The HR Research Institute has announced the formation of the 2026 Future of Learning Technology and Upskilling Advisory Board, bringing together industry leaders, learning and development specialists, and technology experts to lead a comprehensive research initiative and virtual event focused on workplace learning. This strategic move responds to the growing emphasis organizations are placing on employee development and measurable outcomes, positioning the advisory board to provide critical guidance on effective learning technology implementation, impact measurement for upskilling initiatives, and identification of gaps that hinder learning success.
The advisory board comprises distinguished experts including Christopher Allen, President of Allen Interactions; David Creelman, CEO of Creelman Research; JD Dillon, VP Strategic Alignment at Axonify; Sheila Jagannathan, Global Head of Capacity Building and Digital Learning at The World Bank; and Christine Janssen, PhD, Founder and CEO of Edstutia. Additional members include Brad Kogut, Head of Talent at Anywhere Real Estate; Heather Lambert, VP of Learning & Organizational Development at Wellpath; Christopher Lind, Executive Advisor for Business Transformation at Christopher Lind Co.; and Todd Moran, Chief Learning Strategist at NovoEd. The board also features Stacy Marshall, Associate Vice President of People and Technology Consulting at HUB International; Lisa Menke, Sr. Learning Experience Designer & Facilitator at TEKsystems; Philip Pinkerman, Learning and Development Manager at Bristol Farms; Heidi Schisel, VP of People & Culture of Commercial, Medical and Government Affairs at Genentech; and Caitlynn Sendra, PhD., Sr. Research Scientist at the Future of Work Research Lab, SAP SuccessFactors.
Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized the board's significance, stating that it will help the HR industry stay ahead of emerging trends. The advisory board will explore key developments including AI-driven personalized learning, workforce skill tracking, and digital learning strategies, shaping research and events that provide HR and L&D professionals with actionable tools and frameworks. This initiative builds upon previous research efforts, including last year's comprehensive report, HR.com's Future of Learning Technologies 2025, which covered similar topics and is available for download alongside other free research reports and infographics.
The implications of this announcement are substantial for HR professionals and organizations worldwide. As workplace learning becomes increasingly critical for maintaining competitive advantage and addressing skill gaps, the guidance provided by this expert panel could influence how companies approach employee development. The board's focus on measurable outcomes addresses a persistent challenge in the learning and development field, where demonstrating return on investment for training programs has often been difficult. By developing frameworks for impact measurement, the advisory board's work could help organizations justify learning investments and optimize their upskilling strategies.
For industries facing rapid technological change, the board's exploration of AI-driven personalized learning and digital learning strategies could provide valuable insights for adapting workforce capabilities. The inclusion of representatives from diverse sectors—including real estate, healthcare, technology, and international development—ensures that the research will address varied organizational contexts and challenges. The virtual event scheduled for July 7, 2026, will serve as a platform for disseminating the board's findings and facilitating knowledge exchange among HR professionals globally.
The HR Research Institute, powered by HR.com, serves more than 2 million HR professionals and has published hundreds of reports across various HR topics. Their research methodology involves surveys developed with assistance from thought leaders and industry experts on advisory boards, ensuring that findings reflect current practices and emerging trends. This latest initiative continues their mission to help HR professionals make strategic decisions with informed and insightful research findings, potentially shaping how organizations worldwide approach learning technology and workforce development in the coming years.
