The HR Research Institute has announced the formation of its 2026 State of People Analytics Advisory Board, a group of industry leaders and data experts tasked with guiding a major research initiative and virtual event centered on HR analytics in the workplace. The board's formation responds to growing expectations for HR leaders to tie workforce strategy to measurable business impact.
Composed of forward-thinking practitioners, analytics specialists, and HR veterans, the advisory board will provide expert guidance on leveraging people data to make smarter, more equitable, and actionable decisions. The board's work will directly inform an upcoming study and virtual event designed to equip HR professionals with frameworks, tools, and strategies to integrate analytics into day-to-day HR operations, culture, and strategic planning.
With a special focus on AI-enabled solutions, the Advisory Board aims to provide expertise that ultimately helps organizations harness data to drive results, enhance workforce performance, and support inclusive, evidence-based decision-making. The board will shape research and practical insights to help HR teams address skills gaps, evolving technology, and complex organizational demands.
The newly formed 2026 State of People Analytics Advisory Board features distinguished experts including Ranjan Dutta, Ph.D., Founder and Managing Partner of ThothProAI; Helen Friedman, Partner and CEO of Merit Analytics Group LLC; Jeff Higgins, Founder and CEO of Lytiqs; Fiona Jamison, Ph.D., VP Research & People Analytics at People Results; and Mike Kidwell, Executive Director and Senior Lead Analytics Consultant at Wells Fargo. Other members include Shane McGowan, Talent Analyst at S&S Activewear; Viktor Mirovic, CEO of KeenCorp; Adam Murphy, Director of People Analytics & Systems at AMC Theatres; Miles Overholt, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Strategia Analytics; Lisa Perez, Founder of National Management Training Week; and Konstantin Tskhay, Founder and Managing Partner of Tskhay & Associates, Inc.
"We're thrilled to unite HR and analytics experts to guide our upcoming research and virtual event," said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. "Their insights will empower the HR community to use data and AI-driven analytics to make smarter, fairer, and more effective workplace decisions."
The HR Research Institute releases annual "State of the Industry" reports in various HR topic areas, including this past research report, HR.com's State of People Analytics 2025-26, on the same topic. This and other free research reports and infographics can be downloaded at hr.com/researchinstitute.
The formation of this advisory board signals a significant shift toward data-driven HR practices that could transform how organizations manage their workforce. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into business operations, the board's guidance on AI-enabled HR solutions could help organizations navigate ethical considerations while improving efficiency and fairness in hiring, promotion, and talent management decisions.
For HR professionals, the board's work represents an opportunity to access cutting-edge research and practical frameworks that bridge the gap between traditional HR practices and modern data analytics. The upcoming virtual event on June 17, 2026, will provide a platform for sharing these insights with the broader HR community, potentially accelerating adoption of evidence-based approaches across industries.
The implications extend beyond individual organizations to the broader workforce ecosystem. As more companies adopt data-driven HR strategies, we may see increased standardization of workforce metrics, more transparent decision-making processes, and potentially reduced bias in employment practices. However, this transition also raises important questions about data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and the human element in HR that the advisory board will need to address.
This initiative comes at a critical time when organizations face unprecedented challenges in talent management, remote work adaptation, and skills development. By providing HR leaders with evidence-based tools and strategies, the advisory board's work could help organizations build more resilient, adaptable workforces capable of thriving in rapidly changing business environments.
