When workplaces change rapidly, the need for HR leaders who can forge clear and innovative paths into the future of work—without forgetting empathy for employees—increases exponentially.

This year, political change and economic uncertainty are increasing the complexity for HR leaders as they work to capture the rapidly evolving opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and related emerging technologies.

Luckily for the function, many up-and-coming leaders are bringing remarkable creativity, collaboration, technology skills and humanity to their organizations. Today, HR Executive is announcing five such leaders who have been named HR’s Rising Stars for 2025.

Meet HR’s Rising Stars

The winners are:

• Prerna Ajmera, general manager, HR digital strategy and innovation at Microsoft;
• Drew Howell, global HR leader at World Wide Fulfillment by Amazon and North America Selling Business Programs;
• Mai Lan Nguyen, senior vice president of HR, North America, at Schneider Electric;
• Gabrielle Rodman, global senior talent projects and programs lead at Dell Technologies; and
• Sarah Tilley,  senior vice president of global talent management and acquisition at ServiceNow.

Now in its 20th year, the competition recognizes rising HR leaders who have demonstrated leadership excellence, an ability to innovate and a proven record of driving HR success through effective strategy and program development.

A panel of four expert judges selected the winners: Xan Daniels, vice president of inclusion, diversity and employee engagement, at Alight Solutions and a 2024 HR’s Rising Star; Dayana Falcon, senior manager, HR Marketing & Engagement, at The Walt Disney Co. and a 2024 HR’s Rising Star; Gregory Hessel, managing director, global HR practice, at Korn Ferry; Heather Vogel, chief talent officer at Children’s Home Society of Florida and a 2023 inductee into HR Executive′s HR Honor Roll.

‘Innovative, strategic and people-focused’

In comments about why they chose the winners, more than one noted the important ways they’re “shaping the future of work” at their respective organizations, as judge Heather Vogel, chief talent officer at Children’s Home Society of Florida, put it, referencing Howell and his work at Amazon.

From the online giant to Dell, Microsoft, Schneider Electric and ServiceNow, these leaders are impacting millions of employees with their work—and as their stars continue to rise, they are likely to have an even greater impact.

All five will be honored during the inaugural HR Icons Awards Evening, taking place Sept. 15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas as part of the HR Tech conference.

“The Rising Stars winners this year showcase the future of HR,” says Katherine Childress, vice president, HR community: Media & Events for Arc network, which owns HR Executive. “They are innovative, strategic and people-focused as they build the future of work for us all.

“We look forward to seeing how they will continue to advance their respective organizations and the HR profession as a whole in the coming years.”