The HR Research Institute has launched its Future of Coaching and Mentoring for Leadership 2026 Advisory Board, assembling prominent practitioners dedicated to advancing leadership excellence. This board will provide guidance to organizations on modern coaching and mentoring approaches that balance artificial intelligence tools with essential human connection, while shaping policies for responsible AI implementation and defining leaders' evolving roles in AI-enabled workplaces.
The expert advisory panel will direct HRRI's comprehensive research project and virtual event scheduled for March 4, 2026. The initiative will explore how organizations can leverage coaching and mentoring to build strong leadership pipelines and accelerate professional growth. The board's collective expertise will reveal effective methodologies for implementing and scaling coaching cultures that enhance leader readiness and organizational resilience.
According to Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, "In a time of unprecedented change, leadership development is essential. Our new Advisory Board will guide HR in building stronger leaders through effective coaching and mentoring, with the right balance of artificial and human intelligence." This statement underscores the critical importance of adapting leadership development strategies to contemporary workplace challenges.
The advisory board includes distinguished professionals such as Lizzie Bentley Bowers, author and coach at The Causeway Coaching; Anne Bloom, CEO and founder of Your Aspire Coach; Mitwuana Bruce, Senior Human Resources Officer at The Hunger Project; and Morgan Kemick, HR/OD Consultant and Leadership Coach at Morgan Kemick Consulting. Other members include Mark Monaghan, VP of Organizational Development and Coaching at iQor; Helen Patterson, HR Leader and Fractional VP at Life Works Well; Tracey Power, Chief People Officer and Performance Coach at Highspring; Michelle Prince, Executive Career Coach at MPrince Consulting LLC; Rey Ramirez, Co-Founder of Thrive HR Consulting; Iyad Uakoub, Chief Coach and Behavioral Scientist at Sparathon; Anja van Beek, Agile Talent Strategist and Executive Coach at Anja van Beek Consulting and Coaching; and Jason Walker, Founder and Chief People Officer at Thrive HR Consulting.
The initiative will deliver evidence-based recommendations and actionable insights for HR professionals seeking to enhance leadership development programs, optimize mentor-mentee relationships, and create sustainable pathways for nurturing high-potential talent. This research builds upon previous work, including HR.com's Future Demands in Coaching and Mentoring Research 2025, which can be accessed at https://hr.com/researchinstitute along with other free research reports and infographics.
The formation of this advisory board represents a significant step in addressing the evolving demands of leadership development in an increasingly digital workplace. As organizations navigate the integration of AI technologies, the board's guidance on balancing technological efficiency with human-centered coaching approaches becomes increasingly vital for developing effective leaders capable of thriving in complex, rapidly changing environments.
