As we approach 2025, the recruitment landscape continues to evolve rapidly and undergo a major transformation. Whether it is redefining workplace culture, navigating hybrid work models, or leveraging AI for talent management, the world of human resources is full of new challenges and opportunities. In this dynamic world of work, staying on top of the trends is crucial for HR professionals as they continue to be at the forefront of the transformation. One key way for HR professionals to make sense of the transformations happening in HR is to follow HR influencers and thought leaders. Keeping that in mind, we have compiled a list of the top HR influencers to follow in 2025.
HR influencers have transformed the world of human resources by driving innovation, sharing expertise, and championing best practices through digital platforms. In this blog, we have featured top HR influencers wearing multiple hats, such as book writers, analysts, and HR podcast hosts. These influencers are making their mark in the HR industry with their impactful thoughts and strategies; surely, their insights will transform how you think about HR. Ready to dive into the future of HR? Read on to get to know some of the top voices in the world of HR.
Top 12 HR Influencers To Follow In 2025
In today’s world filled with a multitude of voices and opinions, it’s hard to find the ones that will make a difference for you. The good news is that we’ve got you covered! Read on to find out more about these amazing people and how they are changing the world of HR.
Brigette Hyacinth is a renowned international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and a prominent thought leader known for her insights on leadership, HR, Artificial Intelligence (AI,) and Digital Transformation. She is the CEO and founder of Leadership EQ which is a leadership development organization.
She is also the founder of MBA Caribbean Organization which conducts seminars and workshops in leadership, management, and education as well as provides motivational speeches. With over 4 million followers on LinkedIn, Brigette has been ranked Top 100 HR Influencers (Leadership & Development). Brigette’s thought leadership, impactful books, and keynote speeches have inspired many individuals to reach their full leadership potential across various industries worldwide.
Hung Lee is a well-known recruitment industry professional known for his thought-provoking insights that will make you think differently about recruitment. He is the mind behind the very prominent industry newsletter Recruitment Brainfood which explores a broad spectrum of topics like the future of work, AI, blockchain, employer branding, culture, HR tools and technologies, and much more.
Lee has 15 years of rich experience in the HR world as a recruiter, recruitment manager, head of talent, and recruitment trainer. He is also the founder of the award-winning online recruiting platform WorkShape. He frequently connects with industry experts and discusses the current trends ruling the HR industry. His work highlights the evolving relationship between employers and candidates, emphasizing the importance of human-centered hiring strategies.
William Tincup is an acclaimed individual in HR, talent acquisition, and recruiting. With over 20+ years of experience, William is a prominent speaker, writer, advisor, and thought leader. Until late 2023, he was the President and Editor-at-Large of RecruitingDaily, a leading online publication focused on human resources and recruiting. He has also served on the board of advisors of multiple ventures throughout his years in the industry, making an impact in the HR industry.
William is also renowned for being involved in multiple podcasts where he shares his insights about various recruitment trends and a particular focus on how technology is reshaping recruitment. His latest venture is the WRKdefined podcast, where he is the editor, analyst, advisor, and host.
Stacy Zapar is a recognized recruiting professional specializing in helping businesses improve their hiring strategies and boost their employer brand. She is the founder and principal recruiter of The Talent Agency, a recruitment consultancy specializing in executive search, recruiter training, sourcing-as-a-service, and consulting for top businesses.
With over 20+ years of experience, Stacy is one of the leading voices in the HR landscape. She has been featured in some major platforms like Washington Post, Huffington Post, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and CNBC, for her top-notch strategies and insights. She has empowered talent acquisition teams to build a strong employer brand and meet their hiring goals.
Lou Adler is one of the prominent names in the recruitment circle, known for emphasizing performance-based hiring strategies rather than traditional recruiting practices. Lou is the CEO and founder of The Adler Group, a consulting and training firm helping companies implement “Win-Win Hiring” programs. He focuses on data-driven recruiting, encouraging businesses towards more objective, performance-oriented hiring decisions.
Additionally, Lou has authored several impactful books like Hire with Your Head on Amazon, and The Essential Guide for Hiring, and his insights are frequently published in major publications like Inc., Business Insider, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal. He also actively speaks in webinars, sharing his insights and approach to how companies can transform their hiring process.
Sam Magadan is a career coach, and speaker and currently working as the Head of Talent at The Midnight Club, a creative company for cultural advancement within the advertising sector. She has 14+ years of experience in people management and is very enthusiastic about work culture. With over 50k+ followers on Linkedin, Sam has great insights on how to improve work culture in a workplace.
Sam is also the founder and Sr. HR Consultant & Career Development Coach of Kandidaat, the #1 Career Coaching firm in New Mexico. As an HR Manager in London Communications Agency, she navigates the nuances and depth of organizational culture, ensuring a favorable environment for success. She has also been awarded as LinkedIn Top Voice for her contributions to the Future of Work and Employee & Candidate Experience.
Leena Nair is a highly respected global business leader, known for her pioneering work in human resources and leadership. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Chanel, one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. Before this, she was the first woman and youngest ever CHRO of Unilever, leading the global people strategy for 160,000+ employees in more than 100 countries.
Leena Nair has been a trailblazer in modernizing HR practices and embedding sustainability and ethics into corporate cultures. She is also known for her deep commitment to gender equality and for being one of the most influential women in global business. She is also the founder of the Career by Choice initiative, which helps women who have dropped off the career ladder, owing to various obstacles.
J.Y Delmotte is an up-and-coming HR influencer and a LinkedIn Top Voice, with a strong background in HR technology and strategies. J.Y. advocates for employee engagement, workplace culture, company values, and remote work. With a strong 10+ years of tech background and enthusiasm for human resources, J.Y has co-founded a lot of businesses that have made an impact.
Currently, he holds the position of co-founder at BuddiesHR, which is an employee engagement software that helps companies build a great work culture via Slack apps, and retain top talent. His strong insights on the importance of flexible work arrangements makes him a great thought leader in the current HR tech space.
With a career spanning over two decades in the field of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition, is a seasoned HR professional and thought leader who focuses on strategic HR leadership, job search coaching, personal branding tips, and HR consulting. Melissa is currently working as the Job Search & Personal Brand Coach, Expert & Advisor at topmate.io. Her expertise and thought leadership have garnered her a substantial following on LinkedIn, where she is ranked #2 Female LinkedIn Creator Worldwide and #1 HR LinkedIn Creator in the USA.
She has won multiple HR & Talent Acquisition Awards and has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Market Watch, Fast Company, Congrade, and Indeed Business and was featured twice on the Times Square Billboard in New York City. Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is also a Yoga instructor.
Margaret Buj is a renowned talent acquisition professional and influencer with expertise in interview coaching, recruiting, employer branding, and resume writing. She is a prominent interview and career coach who is featured as LinkedIn’s Top Voice. With over 19 years of experience in the recruitment landscape, she has sourced top talents for some of the leading global technology companies like VMware, Cisco, Microsoft, and Expedia.
She has been featured in some of the major platforms like Forbes, Business Insider, and Fox Business. Margaret is currently a Principal Recruiter at Mixmax where she is leading the recruitment efforts within multiple teams. She is passionate about coaching and guiding job seekers to get to their full potential and help them achieve their career goals.
Ester Martinez is a seasoned HR professional turned entrepreneur who is passionate about all things HR. She is the CEO and Editor-in-chief of People Matters, which is one of the leading knowledge and media technology platforms in the HR space. With experience of 15+ years in the field of HR, she has worked in different functions in HR in a host of companies in different countries all over the globe.
She has been featured on the Linkedin Top Voices list and has also been ranked as the top writers for the year. Ester has also been recognized as Remote Work Thought Leaders of 2023, Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership, and Top 30 Influential Women Leaders in HR Tech 2023.
Bonnie Dilber is a talent acquisition professional and one of the LinkedIn Top Voices who is at the forefront of advocating for job seekers, revolutionizing recruiting, and making the workplace more equitable for everyone. With 9 years of experience, she has seamlessly transitioned from teaching to talent acquisition, leaving an indelible mark across tech, education, and non-profit sectors.
Her passion for workplace equity resonates with her 400,000+ LinkedIn followers, where she shares invaluable insights. As one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices, Bonnie’s expertise guides job seekers in writing standout resumes, networking effectively, and navigating the ever-evolving job market. Having worked at Zapier as a recruiting manager in the past, she is currently working as the brand partner at Secta Labs.
Conclusion
We have shared top HR influencers with you today who will spark your imagination and creativity and quench your thirst for knowledge about all things in HR throughout 2025. Regardless of whether you work in HR or people operations or are an HR tech enthusiast or advisor, these HR influencers are worthy of being on your list of influencers to follow. You can gain insight into current trends and learn effective methods for hiring top talent by keeping up with these HR influencers.
Frequently asked questions
HR influencers share valuable insights on trends, best practices, and strategies to improve recruitment and employee management.
Top influencers include Leena Nair, Lou Adler, and Margaret Buj, known for shaping recruitment, leadership, and workplace culture.
They offer actionable advice on career development, leadership, and employee engagement, helping you stay ahead in the HR field.
Credible influencers have extensive experience, and a strong track record, and contribute consistently to industry conversations.
Engage by commenting on posts, attending webinars, and sharing their insights to foster meaningful connections.
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