HR Experts Form Advisory Board to Guide Learning Technology and Upskilling Strategies for 2026

The HR Research Institute has announced the formation of the 2026 Future of Learning Technology and Upskilling Advisory Board, comprising industry leaders, learning and development specialists, and technology experts to lead a comprehensive research initiative and virtual event focused on workplace learning. As organizations place greater emphasis on employee development and measurable outcomes, this advisory board will guide HR leaders on using learning technologies effectively, measuring the impact of upskilling initiatives, and addressing gaps that hinder learning success within organizations. The board will explore emerging trends 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 for implementation.

The advisory board features distinguished experts from various sectors 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; Christine Janssen, PhD, Founder and CEO of Edstutia; and Heidi Schisel, VP of People & Culture at Genentech. These thought leaders bring diverse perspectives to address the complex challenges facing modern workplace learning environments. Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized the board's importance stating that it will help the HR industry stay ahead of the curve by sharing guidance for upcoming research and events, ultimately equipping HR professionals to boost employee skills, engagement, and organizational performance through evidence-based approaches.

The advisory board's work will culminate in the Future of Learning Technology and Upskilling 2026 Virtual Event scheduled for July 7, 2026, which follows previous research initiatives including last year's comprehensive report available at https://hr.com/researchinstitute. This initiative builds upon the HR Research Institute's established track record of producing annual "State of the Industry" reports across various HR topic areas, with the institute having published hundreds of high-quality reports that help more than 2 million HR professionals make strategic decisions with informed and insightful research findings. The research methodology involves surveys developed with assistance from thought leaders and industry experts on advisory boards, ensuring that the findings reflect current challenges and practical solutions for the HR community.

The formation of this advisory board comes at a critical time when organizations worldwide are grappling with rapid technological changes, shifting workforce demographics, and increasing pressure to demonstrate return on investment in employee development programs. By bringing together experts from consulting, corporate, academic, and technology backgrounds, the board aims to create frameworks that bridge the gap between learning theory and practical application in diverse organizational contexts. The research outcomes will address how organizations can leverage technology not just for content delivery but for creating adaptive learning ecosystems that respond to individual employee needs while aligning with broader business objectives, particularly in areas where traditional training approaches have fallen short in delivering measurable business impact.