Top 100 human resources influencers of 2020

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

Methodology

In order to generate this list, we considered around 300+ 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’ regency, 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.
Learn more about the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020 by hovering over their pictures and exploring their LinkedIn, Twitter, and personal and/or company websites.

Diversity & Inclusion

Influencers in this category are recognized for their outstanding analytical and strategic methods and ideas that have helped to improve some factor or factors of the operations within HR.

JENNIFER BROWN

FOUNDER AND CEO OF JENNIFER BROWN CONSULTING

Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Speaker, Author

KRISTEN PRESSNER

PEOPLE AND CULTURE CHAPTER LEAD AT ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS

People and Culture Chapter Lead at Roche Diagnostics, Speaker.

RISHA GRANT

FOUNDER AND CEO OF RISHAGRANT LLC.

International Keynote Speaker. Author

HARALAN HODGE

PERFORMANCE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COACH, CO-FACILITATOR OF YOUTH LEADERSHIP.

Performance and Professional Development Coach, Co-facilitator of youth leadership.

DAN LESTER

DIRECTOR OF FIELD DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND CULTURE AT CLAYCO

Director of Field Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture at Clayco

NICCI ROACH

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY.

Assistant to the President at Saint Louis University.

DR. BRYAN GINGRICH

SVP ENTERPRISE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LEADER AT WELLS FARGO.

SVP Enterprise Diversity and Inclusion Leader at Wells Fargo.

CYNTHIA BOWMA

CHIEF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND TALENT ACQUISITION OFFICER AT BANK OF AMERICA.

Chief Diversity and Inclusion and Talent Acquisition Officer at Bank of America.

HR Tech

Influencers in this category are recognized for their outstanding achievements in this rapidly growing sector of the HR industry.

TRISH MCFARLANE

CEO H3HR ADVISORS

Anaylst | HR Techie | Author HR Ringleader | Pro Speaker | Co-Host of HR Happy Hour

MEGHAN M. BIRO

CEO @TALENTCULTURE

JAMIE METZL

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Keynote Speaker, Writer, and Commentator on the Junction of Technology and Politics.

JEANNE ACHILLE

CONFERENCE CHAIR @HRTECH EXPERT

Women in HR Tech Summit @Annual #HRTechConf | #PR Pro | #Entrepreneur | #Diversity & #Inclusion #Speaker

YVETTE CAMERON

CO-FOUNDER AND EVP AT VELOCITY CAREER LABS

Co-Founder and EVP at Velocity Career Labs, HR tech Advisor.

ESTER MARTINEZ

FOUNDER, CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT PEOPLE MATTERS

2016 LinkedIn Top Voices List | HR Tech

KIERAN SNYDER

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER @TEXTIO

Data Driven Recruiting | Linguist | Writer | Previous Product Leadership Roles at Microsoft and Amazon

R “RAY” WANG

FOUNDER AND CEO OF CONSTELLATION RESEARCH.

Founder and CEO of Constellation Research. Best-Selling Author. Co-Host of DisrupTVShow Web Series.

MEG BEAR

SVP, PRODUCT, ENGINEERING, OPERATIONS AT SAP SUCCESSFACTORS

SVP, Product, Engineering, Operations at SAP SuccessFactors using Human Experience Management.

JOHN SUMSER

FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL ANALYST, AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT HREXAMINER

Online Magazine | Writer | HR Tech Researcher

BARRY FLACK

DIGITAL HR & RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS

HR Tech Advisor | Interim & Consulting Assignments | Conference Speaker | Blogger

JOSH BERSIN

CORPORATE TALENT

Learning Analyst | Founder of Bersin by Deloitte, Research and Advisory Firm focused on Management, Leadership, HR Tech | LinkedInfluencer

RAVIN JESUTHASAN

GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADER

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

BEN BROOKS

FOUNDER AND CEO OF PILOT INC.

Founder and CEO of PILOT Inc.

STEVE BOESE

HR TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE CO-CHAIR

Co-Host of the HR Happy Hour Show and Podcast | Contributor at Fistful of Talent | HR Executive Magazine columnist.

BILL KUTIK

HCM ANALYST, FATHER HR TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE, COLUMNIST.

HCM Analyst, Father HR Technology Conference, Columnist.

WILLIAM TINCUP

PRESIDENT @RECRUITINGDAILY

JOSH LINKNER

CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF PLAYTPUS LABS.

Co-Founder and Chairman of Playtpus Labs. Best-Selling Author. Keynote Speaker.

ENRIQUE RUBIO

FOUNDER AND CEO OF HACKING HR.

Founder and CEO of Hacking HR.

SOUMYASANTO SEN

ADVISOR PEOPLE & ORGANIZATION

HR Tech & People Analytics Leader | Evangelist Human+Machine & Future of Work | Keynote Speaker & Writer

ANNE FULTON

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF FUEL50.

Co-founder and CEO of Fuel50.

Analytics and Strategy

CARLA MOORE

VP OF POS STRATEGY AND EDUCATION AT HBO.

VP of POS Strategy and Education at HBO. Brand Management and Operations Expert.

MEL ROBBINS

HOST OF THE MEL ROBBINS SHOW.

Host of The Mel Robbins Show. CEO at 143 Studios, Inc. Motivational Speaker for Powell Speakers.

RITA MCGRATH

PROFESSOR OF STRATEGY AT COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL.

Professor of Strategy at Columbia Business School. Best-Selling Author. Speaker.

DAN PONTEFRACT

FOUNDER AND CEO OF THE PONTEFRACT GROUP.

Founder and CEO of The Pontefract Group. Best-Selling Author. Keynote Speaker. Leadership Strategist.

LAURIE RUETTIMANN

AUTHOR AT HENRY HOLT & COMPANY.

Author at Henry Holt & Company. Host of Podcast “Let’s Fix Work.”

CRYSTAL MILLER LAY

CEO @BRANDEDSTRATEGY

JENNY DEVAUGHN

VP, TRANSFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS AT ADP

Leads Strategic Outreach to Inform and Engage over 50,000 Associates at this Global Human Capital Management Company

MAREN HOGAN

CHIEF MARKETING BRAIN OF @REDBRANCH MEDIA

Helping with recruiting, talent acquisition and HR, marketing, community and social | #TBEX #HRTech

ELIZEBETH VARGHESE

GLOBAL LEADER OF HR REINVENTION AT IBM

Global leader of HR Reinvention at IBM

SARAH BRENNAN

FOUNDER OF @ACCELIR

STEVE BROWNE

VICE PRESIDENT OF HR AT LAROSA’S, INC.

Strategic HR professional | Employee Relations | Networking | Company Culture

JT O’DONNELL

FOUNDER & CEO OF WORKITDAILY

Leadership & Development

Influencers in this category are recognized for their outstanding leadership skills that they teach and their achievements in executive advising, coaching, and consulting.

ADAM GRANT

ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST @WHARTON

Books: GIVE AND TAKE, ORIGINALS, OPTION B |Podcast: WorkLife | @TEDTalks | Success is helping others succeed.

JENNIFER MCCLURE

CEO OF @UNBRIDLEDTALENT & @DISRUPT_HR

Keynote Speaker | Podcaster | Creating #ImpactMakers by helping leaders to build careers that they love & lives that matter

PATRICK LENCIONI

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE TABLE GROUP.

Founder and President of The Table Group. Best-Selling Author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.”

GORDON TREDGOLD

INC TOP 100 LEADERSHIP EXPERT KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Inc Top 100 Leadership Expert Keynote Speaker | Business Coach and Consultant | Speaker | Author | Contributor at Forbes, Entrepreneur, & Inc.

LIANE DAVEY

CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL OF 3COZE INC.

Co-founder and Principal of 3COze Inc. Author and Speaker.

JANE HART

SPEAKER, WRITER, AND MODERN WORKPLACE ADVISOR.

Speaker, Writer, and Modern Workplace Advisor.

LIZ WISEMAN

PRESIDENT OF THE WISEMAN GROUP. BEST-SELLING AUTHOR.

President of The Wiseman Group. Best-Selling Author. Teaching Leadership Skills to Executives.

BRIGETTE HYACINTH

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER.

Best-Selling Author on Leadership

DR. TRAVIS BRADBERRY

PRESIDENT AT TALENTSMART.

President at TalentSmart. Best-Selling Co-Author of “Emotional Intelligence 2.0.”

CHESTER ELTON

TEACHER AND COACH ON CREATING POSITIVE WORK CULTURE.

Teacher and Coach on Creating Positive Work Culture. Author. Keynote Speaker.

LOLLY DASKAL

AUTHOR

BILL TREASURER

CHIEF ENCOURAGEMENT OFFICER AT GIANT LEAP CONSULTING

Chief Encouragement Officer at Giant Leap Consulting, Writer, and Speaker.

DAVE ULRICH

SPEAKER | AUTHOR | PROFESSOR

HR & Leadership Thought Partner | Co-Founder of @rblgroup | Rensis Likert Professor at @MichiganRoss.

Employer Brand/Talent Acquisition

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

JACKYE CLAYTON

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SUCCESS

Named Time’s Person of the Year 2006 | Success @HiringSolved@DrPepper | #Recruit-osphere | #HRTech Geek

DOROTHY DALTON

EXECUTIVE SEARCH AND RESEARCH

CEO @ 3Plus International | International Talent Connector & Strategist | Executive Search and Career Transition Coach | Coach | Conscious recruitment of diversity and bias

STEPHANIE LAMPKIN

FOUNDER AND CEO OF BLENDOOR.

Founder and CEO of Blendoor. Inclusive Talent Recruitment.

JOAN SIGU

HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCE AT SUNCULTURE KENYA LTD.

Joan Head Of Human Resource at SunCulture Kenya Ltd.

HUNG LEE

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF WORKSHAPE.IO.

Co-Founder and CEO of Workshape.io. Improving the Recruitment Process.

JIM STROUD

TRAINER | SPEAKER | AWARD-WINNING BLOGGER

Producer of the “It’s All Recruiting” Podcast | Youtuber of “Jim Stroud Show” | Consultant | Social Recruiting | Job Search Strategy

FRIDA POLLI

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER @ PYMETRICS

STACY ZAPAR

FOUNDER, TENFOLD & THE TALENT AGENCY

LOU ADLER

CEO OF ADLER GROUP

Performance-based Hiring Learning Systems | The Original Headhunter Author – The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired and Hire With Your Head | LinkedInfluencer

KRIS DUNN

CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, PARTER AT KINETIX.

Founder of HR Capitalist and Fistful of Talent. Contributing Editor at Workforce

MERVYN DINNEN

AUTHOR “EXCEPTIONAL TALENT”

HR & Talent Analyst | International Speaker on HR Trends | #7 #SageTop100 Global Business Influencers

SHALLY STECKERL

FOUNDER AT THE SOURCING INSTITUTE FOUNDATION A 501(C)(3)

Providing Talent Sourcing and Recruitment Scholarships | Building Enterprise Recruiting Engines for Fortune 500 Brands

BRYAN CHANEY

EMPLOYER BRAND

SUSAN S. LAMOTTE

FOUNDER, CEO, AND PRINCIPAL BRAND STRATEGIST OF EXAQUEO.

Founder, CEO, and Principal Brand Strategist of exaqueo. Improving Talent and Recruitment Strategies.

KATRINA COLLIER

AUTHOR: THE ROBOT-PROOF RECRUITER & FACILITATOR & SPEAKER AT THE SEARCHOLOGIST

Keynote Speaker and Author. Candidate Engagement and Recruitment Strategy.

Talent Management

Influencers in this category are recognized for their new ideas that have improved the employee experience and created positive company cultures.

MARCUS BUCKINGHAM

WORLD’S LEADING EXPERT ON TALENT

Best-Selling Author | “Nine Lies About Work” | Researcher | Founder of the Strengths Revolution | Researcher of People & Performance

ROBIN SCHOOLING

ADVOCATE OF WORKPLACE REVOLUTION.

Advocate of Workplace Revolution. Writer and Speaker. Co-Host of Podcast “DriveThru HR.”

BEVERLY KAYE

CEO AND FOUNDER OF BEVKAYE & CO.

CEO and Founder of BevKaye & Co. Author and Speaker on Talent Management.

ANNA TOLMACHOVA

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT DIGITAL CHAIN AGENCY

Director of Human Resources at Digital Chain Agency

MARY KAYLOR

CREATOR & PRODUCER OF #NEXTCHAT

Public Affair Lead at SHRM, SHRM Blog Managing Editor, Creator & Producer of #Nextchat

EVI PROKOPI

SUCCESS COACH & PROJECT LEADER AT SKEMA PROJECTS

Business & Life Coach, Consultant, Trainer and Author at Skema Projects.

AL ADAMSEN

CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT INSIGHT222.

Co-Founder and Executive Director at Insight222. Founder and CEO at People Analytics & Future of Work.

JONATHAN FERRAR

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF INSIGHT222.

Co-Founder and CEO of Insight222. Helping HR Professional’s Build Skills.

Organizational Development

Influencers in this category are recognized for their outstanding ideas and methods that have improved the ways in which companies are organized and their efficiency in operation.

KATTY KAY

NEWS ANCHOR AT BBC WORLD NEWS.

News Anchor at BBC World News. Best-Selling Co-Author of “Womenomics”

JEFFREY PFEFFER

PROFESSOR AT STANFORDBIZ

Author #LeadershipBS | Speaker | Advisor on Inclusive Employee Experience | LinkedInfluencer

CONOR NEILL

EO ENTREPRENEUR

Vistage Chair | Teacher at IESE Business School | Keynote Speaker on Leadership Communication & the Psychology of Mental Strength

LIZ WEBER

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP SPEAKER WITH WEBER BUSINESS SERVICES.

Strategic Leadership Speaker with Weber Business Services.

GARY WARE

FOUNDER OF BREAKTHROUGH PLAY,

Founder of Breakthrough Play, Speaker, and Profesional Coach.

JOHN BOUDREAU

PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Professor Emeritus of Management and Organization at the University of Southern California

SHARLYN LAUBY

AUTHOR @HRBARTENDER & @UNRETIREMENTPRO

Human Resources management/leadership consultant | Speaker

JEN BENZ

FOUNDER AND COMMUNICATIONS LEADER AT SEGAL BENZ.

Jen Founder and Communications Leader at Segal Benz.

JEREMY SCRIVENS

APPRECIATE FUTURIST

Positively disrupting organisations to #collaborate at scale in the Social & Summit Rooms | Digital Transformation | People First

JASON AVERBOOK

CEO & CO-FOUNDER OF LEAPGEN

JEFF HARRY

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY PLAY COACH.

International Speaker and Positive Psychology Play Coach.

PERRY TIMMS

FOUNDER AND CHIEF ENERGY OFFICER OF PTHR.

Founder and Chief Energy Officer of PTHR. Redesigning Better Ways to Work.

Total Rewards

Influencers in this category are recognized for their outstanding advocacy for employee rights and ensuring fair treatment, compensation, and benefits.

KATHRYN MINSHEW

CEO & FOUNDER @THEMUSE

JEANNE MEISTER

FOUNDING PARTNER AT FUTURE WORKPLACE.

Founding Partner at Future Workplace. Business Operations Advisor.

ANGELA MAIERS

CEO AND FOUNDER OF CHOOSE2MATTER. AUTHOR.

CEO and Founder of Choose2Matter. Author. Keynote Speaker.

KAREN AZULAI

CO-FOUNDER OF HRTECHNATION.COM

Co-founder of HRTechnation.com, Global Sourcing Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Advisor

DANNY MEYER

FOUNDER OF SHAKE SHACK.

Founder of Shake Shack. CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group.

NICOLE MALACHOWSKI

CEO AND FOUNDER OF NICOLE MALACHOWSKI & ASSOCIATES.

United States Air Force Veteran. CEO and Founder of Nicole Malachowski & Associates.

ANNA OTT

VP PEOPLE AT HV HOLTZBRINCK VENTURES.

VP People at HV Holtzbrinck Ventures.

JENNY DEARBORN

EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND ADVISOR FOR GLOBAL TECH COMPANIES.

Executive Officer and Advisor for Global Tech Companies. Best-Selling Author.

STACIA GARR

CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL ANALYST OF REDTHREAD RESEARCH

Co-Founder and Principal Analyst of RedThread Research, Speaker.

ALEXANDRE PACHULSKI

CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF OF PRODUCT OFFICER AT TALENTSOFT, AUTHOR.

Co-Founder and Chief of Product Officer at Talentsoft, Author.

DIANE GHERSON

CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER AT IBM.

Chief Human Resources Officer at IBM.

JAZMINE WILKES

HR GENERALIST AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SEA AND BLOGGER.

HR Generalist and Social Media for SEA and blogger.

LASZLO BOCK

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF HUMU

Author of “Work Rules!” | Ex-SVP of People Ops at Google | Passionate about making work better for everyone, everywhere | LinkedInfluencer

ELLYN SHOOK

CHRO ACCENTURE

Reimagining Leadership and Talent Practices | Member of Accenture’s Global Management Committee and Investment Committee | Strong Advocate for Inclusion and Diversity

LISA STERLING

CERIDIAN’S CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER.

Ceridian’s Chief People and Culture Officer. Directing Organizational and Cultural Transformations.

LIZ RYAN

CEO AND FOUNDER OF HUMAN WORKPLACE

Former Fortune 500 HR SVP | World’s Most Widely-Read Career Advisor | Author: Reinvention Roadmap | LinkedInfluencer

Engagedly's 2020 Top 100 HR Influencers