeping up with the future—it’s building it.

See more: Who made our Top 100 and why did they make it?

From chief people officers using AI to map career paths to analysts uncovering hidden DEI gaps in data to product officers anticipating the needs of HR pros, these leaders bring bold ideas to life.

Top 100 HR Tech influencers These leaders share key traits that define their impact:

They turn workplace culture into strategic advantage.
They treat data like a leadership tool.
They view tech as a problem solver.
And they understand that people—not processes—are at the heart of it all.

Who made the list in 2024? See it here.

For those in HR and passionate about the future of work, this list is the guide to the minds shaping what comes next.

All Members

HR & Accounts

Sales & Marketing

IT Support

Jeanne Achille

Program chair; CEO

Company:

HR Executive's Women in HR Tech Summit at HR Tech; The Devon Group

Visit:

https://www.devonpr.com/about

The Devon Group; Women in HR Tech Summit

Tech PR expert, business strategist, podcaster and speaker.

Lucy Adams

CEO

Company:

Disruptive HR

Visit:

https://disruptivehr.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688

Disruptive HR

CEO of Disruptive HR, an agency dedicated to challenging conventional practices, reimagining

J. Ofori Agboka

VP People Experience & Technology, Global Operations

Company:

Amazon

Manages the worldwide HR initiatives and goals for Customer Service, Fulfillment, Transportation,

Matt Alder

Analyst and podcaster

Company:

MetaShift/Two Heads Consulting

Visit:

https://mattalder.com/

Recruiting Future

Strategic innovation consultant, industry commentator, and host of Recruiting Future, one of

Justin Angsuwat

Chief People Officer

Company:

Culture Amp

Visit:

https://www.cultureamp.com/company/announcements/culture-amp-welcomes-justin-angsuwat-as-chief-people-officer

Culture Amp

Blends people analytics and behavioral science to optimize workplace performance and create

Jason Averbook

Global Leader Digital HR Strategy

Company:

Mercer

Visit:

https://www.jasonaverbook.com/about

Mercer

Leading figure in global generative AI strategy, coming up with innovative solutions

John Baldino

CEO, Founder

Company:

Humareso

Visit:

https://humareso.com/about-humareso

Humareso

Leads Humareso, providing organizational design and development, business strategy, talent management, employee

Mahe Bayireddi

CEO, Co-Founder

Company:

Phenom

Visit:

https://www.phenom.com/about

Phenom

CEO and co-founder of Phenom, an applied AI company specializing in HR

Dan Beck

President and Chief Product Officer

Company:

SAP SuccessFactors

Visit:

https://www.sap.com/products/hcm.html

SAP SuccessFactors

Responsible for setting product vision and strategy, leading product management and design,

Jens Bender

Founder, Managing Partner

Company:

WorkTech Advisory

Visit:

https://www.worktech-advisory.com/jens-bender

WorkTech Advisory GmbH

Advisor to HR Tech leaders and investors on product strategy, portfolio and

Iesha Berry

Chief Talent and Culture Officer

Company:

Docusign

Visit:

https://investor.docusign.com/investors/governance/board-of-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=5acd1a0b-1306-4761-a3c7-5e5931d41ce2

Docusign

Drives Docusign's global DEI strategy and programs, while shaping the company's culture

Josh Bersin

Global Industry Analyst and CEO

Company:

The Josh Bersin Company

Visit:

https://joshbersin.com/

The Josh Bersin Company

Josh is an analyst and thought leader specializing in the global talent market

Maria Black

President and CEO

Company:

ADP

Visit:

https://www.adp.com/about-adp/leadership/maria-black.aspx

ADP

Black is committed to providing employers with an empowered view into the

Bill Boorman

Advisor to talent tech companies

Company:

VONQ

Advises startups on growth, exit, and strategy, while founding #tru, a global

Steve Boese

President and Co-Founder

Company:

H3 HR Advisors Inc.

Visit:

https://www.h3hr.com/leadership-team/

H3 HR Advisors; HR Tech; HR Executive

<i>HR Executive</i>'s Inside HR Tech columnist and chair of the HR Tech

Matthew Brown

Director of Research, HCM

Company:

ISG

Visit:

https://research.isg-one.com/about/matthew-brown

ISG

Fuses HR, marketing and IT savvy to reimagine workforce strategy—championing inclusive, tech-enabled

Yvette Cameron

Senior Vice President, Global HCM Product Strategy

Company:

Oracle

Visit:

https://www.oracle.com/corporate/

Oracle

HCM technology leader, HR tech adviser, founder, investor and former analyst.

Jacqui Canney

Chief People and AI Enablement Officer

Company:

ServiceNow

Visit:

https://www.servicenow.com/company/executive-team.html

ServiceNow

Chief People and AI Enablement Officer at ServiceNow, leading all talent strategies

Amy Cappellanti-Wolf

Chief People Officer

Company:

Dayforce

Visit:

https://investors.dayforce.com/news-and-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Dayforce-Appoints-Amy-Cappellanti-Wolf-as-EVP-and-Chief-People-Officer/default.aspx

Dayforce

Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at HR software and services

Anna Carlsson

HR Tech Analyst

Company:

HR Digi

Visit:

https://www.hrdigi.se/en/about-us

HR Digi

Carlsson offers business analysis, advice, inspirational workshops and education to create the

Jason Cerrato

VP, Talent-centered Transformation

Company:

Eightfold

Visit:

https://eightfold.ai/blog/contributor/jcerrato/

Eightfold

Talent leader and former HR tech industry analyst with a background in

Gloria T. Chen

Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President, Employee Experience

Company:

Adobe

Visit:

https://www.adobe.com/about-adobe/leaders/gloria-chen.html

Adobe

Leads all aspects of the company's global people and workplace strategy, including

Rohit Chennamaneni

Co-founder

Company:

Darwinbox

Leads operations, investment, and expansion strategy. A former McKinsey engagement manager and

Zachary Chertok

Market and industry analyst

Company:

IDC

Visit:

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=PRF005638

IDC

Has been covering HCM employee experience technologies, investor guidance, and consultative services

Amy Coleman

Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Company:

Microsoft

Visit:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/human-resources/voices-of-hr?activetab=hr-leaders:primaryr4

Microsoft

Focused on empowering 220,000+ global employees to achieve Microsoft’s mission. In her

Parker Conrad

Founder

Company:

Rippling

Visit:

https://www.rippling.com/blog/author/parker-conrad

Rippling

He is the co-founder and CEO of Rippling, which unifies HR, IT,

Carina Cortez

Chief People Officer

Company:

Cornerstone OnDemand

Visit:

https://www.cornerstoneondemand.com/company/leadership-team/carina-cortez/

Cornerstone OnDemand

Leads the people strategy for 4,000 employees across more than two dozen

Al Dea

Founder

Company:

The Edge of Work

Visit:

https://theedgeofwork.com/

The Edge of Work

Runs The Edge of Work, a leadership consulting firm. He explores leadership,

Erika Broadwater Deaver

Director of Talent Experience/People & Culture Consultant

Company:

National Association of African Americans in Human Resources

Visit:

https://www.naaahr.org/

Company:

The Horizons Group

National President of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources;

Mervyn Dinnen

Analyst

Company:

Two Heads Consulting

Visit:

https://mervyndinnen.wordpress.com/

Two Heads Consulting

Analyst and influencer, an International speaker and content creator. He is host of

Maren Dollwet Waggoner, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President, People - Global Tech and Corporate Functions People

Company:

Walmart

Agile and forward-thinking human resources executive focusing on workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness,

Kris Dunn

Chief Human Resources Officer, U.S. and Canada

Company:

Marriott International

Marriott

TA leader who has led talent practices in Fortune 500s and venture

Torin Ellis

Principal

Company:

The Torin Ellis Brand

Visit:

https://torinellis.com/

The Torin Ellis Brand

Leads a progressive HR boutique with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Peter Fasolo

Director

Company:

Human Resources Policy Institute, BU

Visit:

https://www.bu.edu/hrpi/

Human Resources Policy Institute, BU

Fasolo, formerly Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Johnson &

Christopher J. Fernandez

Corporate Vice President, HR, and Chief HR AI Officer

Company:

Microsoft

Visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7307821705136128001/

Microsoft

Led Microsoft HR's worldwide AI transformation, thought leadership and implementation from the

Alexis Fink

Global thought leader

Company:

Global thought leader in people analytics, leadership, and organizational transformation, with past

Kyle Forrest

Future of HR leader

Company:

Deloitte Consulting

Visit:

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/profiles/kyle-forrest.html

Deloitte Consulting

Future of HR Leader, advising clients on HR transformation, M&A, and human-centered

Stacia Garr

Co-founder and Principal Analyst

Company:

RedThread Research

Visit:

https://redthreadresearch.com/about-us/

RedThread Research

Researcher and thought leader on talent management, leadership, D&I, people analytics and

Adam Godson

CEO

Company:

Paradox.ai

Visit:

https://www.paradox.ai/leadership/adam-godson

Paradox.ai

Industry leader in solving talent acquisition challenges with innovative technology.

Pragya Gupta

Chief Product & Technology Officer

Company:

isolved

Visit:

https://www.isolvedhcm.com/meet-isolved/leadership

isolved

Drives AI-led transformation and growth strategy for a $500M+ business, previously leading

Brian Hackett

Founder

Company:

The Learning Forum

Visit:

https://thelearningforum.org/brians-bio/

The Learning Forum

Hackett is the founder of The Learning Forum, a member-driven learning organization

Teuila Hanson

SVP and Chief People Officer

Company:

Visit:

https://news.linkedin.com/about-us/teuila-hanson-bio1

As a leader of strategy and people functions, Hanson designs and leads

Stacey Harris

Chief Research Officer, Managing Partner

Company:

Sapient Insights Group

Visit:

https://sapientinsights.com/staff/stacey-harris/

Sapient Insights Group

Researcher and analyst.

Chris Havrilla

Vice President, HCM Product Strategy

Company:

Oracle

Visit:

https://blogs.oracle.com/oraclehcm/post/visionary-leader-chris-havrilla-joins-oracle-cloud-hcm-product-strategy-team

Oracle

Unique blend of technical, HR practitioner, business and vendor experience; talent, HR

Leigh Elena Henderson

Founder; podcast host

Company:

HR Manifesto

Visit:

https://www.hrmanifesto.com/

HR Manifesto

HR Besties Podcast

Founder of HRManifesto, advocates for workplace authenticity and mental health. She co-hosts

Monique Herena

Chief Colleague Experience Officer

Company:

American Express

Visit:

https://ir.americanexpress.com/governance-and-corporate-responsibility/executive-committee-and-directors/person-details/default.aspx?ItemId=fbdbafc5-4e73-4c93-b673-31bd476cb773

American Express

Has 30 years of cross-industry HR leadership experience leading global teams and

Melissa Shelley Höjwall

Manager Digital Employee Life Cycle

Company:

H&M Group

Serena Huang

Founder

Company:

Data with Serena

Visit:

https://www.datawithserena.com/

Data with Serena

Revolutionizing how organizations approach talent, wellbeing, and DEI through data and AI.

Ravin Jesuthasan

Global Leader for Transformation Services; Author and Futurist

Company:

Mercer

Visit:

https://www.ravinjesuthasan.com/

Mercer

Global thought leader and author on the future of work, automation and

Dani Johnson

Co-founder and Principal Analyst

Company:

RedThread Research

Visit:

https://redthreadresearch.com/dani-johnson/

RedThread Research

Johnson's specialties include organizational learning, change management, strategic direction, culture change, product

Daniel Kjellsson

Director-General

Company:

Future Talent Council

Visit:

https://futuretalentcouncil.org

Future Talent Council

Leader of Future Talent Council; a global think tank of ministers of

Donald Knight

Group SVP, People & Culture

Company:

Warner Bros. Discovery

Dynamic HR leader with a strong commercial focus, consistently delivering financial results,

Susan LaMonica

Chief Human Resources Officer

Company:

Citizens

Visit:

https://www.citizensbank.com/about-us/our-company/leadership-team/susan-lamonica.aspx

Citizens Financial Group

Nickle LaMoreaux

Chief Human Resources Officer

Company:

IBM

Visit:

https://newsroom.ibm.com/Nickle-LaMoreaux

IBM

Global HR exec leading people strategy, skills, employee experience and services for

George LaRocque

Founder and Chief Analyst

Company:

WorkTech

Visit:

https://larocqueinc.com/

WorkTech

More than 25 years in HR tech, as a leader, tech exec,

Madeline Laurano

Founder

Company:

Aptitude Research

Visit:

https://www.aptituderesearch.com/about-aptitude-research/

Aptitude Research

Author, speaker, analyst focusing on talent acquisition, engagement and how HR tech

Hung Lee

Curator

Company:

Recruiting Brainfood

Visit:

https://www.recruitingbrainfood.com/

Recruiting Brainfood

Lee is the editor of leading industry newsletter Recruiting Brainfood.

Anita Lettink

Partner

Company:

HRTechRadar

Visit:

https://anitalettink.com

HRtechradar

Lettink is a leading expert on the Future of Work and the

Melanie Lougee

VP, Product Vision and Experience

Company:

Workday

HCM product strategist, practitioner, thought leader and former industry analyst. Innovates to

Sandra Loughlin

Chief Learning Scientist

Company:

EPAM

Learning scientist and organization change expert. As Head of the Client Learning

Stephanie Manzelli

Chief Human Resources Officer

Company:

Employ

Accomplished HR executive with expertise in strategy, engagement and transformation, aligning employee

Rebecca McKenna

Senior Vice President, Brand and Innovation

Company:

HR Executive

Visit:

http://hrexecutive.com/

HR Executive

Executive helping innovate and lead the largest HR technology events across the

Emily Rose McRae

Analyst, Future of Work and Workforce Transformation

Company:

Gartner

Visit:

Gartner

Advises CHROs and other C-suite executives on the future of work and

Anna Mindelöf

Chief People Officer

Company:

Fiskars Group

Specializes in talent management and organizational design. She’s known for forward-thinking HR

Jennifer Morgan

CEO

Company:

UKG

Visit:

https://www.ukg.com/about-us/ukg-leadership/jennifer-morgan

UKG

CEO of UKG, formerly co-CEO of SAP. She’s recognized for leadership in

Eric Mosley

Founder and CEO

Company:

Workhuman

Visit:

https://www.workhuman.com/company/leadership/eric-mosley/

Workhuman

HR visionary, author, and the force behind the recognition-in-the-workplace movement. He is

Holger Mueller

Vice President and Principal Analyst

Company:

Constellation Research Inc.

Visit:

https://www.constellationr.com/users/holger-mueller

Constellation Research Inc.

Principal analyst covering next generation apps and the future of work.

Kevin Oakes

CEO and Founder

Company:

Institute for Corporate Productivity

Visit:

https://www.i4cp.com/people/kevin-oakes

Institute for Corporate Productivity

CEO, author, HCM and culture thought leader.

Thomas Otter

Venture Capitalist

Company:

Acadian Ventures

Visit:

https://www.acadianventures.com/partners/thomas-otter

Acadian Ventures

Venture Capital investor in early-stage future of work companies, deep product management

Joey Price

CEO; Executive analyst

Company:

Jumpstar HR

Visit:

https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Jumpstart HR; Aspect 43

CEO of Jumpstart HR, Executive Analyst at Aspect43, author of The Power

Uzair Qadeer

Chief people officer

Company:

BBC

Visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/uzairqadeer/

BBC

Has excelled in various roles by focusing on employee engagement and diversity

Chad Richison

CEO

Company:

Paycom

Visit:

https://investors.paycom.com/corporate-governance/management/

Paycom

Founder and CEO of Paycom, led the company to global success and

Richard Rosenow

Vice President, People Analytics Strategy

Company:

One Model

Visit:

https://www.onemodel.co/about

One Model

Expert in people analytics; designs and implements innovative solutions.

Noelle Russell

CEO and Founder

Company:

AI Leadership Institute

Visit:

https://noellerussell.ai/

AI Leadership Institute

Founder of the AI Leadership Institute, advocates for responsible AI and diversity

Walter Sabrin

Chief Talent Officer

Company:

Vensure Employer Solutions

Leads the internal and external recruiting efforts across the Global organization. His

Tim Sackett

President

Company:

HRU Technical Resources

Visit:

https://timsackett.com/

HRU Technical Resources

Global HR influencer, recruiting executive, author, world's foremost expert—pre-pandemic—on workplace hugging.

Nicole Sahin

Founder, CEO and Chair

Company:

G-P

Visit:

https://www.globalization-partners.com/about-us/#gref

G-P

Sahin is the Founder, CEO and Executive Chair of G-P (Globalization Partners),

Siobhan Savage

CEO and co-founder

Company:

Reejig

Visit:

https://www.reejig.com/meet-the-team

Reejig

CEO and co-founder of Reejig, a work intelligence platform that helps enterprises

Yolanda Seals-Coffield

U.S. Chief People and Inclusion Officer

Company:

PwC

Visit:

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/contacts/y/yolanda-seals-coffield.html

PwC

Helps provide strategic leadership to align people strategy and function with growth

Nathan Shapiro

Head of Product & Platform Innovation

Paychex

Shapes and evolves Paychex’s HCM technologies to meet market demands for usability,

Vinay Singh

Co-Founder

Company:

Fidere.ai

Visit:

https://fidere.ai/about-us.html

Fidere.ai

Singh helps companies create transformative employee development and retention pathways through data

Brian Sommer

Founder and President

Company:

TechVentive Inc.

Visit:

https://muckrack.com/brian-sommer/articles

TechVentive Inc.

Award-winning HR and ERP industry analyst. He’s also a valued resource to

Keith Sonderling

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor

Company:

U.S. Department of Labor

Visit:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/osec/keith-sonderling

U.S. Department of Labor

Currently serves as the United States Deputy Secretary of Labor. From 2020-24,

Trisha Steed

Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer

Company:

H3 HR Advisors Inc.

Visit:

https://www.h3hr.com/leadership-team/

H3 HR Advisors Inc.

HR technology analyst, consultant, speaker, writer, blogger and podcaster.

Mark Stelzner

Founder and Managing Principal

Company:

Visit:

https://ia-hr.com/who-we-are/mark-stelzner/

With 30+ years of experience, leads the Global 1000 advisory firm IA

Betsy Summers

Principal Analyst

Company:

Forrester

Visit:

https://www.forrester.com/analyst-bio/betsy-summers/BIO16384

Forrester

Specializes in talent management strategies and technology. She is known for her

Johannes Sundlo

People Director

Company:

Avalanche Studios Group

Visit:

https://fullstackhr.io

Avalanche Studios Group

People Director at Avalanche Studios Group and thought leader at FullstackHR, specializes

Anna Tavis

Department Chair, Human Capital Management

Company:

New York University

Visit:

https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/faculty-directory/13205-anna-a-tavis.html

New York University

Thought leader and editor of major human resources publications, as well as

William Tincup

Co-founder and Venture Partner

Company:

WRKdefined

Tincup has studied all aspects of HR & TA (recruiting) for 20+

Bonnie Tinder

Founder and CEO

Company:

Raven Intelligence

Visit:

https://ravenintel.com/bonnietinder/

Raven Intelligence

HR technology expert and founder, passionate about elevating enterprise software decisions. Advocate

Katy Tynan

Vice President, Principal Analyst

Company:

Forrester

Visit:

https://www.forrester.com/bio/katy-tynan?id=BIO15125

Forrester

Analyst, author and researcher; uses science-based approach for employee experience.

David Ulrich

Speaker, Author, Professor, Thought Leader on Human Capability

Company:

University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Visit:

https://www.rbl.net/about-us/consultants/dave-ulrich

University of Michigan Ross School of Business

Ranked as the #1 management guru by Business Week, profiled by Fast

Wendy van Ierschot

Founder, CEO

Company:

VIE People

Visit:

https://www.viepeople.com/

VIE People

Entrepreneur, tech investor, best-selling author and founder of VIE People, a people

Bo Vialle-Derksen

HR and Workforce Strategy Advisor

Company:

SyngularEdge

Visit:

https://www.syngularedge.com/

SyngularEdge

Rapidly emerging as a leading global voice in HR and workforce strategy.

Jennifer Weber

CHRO

Company:

ADM

Visit:

https://www.adm.com/en-us/about-adm/our-company/leadership/jennifer-weber/

ADM

Weber is CHRO at ADM. She was formerly CHRO of Lowes Companies,

Rebecca Wettemann

CEO and Principal Analyst

Company:

Valoir

Visit:

https://valoir.com/about-margot

Valoir

Researcher, author and speaker.

Kevin Wheeler

Founder and President

Company:

Global Learning Resources, Inc.

Visit:

https://glresources.com/about/

Global Learning Resources, Inc.

The Future of Talent Institute

Wheeler is a futurist and he researches the future of work, talent

Sarah White

SVP, Head of Innovation and Transformation

Company:

SAP SuccessFactors

Leads product strategy, market insights, and workplace research teams to shape the

Ryan Wong

CEO and Co-Founder

Company:

Visier

Visit:

https://www.visier.com/company/leadership/

Visier

A pioneer in the business intelligence industry and enterprise software, has led

Ronni Zehavi

CEO and Co-Founder

Company:

HiBob

Visit:

https://www.hibob.com/about/

HiBob

Has over 25 years of experience in multi-national, hi-tech companies. Was also

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Meet the 2025 Top 100 HR Tech Influencers