2021 Top 100 HR Tech Influencers

Meet this year’s Top 100 HR Tech Influencers.

HRE’s third annual Top 100 HR Tech Influencers span a wide range of fields. These leaders are analytics and AI experts; futurists and investors; analysts and consultants; recruiting, talent management and DEI experts; HR practitioners; product leaders and innovators; experts across payroll, wellbeing and benefits; and other business leaders and HR experts. What they share is exceptional expertise, deep knowledge, bold ideas and broad influence in HR and, especially, the HR technology industry.

They all consistently make an impact online and off with their work in HR technology—from writing and research to speaking, developing and innovating products, transforming HR departments, starting crucial conversations in the HR tech marketplace and more. They’re all helping organizations solve HR pain points by delivering tools, implementing strategy, making connections and sharing knowledge. Each Influencer also has been vetted by a group of peers, led by editors at Human Resource Executive® and organizers of the HR Technology Conference & Exposition, and has been recognized for his or her leadership and contributions to the industry.

 

Tech PR expert, business strategist and speaker

Jeanne Achille Founder and CEO; Chair The Devon Group; Women in HR Tech Summit and Spring HR Tech

Thought leader, speaker, and advisor on talent strategy, people analytics, workforce planning, business transformation and organizational culture

Al Adamsen CEO & Executive Director PAFOW / Insight222

HR leader focused on culture, employee experience, HCM strategy

Dominic Agostino Global HR Leader People and Culture IBM Global Finance

CEO and Chairman of the Board at the HCM and workforce management company created when Kronos and Ultimate Software merged in 2020.

Aron Ain CEO UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)

Thought leader in HR service delivery, highlighting trends and strategic initiatives in businesses’ transition to the cloud

Gretchen Alarcon Vice President and General Manager of HR Service Delivery ServiceNow

Speaker, thought leader and visionary on HCM trends, hot topics and global strategies

Cecile Alper-Leroux Vice President of Product & Innovation UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group)

Speaker, author, analyst, thought leader and consultant in the area of HR, the future of work and the impact technology have on the future

Jason Averbook Co-founder and CEO Leapgen

Speaker, change agent, startup advisor and TEDxhost with passion for leading business transformation with innovation

Meg Bear SVP of Products, Engineering and Operations SAP SuccessFactors

Business leader dedicated to leading the mission to elevate performance through immersive experience

Derek Belch Founder and CEO STRIVR

Senior HR leader and strategy expert

Katarina Berg CHRO, Strategy Operations, Global Workplace Services Spotify

Analyst, author, educator, speaker and thought leader focusing on the global talent market and the challenges and trends impacting business workforces around the world

Josh Bersin Global Industry Analyst and Dean Josh Bersin Academy

Thought leader, speaker and business executive in HCM, recruiting and culture

Juan Luis Betancourt CEO Humantelligence

Technology editor and writer; speaker and podcaster

Steve Boese Co-founder; Chair H3 HR Advisors Inc.; HR Technology Conference & Exposition

Author, consultant, professor and research director

John Boudreau Professor Emeritus of Management and Organization, Senior Research Scientist Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California

National leader in diversity, equity and inclusion; strategy expert in talent acquisition and employer attractiveness

Erika Broadwater National President; Employer Attractiveness and Talent Acquisition Leader National Association of African Americans in HR; Essity

HR tech startup founder of an enterprise employee coaching platform; former SVP of HR

Ben Brooks Founder and CEO Pilot Inc.

Speaker, author and industry thought leader

Mimi Brooks CEO Logical Design Solutions

New York Times bestselling author, global researcher, thought leader and expert on talent

Marcus Buckingham Head of Research, People and Performance ADP Research Institute

HCM technology leader, HR tech advisor, founder, investor and former analyst

Yvette Cameron Senior Vice President, Global HCM Product Strategy Oracle

Talent acquisition leader who is passionate about innovation, transformation and tech

Kelly Cartwright Head of Talent Acquisition Technology Strategy Amazon Web Services

Expert in HR technology and transformation

Jason Cerrato Senior Director, Research Analyst Gartner

Product expert passionate about innovation and user experience design

Potoula Chresomales SVP Product Management Skillsoft

DEI strategist, podcaster, speaker

Jackye Clayton DEI Strategist SeekOut

HR and talent-trends analyst, research-based insights and reports, international speaker and author

Mervyn Dinnen Analyst Two Heads Consulting

Strategist and thought leader

Amy Dufrane CEO HRCI

VP of HR, blogger and writer

Kris Dunn Chief Human Resources Officer Kinetix

Tech executive, innovator and leader

Debasis Dutta VP & GM Product Management Sumtotal Systems

Diversity and HCM strategist and podcaster

Torin Ellis Principal The Torin Ellis Brand

Talent strategist, business leader and thought leader

Mary Faulkner Principal IA-HR

HR leader in strategy and talent

Carmen Fernandez Chief People Officer and SVP Marsh & McLennan Companies

People analytics expert, strategist in organizational transformation, organizational culture, leadership assessment and applying advanced analytical methods to human capital problems.

Alexis Fink Vice President, People Analytics and Workforce Strategy Facebook

Tech leader, researcher, patent-holder and author

Ashutosh Garg CEO and Founder eightfold.ai

Researcher and thought leader on talent management, leadership, D&I, people analytics, and HR technology, speaker and writer

Stacia Garr Co-founder and Principal Analyst RedThread Research

Thought leader and IT expert with expertise in HCM, innovation

Mike Gioja SVP, IT and Product Development Paychex

Analyst, speaker, author and former HR leader

Steve Goldberg Vice President and Research Director, HCM Ventana Research

Author, speaker, consultant, podcaster, one of the world’s 10 most influential management thinkers

Adam Grant Professor of Psychology The Wharton School, The University of Pennsylvania

Author, speaker, podcast host and executive consultant on people analytics, data-driven HR and the future of work

David Green Managing Partner and Executive Director Insight222

Analyst whose areas of coverage span the HCM application market

Ron Hanscome Research Vice President Gartner

Researcher and analyst

Stacey Harris Chief Research Officer, Managing Partner Sapient Insights Group

Senior leader in talent strategy and HR

Zoë Harte Chief People Officer Upwork

Global HR executive leading the way in RPA for HR

Nancy Hauge CHRO Automation Anywhere

Researcher, consultant and advisor on talent strategy, technology, and leadership

Chris Havrilla Vice President of HR Technology and Solution Provider Research Deloitte Consulting

Thought leader on digital transformation, engagement marketing, talent management and authentic leadership

Emily He Senior Vice President of Human Capital Management, Cloud Business Group Oracle

Strategist, coach, HCM and talent leader

Siona Henderson People Partner Google

Executive VP focused on transforming culture

Kathleen Hogan Chief People Officer Microsoft

Consultant passionate about helping customers maximize enterprise app investments

Jim Holincheck VP of Advisory Services LeapGen

Innovative senior leader overseeing HR, corporate marketing and communications, enterprise change and agility, workplace solutions, D&I, and safety and security

Tim Huval Chief Administrative Officer Humana

Entrepreneur, innovator, investor

Ilonka Jankovich Venture capitalist/Founder Randstad Innovation Fund/Taptrove Ventures

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

Ravin Jesuthasan Senior Partner and Global Leader for Transformation Services Mercer

People analytics expert leading with creativity

Dawn Klinghoffer Head of People Analytics Microsoft

Speaker, blogger, HR leader

Jennifer Kraszewski Vice President of Human Resources Paycom

Analyst, writer, strategic leader specializing in the lines of business that support CHROs and their leadership teams

Brian Kropp Chief of Research and Distinguished Vice President Gartner

Technology strategist and thought leader

Michael Krupa Chief Technology Officer, Inclusive Futures Technology Strategy Cisco

Global HR exec leading people strategy, skills, employee experience and services for 350,000+ employees across 170 countries

Nickle LaMoreaux CHRO IBM

Author, speaker, analyst focusing on talent acquisition, engagement and how HR tech can help improve efficiencies and experience

Madeline Laurano Founder Aptitude Research

Keynote speaker, author, management innovator, and employee-engagement and performance-management expert

Jason Lauritsen Keynote speaker, author and consultant

HR executive leading in HR and talent acquisition tech

Jessica Lee Vice President-Global Performance & Talent Advisory Marriott International

Strategic leader in enterprise software applications

Chris Leone SVP and GM Oracle Human Capital Management Cloud Oracle

HCM product strategist, practitioner, thought leader and former industry analyst

Melanie Lougee Head of Strategy for Employee Workflows ServiceNow

Analyst, expert in people analytics and using data to drive diversity

Lexy Martin Principal, Research and Customer Value Visier

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

Trish McFarlane CEO and Principal Analyst H3 HR Advisors Inc.

Strategist in workforce management and HCM

Barbry McGann Executive Director, Office of CHRO Solution Marketing Workday

Executive leading the largest HR technology events across the globe

Rebecca McKenna Vice President of Global Events and HRE‘s Publisher LRP Publications

Keynote speaker, author, workplace visionary and activist

Jeanne Meister Founding Partner Future Workplace

Global executive with expertise in growth, transformation and employee engagement

Donna Morris EVP, Chief People Officer Walmart

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

Holger Mueller Vice President and Principal Analyst Constellation Research Inc.

Innovative and strategic global HR executive with focus on digital and culture transformation

Tina Kao Mylon SVP, Talent and Diversity Schneider Electric

Progressive global HR leader

Leena Nair CHRO Unilever

CEO, author, HCM and culture thought leader

Kevin Oakes CEO and Founder Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp)

HR leader and thought leader

Christy Pambianchi Executive Vice President and CHRO Verizon

Product leader and employee experience expert

Seth Patton GM, Microsoft 365 & Microsoft Viva Product Marketing Microsoft

Consultant, social media influencer, podcast host, small business HR expert and blogger

Joey Price CEO Jumpstart: HR

DEI advocate and founder of a technology startup that takes a holistic approach to solving DEI challenges

Mandy Price CEO and Co-founder Kanarys

Writer, speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster

Laurie Ruettimann Speaker Punk Rock HR

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

Tim Sackett President HRU Technical Resources

Senior executive responsible for leading Accenture's talent and organization practice, writer and speaker

Eva Sage-Gavin Senior Managing Director, Global Talent and Organization/Human Potential Accenture

Leading strategy and direction for HCM, financial management, planning, analytics and related products

Pete Schlampp EVP, Product Development Workday

Business technology leader

Jonathan Sears Principal, Americas Technology and Solutions Leader, People Advisory Services Ernst & Young LLP

Thought leader, business innovator

Jon Shanahan President and CEO Businessolver

Executive leading a team in re-imagining leadership and talent practices to create the most truly human work environment in the digital age

Ellyn Shook Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer Accenture

Global leader in dual roles leading cross-brand collaboration on operational execution, people capability and customer experience

Tracy Skeans COO, Chief People Officer Yum! Brands

Software executive who leads teams to deliver enterprise products aligned with business objectives

Al Smith Chief Technology Officer iCIMS

Author, speaker, strategic leader in HCM, people analytics

Tyrone Smith Jr. Global Director, Head of People Analytics & Insights Udemy

Consulting executive, adviser, author and keynote speaker

Brian Sommer Founder and President TechVentive Inc.

Research analyst focusing on HR technology and solution providers

Erin Spencer Senior Research Analyst Deloitte Consulting

Global speaker, innovator, strategist

Heidi Spirgi Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Cornerstone

Global HR technology leader, writer and speaker

Dan Staley Principal PwC

Expert in HR transformation, sought-after voice in the industry

Mark Stelzner Founder and Managing Principal IA

Expert in HR technology product development, talent acquisition/management strategic planning, talent assessment development and validation

Jill Strange Director Talent Development Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc.

Analyst, researcher, adviser, speaker, author and podcaster

John Sumser Founder, Principal Author and Editor-in-Chief HRExaminer

Analyst, author and researcher

Katy Tynan Principal Analyst Forrester Research

Analyst, speaker, writer and HCM thought leader

Erica Volini Global Human Capital Leader Deloitte Consulting

Senior HR and talent leader, formerly with ServiceNow and LinkedIn

Pat Wadors Chief People Officer Procore

Analyst, author, blogger, keynote speaker and futurist

R "Ray" Wang Principal Analyst, Founder and Chairman Constellation Research

Senior executive responsible for all aspects of ADP's global technology strategy and delivery.

Don Weinstein Corporate Vice President, Global Product & Technology ADP

Researcher, author and speaker

Rebecca Wettemann CEO and Principal Valoir

HR technology industry analyst, advisor and advocate focused on improving the impact of technology on people, business and the future of work

Sarah White Founder and CEO Aspect 43

Innovative HR tech expert with deep industry knowledge

Amy Wilson SVP, Product & Design SAP SuccessFactors

Innovative global HR leader focused on driving solutions and engaging teams

Sean Woodroffe Senior Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer TIAA

Speaker, founder, talent-acquisition consultant, recruiter training expert

Stacy Donovan Zapar Founder Tenfold | The Talent Agency