According to conversations with senior HR executives at RentSpree, Sodali & Co, and OpSec, the future of people leadership will be defined by three things: human-centered leadership, data-driven decision-making, and the courage to evolve alongside the business.
Here’s what three standout leaders are seeing and why their perspectives matter now.
According to Kevin S. Frank, Chief People Officer at RentSpree
Humanizing HR is a competitive advantage in tech
RentSpree is a fast-growing proptech platform that supports millions of rental transactions annually by helping landlords, agents, and renters streamline the leasing process. Operating in one of the most competitive talent markets, software technology, RentSpree’s success depends heavily on its ability to attract and retain top-tier talent.
According to Kevin S. Frank, Chief People Officer at RentSpree, empathy and authenticity are no longer “nice to have”, they’re essential.
“Trust is built when HR leaders are willing to be real, vulnerable, and human,” Frank shared. “People want to know they’re being seen, not managed.”
Kevin shared that his early background in psychology and organizational development shaped how he approaches HR today. He spent the first decade of his career in training and development, where creativity, storytelling, and engagement were central. That foundation now informs how he partners with leaders on culture, employee experience, and talent strategy.
Industry hiring data shows that tech roles receive nearly twice as many applicants as non-tech roles, yet voluntary turnover remains high. Kevin emphasized that even candidates who don’t join RentSpree should leave with a positive experience because reputation travels fast.
“Every interaction matters,” he said. “Candidates talk. Empathy scales.”
Kevin also highlighted the ongoing challenge of building connection in hybrid environments, especially for younger generations. According to workplace research, employees who feel a strong sense of belonging are 56% more likely to be high performers, reinforcing why community-building is a strategic priority, not a cultural afterthought.
According to Nadia Krivickova, Chief People Officer at Sodali & Co
Empathy and data must coexist
Sodali & Co is a global strategic communications, shareholder advisory and sustainability firm operating across over 40 markets worldwide, advising many of the world’s largest corporations. The organization’s complexity fueled by multiple acquisitions and global growth demands rigor in people operations.
According to Nadia Krivickova, Chief People Officer at Sodali & Co, HR’s credibility is built at the intersection of data and humanity.
“You need the data to influence the business, but you need empathy to lead people through change,” Krivickova explained.
Nadia shared her background in forensic accounting and consulting profoundly shaped her HR leadership style. She approaches people decisions with a client-service mindset, using data to guide strategy while tailoring communication to individuals’ career stages and circumstances.
According to global workforce studies, organizations that use people analytics effectively are three times more likely to improve decision-making outcomes.
She emphasized HR’s role in navigating AI thoughtfully.
“AI won’t remove HR jobs but it will make HR more efficient and should give HR time” she said. “Time to think strategically, coach leaders, and focus on the work that truly moves the business forward.”
As Sodali & Co integrates acquisitions and builds a long-term growth engine, Nadia is focused on strengthening leadership development, learning infrastructure, and scalable people systems, ensuring HR evolves at the same pace as the business.
According to Riya Sood, Former Chief Human Resources Officer at OpSec
Global Perspective Is HR’s Untapped Advantage
OpSec Security, a global brand protection and authentication company, operates at the intersection of security, technology, and intellectual property. According to Riya Sood, former Chief Human Resources Officer at OpSec, HR leaders with global exposure bring a critical and often underleveraged lens to today’s workforce challenges.
Riya’s career spans India, Singapore, Dubai, and the United States, providing firsthand experience across diverse labor markets, regulatory environments, and cultural contexts.
“Globalization has fundamentally reshaped how organizations operate,” Sood noted. “HR leaders must think beyond borders, particularly when it comes to talent strategy, M&A integration, and building centers of excellence.”
With a background in economics and a strong focus on data, Riya consistently bridged people strategy with business outcomes. During her tenure at OpSec, she played a central role in M&A integration, one of the most complex and high-risk areas for HR leadership.
Research indicates that up to 70% of mergers fail to meet their objectives, often due to cultural misalignment and people-related challenges. Riya emphasized that disciplined, globally informed HR leadership can be the difference between disruption and sustained value creation.
She also highlighted the growing importance of AI and operational rigor in HR, underscoring the need to balance innovation with execution.
“You can’t scale culture without strong foundations,” she said. “HR leaders need both vision and operational discipline to deliver impact.”
The Bigger Picture
From these three leaders, the message is unmistakable:
HR’s future belongs to those who can humanize leadership, leverage data, and scale with intention.
Whether it’s building trust in tech, leading through global complexity, or navigating transformation across borders, today’s most effective People leaders are redefining what impact really looks like.
And they’re proving that HR, when done right, isn’t just shaping the workforce. It’s shaping the business itself.
About the Author
From securing an $8M breakthrough inside a global fintech to being named CEO of the very platform she built, Netta Jenkins has mastered the art of turning bold ideas into lasting business transformation. With a LinkedIn community of over 200,000, she’s the CEO redefining how organizations drive employee engagement and performance through AI. A two-time Wiley author, Netta’s work has been amplified by Arianna Huffington to more than 10 million people. Her latest book, Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence, gives leaders the playbook to transform everyday teams into high-performing powerhouses.
As founder of HIC, a workplace consulting firm and creator of HIC HR Hub, a private community for senior HR leaders to share and gain new insights. She also hosts Beyond Management™, a viral LinkedIn leadership series with over 50 million impressions, where she sparks street-level conversations that elevate employer brands, attract top talent, and inspire customers. A seasoned TEDx and international keynote speaker, Netta has energized audiences across the U.S., Ghana, the Netherlands, and Turkey with bold insights and measurable takeaways. With 15+ years of global advisory experience, she shares weekly video tips that empower managers at every level. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, McKinsey, Forbes, Fortune, and more. Named one of CIO Views’ Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow.
Netta helps organizations connect workplace culture, technology, and performance to deliver measurable, lasting impact. Previously serving as VP of Global Inclusive Strategy at IAC, Netta partnered with brands like Match.com, Vimeo, and Daily Beast. She advises Betterment, consults executives via the Intro app, and is pursuing a doctorate in quality systems. Currently, she collaborates with Marc Lore (former CEO of Walmart) and Preet Bharara (former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York) to build Telosa, a visionary new city in America. Residing on the East Coast with her family, Netta continues to make a transformative impact in both the corporate and startup landscapes.
