The HR Research Institute (HRRI) has established the Future of Talent Acquisition 2026 Advisory Board, convening industry experts to assist HR professionals in preparing for substantial changes in recruiting and workforce planning. This panel will direct HRRI's forthcoming research study and virtual event aimed at navigating the rapidly transforming talent acquisition landscape.
The advisory board comprises distinguished thought leaders including Brian Gilbert, VP of Talent Acquisition & Sourcing at Brown University Health; Deborah Kurtz, Founder of Magenta Search; Steve Levy, Global Talent Acquisition & Sourcing Expert; Hannah R. Miller, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Saint Francis Health System; and Tara Turk-Haynes, Talent Acquisition and People Operations Managing Partner at Equity Solutions. These experts will contribute insights to identify best practices and emerging strategies for sourcing, hiring, and retaining top talent in the current competitive labor market.
Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized that recruiting and hiring are fundamental to organizational success, noting that the advisory board brings together leaders with deep expertise to help HR professionals enhance their hiring strategies and develop future-ready talent pipelines. The initiative seeks to deliver actionable takeaways and data-driven insights for HR leaders looking to optimize quality hiring, adopt technology, and improve candidate experience.
The HR Research Institute produces annual "State of the Industry" reports on various HR topics, with previous research accessible at https://hr.com/researchinstitute. HRRI has published hundreds of high-quality reports across a broad spectrum of HR subjects and serves over 2 million HR professionals through its research findings. Additional resources are available through HR.com's free membership, which provides benefits including access to more than 300 exclusive primary research reports and infographics.
The advisory board's efforts will lead to HR.com's Future of Talent Acquisition 2026 Virtual Event on February 10, 2026. This research initiative responds to the increasing challenges organizations encounter in attracting and retaining talent amidst changing workforce dynamics and technological advancements impacting the recruitment industry. For HR vendors, this development signals shifting priorities in talent acquisition tools and services, as organizations seek data-backed solutions to address evolving hiring needs. The research outcomes will likely influence product development and service offerings in the HR technology market, as vendors align with emerging best practices identified through this expert-guided study.
