HR.com has announced the formation of its 2026 Advisory Board on Pay Equity and Transparency, bringing together a group of senior HR executives and compensation thought leaders to guide upcoming research and a virtual learning event focused on advancing fair and transparent pay practices. The board will support the HR Research Institute in developing insights and practical guidance for organizations navigating evolving regulations and technologies.
The advisory board will guide research on pay equity and transparency, including examining organizational maturity, compensation decision-making criteria, and methods for measuring and validating equity outcomes. It will also identify emerging best practices, expected progress in the near future, and effective approaches to communicating findings through clear, data-driven reporting. Findings will directly inform both the 2026 research survey and a virtual event designed to equip HR leaders with actionable, real-world strategies.
The 2026 Future of Pay Equity and Transparency Virtual Event is scheduled for October 14, 2026. Registration is available for free. The newly formed advisory board features distinguished experts including Thomas J. Carnahan, PhD, Sr. Manager People Insights at Berkshire; Joanna Colosimo, VP, Workforce Analytics & Compliance Strategy at DCI Consulting Group, Inc.; Stefan Gaertner, PhD, Sr. Director, Strategy at Syndio; Gail Greenfield, PhD, EVP of Pay Equity and Total Rewards Strategy and Solutions at Trusaic; Fred Hilling, President of Sander Consulting Services; Brian Levine, PhD, Partner and Pay Equity Consulting Leader at Merit Analytics Group; Patrick McNeil, PhD, Principal Business Consultant at Affirmity Workforce Analytics; and Maria Fechter Papasevastos, Partner, Labor & Employment at Seyfarth Shaw LLP.
“Pay equity and transparency are essential to building trust and strengthening the employee experience,” said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. “This group will ultimately help organizations strengthen pay strategies, improve decision-making, and advance more consistent, data-driven practices that support fair outcomes for employees.”
The HR Research Institute releases annual “State of the Industry” reports in a variety of HR topic areas, including last year’s research report, HR.com's Future of Pay Equity and Transparency 2025, covering the same topic. This and other free research reports and infographics can be downloaded at hr.com/researchinstitute.
The implications of this announcement are significant for the HR industry and organizations worldwide. As regulations around pay transparency tighten—such as the EU Pay Transparency Directive and various state laws in the U.S.—companies face increasing pressure to demonstrate equitable compensation practices. The advisory board’s research and guidance will help organizations avoid legal risks, improve employee trust, and enhance their employer brand. For HR professionals, the findings will provide a roadmap to move beyond compliance and toward strategic pay equity management, ultimately impacting talent attraction and retention. The virtual event on October 14, 2026, will offer a platform for sharing best practices and networking with peers, making this initiative a key resource for driving change in compensation practices.
