Evolving Competencies: HR in a Data-Driven World with Dr. Alex Alonso
Eps. #134 AUGUST 5TH, 2025
In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson sits down with Dr. Alexander Alonso, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for the Society for Human Resource Management. They delve into the evolving landscape of HR competencies and the critical role of data analytics in shaping employee experience and inclusive leadership. This conversation is timely as organizations increasingly leverage AI in HR to drive strategic transformation and enhance workforce readiness.
Listener Takeaways:
Learn how to identify competencies that are becoming obsolete and those that are essential for future HR success.
Discover why integrating AI into HR practices can revolutionize talent management and employee engagement.
Explore strategies for utilizing data analytics to inform decision-making and drive organizational change.
Hit “Play” to gain insights that can elevate your HR practice!
Guest(s): Dr. Alexander Alonso, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Society for Human Resource Management
Guest(s): Dr. Alexander Alonso, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Society for Human Resource Management
Alexander Alonso, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP is SHRM's Chief Data & Analytics Officer. He leads research, insights, and innovation functions, as well as the SHRM Foundation. His total portfolio includes a $30 million revenue stream based upon practical thought leadership, which is designed to make better workplaces for a more inclusive world. In fact, Dr. Alonso was recognized as an inaugural member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Racial Equity in the Workplace, a coalition created to foster equitable and inclusive cultures. His research has been featured in numerous outlets, including USA Today, NBC News, BBC, CNN, and more. He has served as a member of several speakers bureaus, with more than 400 speaking engagements over the last decade. HR Magazine calls him “one of the most effective communicators of data in recent memory."
Dr. Alonso's works have been recognized for their contribution to real-world human capital issues. He has received the SIOP’s 2007 M. Scott Myers Award for Applied Research in the Workplace for developing the federal standard for learning and development of healthcare providers; a 2009 Presidential Citation for Innovative Practice by the American Psychological Association for designing performance management systems; and the 2013 SIOP Distinguished Early Career Contributions for Practice Award for extensive applied research on the link between human resource management and organizational sustainability.
Throughout his career, he has published works in peer-reviewed journals, authored several chapters on community-based change initiatives in workforce readiness, and authored books like The Price of Pettiness, Talking Taboo: Making the Most of Polarizing Topics (in press), and Defining HR Success: A Guide to the SHRM Competency Model in Practice. Alex also serves as a columnist for TIP and HR Magazine, analyzing major trends in the workforce. He has served on several professional society boards, including president of the Personnel Testing Cou...
