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. The board will lead a research initiative and a virtual event focused on workplace learning, responding to organizations' growing emphasis on employee development and measurable outcomes.
The advisory board will provide guidance to HR leaders on effectively utilizing learning technologies, measuring the impact of upskilling initiatives, and addressing gaps that hinder learning success. The board will explore emerging trends including AI-driven personalized learning, workforce skill tracking, and digital learning strategies. These explorations will shape research and events designed to provide HR and L&D professionals with actionable tools and frameworks.
“This advisory board will help the HR industry stay ahead of the curve,” said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. “By sharing guidance for upcoming research and events, these thought leaders will equip HR professionals to boost employee skills, engagement, and organizational performance.”
The advisory board features distinguished experts from various organizations, including Christopher Allen of Allen Interactions, David Creelman of Creelman Research, JD Dillon of Axonify, Sam Herring of Intrepid and VitalSource, Sheila Jagannathan of The World Bank, and Christine Janssen of Edstutia. Other members include Brad Kogut of Anywhere Real Estate, Heather Lambert of Wellpath, Christopher Lind of Christopher Lind Co., Stacy Marshall of HUB International, Lisa Menke of TEKsystems, Todd Moran of NovoEd, Philip Pinkerman of Bristol Farms, Heidi Schisel of Genentech, and Caitlynn Sendra of SAP SuccessFactors.
The HR Research Institute releases annual “State of the Industry” reports across various HR topic areas, including last year's research report covering similar topics. These and other free research reports and infographics can be downloaded at HR.com Research Institute. The institute, powered by HR.com, identifies key trends and best practices to help more than 2 million HR professionals make strategic decisions with informed research findings. It has published hundreds of high-quality reports across a wide array of HR topics, with resources developed with assistance from advisory boards of thought leaders and industry experts.
The newly formed board will contribute to the HR.com's Future of Learning Technology and Upskilling 2026 Virtual Event scheduled for July 7, 2026. As organizations continue to prioritize employee development in an evolving workplace landscape, this advisory board's work represents a significant effort to bridge the gap between learning technology potential and practical implementation, ensuring that upskilling initiatives deliver measurable value to both employees and organizations.
For HR vendors, this initiative signals a growing demand for learning technologies that integrate AI-driven personalization and skill tracking. The research and guidance produced by this board will likely shape procurement decisions and highlight the importance of solutions that provide clear ROI on upskilling investments. Vendors should monitor the board's findings to align their offerings with emerging best practices and to address the gaps that hinder learning success in the workplace.
