The HR Research Institute has announced the formation of the 2026 Managing and Leading Performance Advisory Board. This initiative assembles industry leaders, HR practitioners, and performance management experts to guide research and events aimed at helping organizations develop higher-performing employees, teams, and overall operations. As companies increasingly focus on performance outcomes, the board's role will be to provide direction on evolving performance management and leadership practices.
The advisory board will specifically address how to leverage artificial intelligence, data analytics, and streamlined processes to optimize performance results. It will also examine the behaviors and mindsets that drive high performance within organizations. The board features a distinguished group of experts including Lauren Bidwell, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at SAP SuccessFactors; Amanda Busfield, Senior Organizational Development Partner; Catarina Edlund, HR Specialist at UN Women; Lena Finch, Vice President of People & Culture at Allego; Craig Friedman, Sr. Talent Advisor at St. Charles Consulting Group; Edie Goldberg, President & Founder of E.L. Goldberg & Associates; Kiara Graham, Sr. Talent Management Advisor at Workleap; Kimberly Hodge, Talent Development Manager at MWM DesignGroup; Andrew Lane, Director at George Mason University; Melissa Phillippi, VP at Highspring; and Robrette Vaden, Human Resources Specialist at DC Courts.
"Performance management isn't just a process; it's how organizations thrive," said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. The advisory board will help HR professionals implement modern strategies and technology to enhance performance reviews, foster employee growth, and drive business results. This guidance comes at a critical time as organizations seek more effective ways to measure and improve performance beyond traditional annual review systems.
The HR Research Institute, which powers this initiative, regularly publishes industry research including the annual "State of the Industry" reports across various HR topics. Last year's research report, HR.com's Future of Managing and Leading Performance 2025, covered similar ground and is available for download along with other free research reports and infographics. The Institute serves more than 2 million HR professionals through its research findings and resources.
The formation of this advisory board signals a significant shift in how performance management is approached in modern organizations. By bringing together experts from diverse sectors including technology, consulting, education, and international organizations, the board represents a comprehensive view of current challenges and opportunities in performance management. The focus on AI and data-driven approaches reflects the growing importance of technology in HR functions, while the emphasis on leadership practices and mindsets acknowledges the human elements that remain crucial to organizational success.
For business and technology leaders, this development matters because effective performance management directly impacts organizational competitiveness, employee retention, and innovation capacity. As AI tools become more sophisticated and data analytics more accessible, organizations that successfully integrate these technologies with human-centered leadership practices will likely gain significant advantages in talent development and business performance. The advisory board's work will provide valuable insights for leaders navigating this complex intersection of technology, data, and human performance in their organizations.
