The HR Research Institute (HRRI) has announced the formation of HR.com's Future of Compensation and Total Rewards Advisory Board, comprising industry experts who will guide HR professionals through one of the most critical and rapidly evolving areas of talent management. This panel will direct an upcoming research study and virtual event focused on the future of compensation and total rewards, providing HR leaders with actionable strategies to attract, retain, and engage talent effectively.
Total rewards—encompassing pay, benefits, and other employee rewards—has long been a cornerstone of HR strategy, but intensifying competition for talent is forcing employers to rethink traditional approaches. Organizations are increasingly personalizing offerings and tying pay more closely to performance to meet evolving employee expectations. Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized that compensation and total rewards are no longer solely about market rates but about shaping an employee experience that drives performance, loyalty, and engagement.
The advisory board includes prominent thought leaders such as Supriya Bahri, Vice President of Global Total Rewards at Roblox; Wally Brown, Total Rewards Manager at UC Health; and Chris Fusco, SVP of Compensation, Research and Content Creation at Salary.com. Other members include Gail Greenfield, EVP of Total Rewards Strategy and Solutions at Trusaic; Tom McMullen, Senior Client Partner & Total Rewards Expertise Leader at Korn Ferry; and Vanita Tyagi, Director of Total Rewards at Empyrean.
This initiative builds on previous research, including the HR.com's Future of Compensation and Total Rewards 2024-25 report, which can be accessed alongside other free resources at hr.com/researchinstitute. The HR Research Institute, which serves over 2 million HR professionals, publishes hundreds of high-quality reports across various HR topics to help organizations make strategic decisions based on informed research findings.
The formation of this advisory board is significant as it addresses the growing complexity of compensation strategies in a post-pandemic era where remote work, equity concerns, and economic fluctuations have reshaped employee expectations. HR professionals must now balance competitive pay with holistic benefits to foster engagement and retention, making expert guidance crucial for organizational success. The insights from this board will likely influence industry standards and best practices, helping businesses adapt to future trends and regulatory changes.
The upcoming virtual event on November 19, 2025, will disseminate the advisory board's recommendations, offering practical takeaways for HR leaders worldwide. This effort underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in HR practices, ensuring that compensation strategies remain aligned with both employee needs and organizational goals in an increasingly dynamic labor market.
