As we move through an energizing first half of the year, I continue to be inspired by the momentum, collaboration, and innovation taking place across the HRO Today Association community.

A central driver of that momentum has been the strength and engagement of our webinar programming. Across our Third Thursday Webinars and HR Bonus Briefings, we are seeing something powerful take shape—real conversations grounded in real challenges, with leaders openly sharing what’s working, what’s not, and where transformation is getting stuck.

A recent session, “From Strategy to Reality: Leading Talent Transformation in Complex Organizations,” brought this into sharp focus. What emerged wasn’t a conversation about strategy gaps, but about the difficulty of translating strategy into consistent execution.

1. 32% cited too many competing priorities

2. 27% pointed to strong strategy but inconsistent execution

3. 27% shared they are experiencing transformation fatigue

The message was clear: This is not a strategy issue—it is a translation and adoption challenge.

When asked what leaders would eliminate tomorrow, the responses reinforced that reality—resistance to change, lack of leadership buy-in, everything being treated as urgent, and the need for meaningful behavior change.

It was a powerful reminder that transformation is less about frameworks and more about what actually changes on the ground. This type of candid, experience-driven dialogue is what continues to set our community apart—and the data from the first half of the year reinforces that impact.

First Six Months in Review: By the Numbers 

A truly global conversation is taking shape. More than 20% of webinar attendees are joining from outside North America, spanning Europe, Africa, and APAC. Just as important, half of our speakers this year are based outside the U.S.—a direct reflection of member feedback and a meaningful step toward more globally representative perspectives.

Our programming remains firmly grounded in practitioner experience. Approximately 84% of attendees come from practitioner organizations, ensuring that discussions stay focused on real-world application rather than theory.

Engagement spans the full HR leadership spectrum. Roughly one-third of participants are managers or above, including more than 17% at the director level or above. In addition, nearly 10% of attendees hold VP or C-suite roles, bringing both strategic perspective and decision-making insight into every session.

The value of these discussions extends well beyond the live sessions. Our On-Demand Library continues to grow, giving members the ability to revisit insights and apply learnings over time. It is a resource designed not just for the moment, but for sustained impact.

One of our greatest strengths continues to be the caliber of leaders shaping this community. We were pleased to welcome Mike Van Aken, chief people officer at Acosta Group, to C-TEN following the HRO Today Forum North America, and to expand our global perspective with the appointment of Jane Comes, director, ANZ, RPO at Korn Ferry, to our APAC Board of Advisors. Both bring valuable expertise that will help guide our members through an increasingly complex talent landscape.

Looking ahead, we have several opportunities for continued connection, learning, and recognition. Our Talent Acquisition Summit will take place Sept. 15–16 in Atlanta, followed by the HRO Today Forum EMEA in Barcelona on Nov. 4–5. I encourage members to participate, take advantage of available savings, and submit nominations for our awards programs as we recognize the individuals and teams driving meaningful impact across our industry.

Thank you for being an active part of this community. Your willingness to share, engage, and lead is what continues to make the HRO Today Association such a valuable and trusted network.

If you are not yet a member, I invite you to join the conversation. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at Renee.Preston@SharedXpertise.com to learn more.

Renée Preston

Senior Vice President of Membership Services

Global Executive Director of the HRO Today Association