Leading HR Influencers

Engagedly's 2025 Top 100 HR Influencers

Human Resources is a growing field that is beginning to expand and inspire change across various companies and job types. Engagedly is excited to announce its eight annual list of Top 100 HR Influencers.

2025 Engagedly Top 100 Hr Influencer

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

Methodology

In order to generate this list, we considered around 500 different professionals within the various sectors of HR. Individuals were selected through a data-driven process that analyzed and scored success in five defining categories. Scores were based on an individuals’ recency, frequency, and relevance in relation to their social media presences, speaking and writing engagements, and innovative contributions to the field. Diversity of the individual was also taken into account so as to ensure that people of all backgrounds were included in the list.

Points to consider

We want to emphasize that this list is not in ranking form. Individuals have been grouped based on the type of work that they have most notably been involved with. These categories are in no way intended to minimize the entirety of these influencers’ careers. HR is an industry that is growing in all directions, and it is difficult to perfectly formulate a process that will recognize all HR professionals that are doing credible work. If you know someone who you think should be featured for next year, please nominate them through our website, as we do consider the names that are received there.

AI in HR & Workforce Automation

Influencers in this category are shaping the future of work by leveraging AI and automation to streamline HR processes, enhance decision-making, and create intelligent, people-centric workplaces.

EVP and Chief People Officer

Amy Cappellanti-Wolf

Dayforce

HR Tech Advisor

Coreyne Woodman-Holoubek

Progressive HR

Founder, Scholar & Global AI Advisor

Frida Polli

Alethia AI

HR Leader

Hollie Castro

Groupe Dynamite

CEO & CHRO

Jason Walker

Thrive HR Consulting

CEO

Jocelyn King

VirgilHR

Co-Founder & CBDO

Laura Close

Included ai

Global Industry Analyst

John Bersion

The Josh Bersin Company

Human-AI Collaboration Strategist

Julie Develin

UKG

SVP & HR Technologist

Glen Cathey

Randstand

Founder & CEO

Kyle Samuels

Creative Talent Endeavors

AI & People Analytics Leader

Stela Lupushor

Reframe.Work Inc.

Transformation Leader & Lecturer

Ravin Jesuthasan

The Fast Future Executive

Employee Experience & Wellbeing

Leaders in this category stand out for championing employee engagement, wellness, and holistic workplace experiences that prioritize both productivity and human connection.

Founder and CEO

Arianna Huffington

Thrive Global

Founder & People Scientist

Craig Forman

CultureC Consulting

AVP of Talent, Culture and Engagement

Cruz Imelda Wicks

The University of Texas at Arlington

Global Leader & Founder

Garry Ridge

The Learning Moment

Author & Psychologist

Gethin Nadin

Benifex

Founding Partner

Katelin Holloway

776

Speaker & Author

Kristen Hadeed

@Kristen Hadeed

Co-Founder and CHRO

Laszlo Bock

University of California, Berkeley

Researcher & Founder

Marcus Buckingham

Design Love In

Human Workplace Advocate

Liz Ryan

Human Workplace

Employer Brand & DEI

This category highlights changemakers who drive employer branding excellence and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the core of organizational culture and talent strategy.

Chief Encouragement Officer

Antoinetta Mosley

I Follow the Leader

Award Winning Leadership & Empowerment Expert.

Ashley T Brundage

Empowering Differences

 DEI and Ethics Practitioner

Bärí A. Williams

LegalOn Technologies

Diversity & Talent Leader

DK Bartley

Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Accomplished TA and DEI Leader

Erika Broadwater

BNP Paribas

Employer Brand Leader

Charlotte Marshall

Intuitive

VP Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Jyl Feliciano

Highspot

Vice-President of Googler Engagement

Melonie Parker

Google

CEO & Inclusion & Leadership Strategist

Netta Jenkins

Aerodei

Chief People Officer

Priti Patel

G2

HR Tech & Innovation

Influencers here are recognized for pioneering next-generation HR technologies and innovative solutions that modernize people practices and transform how organizations manage talent.

Workforce Strategist & Transformational Leader

Chad Sowash

The Chad & Cheese Podcast

 SVP and GM, Employee Workflows Products

Gretchen Alarcon

ServiceNow

HR Tech Strategist

Jason Averbook

Mercer

HR Tech Industry Leader

Jeanne Achille

The Devon Group

CEO & HR Technology Strategist

Lisa Turner

LRT Associates LLC

CEO

Lou Adler

Performance-based Hiring Learning Systems

AVP - People & Culture

Monika Parashar

FarEye

Director of Insights and Innovation

Robin Schooling

Humareso

President & Co-Founder

Steve Boese

H3 HR Advisors

Global Leader of Talent

Tara Hsu

Marvell Technology

HCM Analyst & Workplace Strateist

Trish McFarlane Steed

H3 HR Advisors

HR Tech Analyst

William Tincup

WRKdefined

Leadership Development

This category celebrates thought leaders dedicated to building strong, adaptable leaders through mentoring, coaching, and innovative leadership programs.

Organizational Psychologist

Adam Grant

The Wharton School

Professor of Leadership and Management

Amy Edmondson

Harvard Business School

Professor

Angela Duckworth

University of Pennsylvania

CEO & Leadership Consultant

Gordon Tredgold

WestRock Company

CEO & Leadership Futurist

Jacob Morgan

Future Of Work Leaders

Chief Transformation Officer

Jimmy Parker

Peaq

Talent & Leadership Advisor

Liz Wiseman

The Wiseman Group

Leadership Coach

Michael Bungay Stanier

Change Signal

Leadership Visionary & Culture Strategist.

Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek's The Optimism Company

Future of Work Advocate

Tanvi Mittal

VLink Inc

Organizational Development

Influencers in this category play a key role in designing organizational strategies, structures, and systems that strengthen culture and enable long-term business success.

Leadership Researcher

Brené Brown

The University of Texas at Austin

Global Chief People Officer and Safety

Caroline Carpenedo

Suzano

Executive Coach, Workplace Culture Consultant

Catherine Mattice

Civility Partners, Inc

Culture and Teamwork Strategist

Erica Dhawan

Cotential

Leadership & Culture Expert

Frances Frei

Harvard Business School

Corporate VP Workforce Transformation

Katy George

Microsoft

Talent Transformation Analyst

Kyle Lagunas

Kyle & Co

Principal & Organizational Coaching Leader

Tasha Eurich

The Eurich Group

Agile HR Pioneer

Riina Hellström

Agile HR Community

Productivity, Performance & Workplace Culture Expert

Stoyan Yankov

Stoyan Consult ApS

Talent Development Expert

Whitney Johnson

Disruption Advisors

People Analytics & Workforce Strategy

This category recognizes experts who apply data-driven insights to optimize workforce planning, predict trends, and inform smarter people strategies.

Future of Work Strategist

Al Adamsen

Future of Work Advisors

HR Tech Analyst

Ben Eubanks

Lighthouse Research & Advisory

People Analytics Leader

David Green

Insight222

Future of Work Expert

Erica Keswin

@Erica Keswin

People Data Enthusiast

Heather Whiteman

University of Washington

People Analytics Educator

Javier Calzolari

RecursosHumanos.com

Chief Economist

Karin Kimbrough

LinkedIn

Future of Work Entrepreneur

Kathryn Minshew

Plotting Mischief

People Analytics Scientist

Keith McNulty

McKinsey & Company

Mindset & Performance Coach

Mel Robbins

143 Studios, Inc.

Director Organizational Research and Insights

Michael M. Moon

AbbVie

AI & People Analytics Expert

Serena H. Huang

Data With Serena

People Analytics Leader

Stephanie Murphy, Ph.D.

UnitedHealth Group

Talent Acquisition

Influencers in this category are recognized for being outstanding leaders within the recruitment sector who promote innovative and inclusive acquisition methods.

 Director of Employee Experience

Celinda Appleby

Visa

Recruitment Guru

Greg Savage

Savage Recruitment Academy

Recruitment & Career Coach

Margaret Buj

Mixmax

CEO & Talent Attraction Strategist

Jörgen Sundberg

Link Humans

Author of Reboot Hiring and The Robot-Proof Recruiter, Speaker and Facilitator

Katrina Collier

Katrina Collier Limited

Recruitment Strategist

Katrina Kibben

Three Ears Media

Founder & Talent & HR Visionary

Meghan M. Biro

TalentCulture

Group Human Resources Director

Sam Neo

Park Hotel Group

Executive Recruiter & Founder

Stacy Zapar

The Talent Agency

Talent Acquisition Leader

Tim Sackett

Apriora

Talent Acquisition & Recruiting Influencer

Hung Lee

Recruiting Brainfood

Talent Management

Leaders in this category are redefining how organizations develop, retain, and engage employees, ensuring talent is aligned with business goals and growth.

Director, HRBP

Andrew Lee

Raytheon

People Strategy Scholar

Anna A. Tavis

New York University

Human Resources Director

Atulaya Goswami

General Mills

Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX (Chief People Officer/CHRO)

Claude Silver

VaynerX

Gen Z Work Futurist

Danielle Farage

Danielle Farage LLC

CEO & Hiring Strategist

Jonathan D. Reynolds

Titus Talent Strategies

Remote Work & People Ops Strategist

Kaleem Clarkson

Blend Me, Inc

CHRO / HR & TA Influencer

Kris Dunn

Marriott International

Talent Hacker & Advisor

Steve Cadigan

Cadigan Talent Ventures

Principal

Melissa Daimler

Daimler Partners