The HR Research Institute has launched its Future of HR Skills and Strategies 2026 Advisory Board, bringing together prominent thought leaders to shape HR capability-building during a period of significant industry transformation. This initiative responds to organizations facing rapid AI advancements, workforce redesign, changing employee expectations, and increasing labor market complexity.
The advisory board will guide HRRI's comprehensive research initiative and virtual event scheduled for March 18, 2026, focusing on how HR teams can proactively develop competencies and strategies for emerging workforce challenges. Their collective expertise will highlight proven approaches for upskilling and reskilling HR professionals within the HR.com community to effectively manage future talent landscapes. The program builds upon previous industry research including HR.com's Future of HR Skills and Strategies 2025 report, available for download at https://hr.com/researchinstitute.
The newly appointed board includes industry leaders such as Jennifer Akoma of Android Industries, Joya Bradley of Argus Media, Dr. Ken Keis of Consulting Resources Group, and Dr. Jonathan H. Westover of Western Governors University, among other distinguished HR professionals from organizations including ChenMed, Brooks Rehabilitation, and Keck Medicine of USC. Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized that the HR function is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades.
The board will guide critical topics in HR professional development, equipping leaders with frameworks, competencies, and strategies needed to drive organizational excellence in a volatile environment. The program aims to deliver practical guidance and research-backed strategies for HR executives seeking to strengthen team capabilities, leverage advanced tools and methodologies, and position organizations for sustained success. The HR Research Institute, which serves over 2 million HR professionals, publishes numerous high-quality reports across various HR topics, with additional information about their research initiatives available at https://hr.com/hrresearchinstitute.
This advisory board formation represents a strategic response to the pressing need for HR professionals to adapt to technological disruption and evolving workforce dynamics. For business and technology leaders, this initiative signals the critical importance of HR transformation in maintaining competitive advantage. The integration of AI and advanced technologies into HR functions requires specialized skills that many organizations currently lack, making this guidance essential for workforce planning and organizational resilience.
By bringing together diverse industry perspectives, the initiative aims to provide actionable insights that will help organizations navigate the complex challenges of modern talent management. The timing is particularly relevant as companies face increasing pressure to redesign work structures, manage hybrid teams, and leverage data analytics for talent decisions. The research outcomes will likely influence how organizations approach HR technology investments, training programs, and strategic workforce planning through 2026 and beyond.
The implications extend beyond HR departments to affect overall business strategy and operational efficiency. Companies that successfully implement these evolving HR capabilities will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent, optimize workforce productivity, and adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. This coordinated effort to address HR skill gaps comes at a crucial moment when technological acceleration and workforce evolution are converging to redefine how organizations manage their most valuable asset: human capital.
