HR.com's HR Research Institute has unveiled its 2026 Recruitment Technology Advisory Board, a group of distinguished HR leaders and talent acquisition experts tasked with guiding the organization's upcoming research and educational programming on the technologies reshaping the hiring landscape. The board will provide strategic insights to shape a new HR Research Institute study and a virtual event focused on how organizations are leveraging recruitment technology, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve hiring outcomes.
The announcement comes as recruitment technology evolves at a rapid pace, offering new opportunities to enhance hiring efficiency and candidate experience. Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized the importance of the board's role: "Recruitment technology is advancing rapidly, creating new opportunities to improve hiring efficiency and the candidate experience. Our Advisory Board will help ensure our research and events deliver practical, data-driven insights that enable HR professionals to make informed technology decisions."
The upcoming research and virtual event will delve into the current state of recruitment technologies, with a particular focus on the growing impact of AI. They will identify which solutions organizations are using most successfully, examine how employers measure recruiting performance through technology, highlight emerging best practices, and look ahead at the next generation of recruitment innovations. This initiative is critical for HR professionals seeking to stay competitive in a talent market where technology plays an increasingly central role.
The board members bring a wealth of experience from various sectors, including technology, consulting, healthcare, and professional services. The 2026 Future of Recruitment Technologies Advisory Board includes Deb Andrucuk, VP Strategic Growth at Joveo; Brian Fink, Managing Partner at The ReWork Group; Susan Hanold, Ph.D., Vice President OD, People and Change at Plan Z Solutions; Joel Kirk, Director of Talent Engagement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; Pete Radloff, Senior Technical Leadership Recruiter at DataDog; and Jason Vogel, Senior Manager and Catalyst Executive Recruiter at PWC. Their collective expertise will inform the research and ensure it addresses real-world challenges and opportunities.
The HR Research Institute regularly publishes annual "State of the Industry" reports across a variety of HR topics, including last year's Future of Recruitment Technologies 2025-26 report. These free research reports and infographics are available for download at hr.com/researchinstitute, providing valuable data for HR professionals.
The implications of this announcement are significant. As AI and automation become more embedded in recruitment processes, HR professionals need reliable, evidence-based guidance to navigate the evolving technology landscape. The advisory board's insights will help shape resources that enable organizations to make strategic decisions about recruitment technology, potentially leading to more efficient hiring processes and better candidate experiences. Moreover, the upcoming virtual event on November 18, 2026, offers a platform for HR practitioners to learn about cutting-edge tools and best practices.
For the industry, this initiative underscores the growing importance of technology in talent acquisition and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. By providing access to free research and events, HR.com aims to support the professional development of HR practitioners and help them leverage technology effectively. The advisory board's formation is a proactive step toward addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in recruitment, ultimately benefiting both employers and job seekers.
