Who should I follow to learn about People Analytics?

If you want to **actually get good at People Analytics**, I’d follow a mix of practitioners, researchers, and HR-tech analysts rather than just generic HR influencers. ### My top 7 1. **David Green** - probably my #1 recommendation. He focuses specifically on people analytics, data-driven HR, and turning workforce data into business value. [Top 28 HR Experts to Follow in 2026](https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/career/hr-experts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Follow for:** practical frameworks, case studies, analytics strategy, and the future of the profession. 2. **Stacia Garr** - excellent for the intersection of **people analytics, HR research, technology, and evidence-based HR**. [AI HR Intelligence · Navigate the AI HR market](https://www.hrdigitalplayground.com/ai-hr-intelligence/thought-leaders?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Follow for:** research and thoughtful analysis rather than HR hype. 3. **Josh Bersin** - broader than People Analytics, but extremely useful for understanding how analytics fits into **HR strategy, technology, talent, AI, and workforce transformation**. His research specifically covers People Analytics maturity. [Research – JOSH BERSIN](https://joshbersin.com/research/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 4. **David Creelman** - one of the people I'd follow if you want the **evidence-based / scientific side** of People Analytics. He's been focused on helping organizations develop effective people-analytics practices for years. [David Creelman | Visier](https://www.visier.com/blog/author/david-creelman/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 5. **Heather Whiteman** - particularly interesting if you want to connect People Analytics with **organizational science, workforce strategy, and the future of work**. She has also been involved with the People Intelligence Alliance. [People Intelligence Alliance Unveils Celebrated Thought Leadership Council](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/people-intelligence-alliance-unveils-celebrated-thought-leadership-council-301380916.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 6. **Ian Cook** - a strong practitioner-oriented voice around People Analytics and workforce intelligence, with a good emphasis on turning analysis into decisions. [People Analytics: History And The Future Of Work | Visier](https://www.visier.com/blog/history-people-analytics-future-of-work/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 7. **Ravin Jesuthasan** - less narrowly focused on analytics, but very useful for understanding **skills, work design, automation, and workforce transformation** - the problems People Analytics increasingly needs to solve. [Top 28 HR Experts to Follow in 2026](https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/career/hr-experts/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### If you only follow 3 I'd start with: **David Green → Stacia Garr → Josh Bersin** That gives you a nice combination of **People Analytics expertise + research/evidence + broader HR/business strategy**. And don't just follow individuals: [Visier's research and insights](https://www.visier.com/research/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) is particularly useful for keeping up with current workforce analytics research, while [Josh Bersin's People Analytics research](https://joshbersin.com/definitive-guide-to-people-analytics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) is a good foundation. If you're **trying to break into People Analytics as a career**, I can also give you a curated **“10 people + 10 newsletters + 10 podcasts + 10 courses” learning path**, ordered from beginner → advanced.

**To learn about People Analytics, you should follow leading voices like David Green, Stacia Garr, Jonathan Ferrar, Richard Rosenow, and Patrick Coolen - alongside rising stars such as Madison Hanscom and Sonali Kumar. These experts are shaping the field through research, practice, and community-building.** ## 🌟 Established Thought Leaders Here are some of the most influential figures recognized in the **2026 People Analytics Network Census (PANC)** and other HR leadership lists: Name| Role / Affiliation| Why Follow Them ---|---|--- **David Green**| Executive Director at Insight222| Widely regarded as the _leading voice_ in People Analytics, hosts podcasts and writes extensively on workforce data.[Top 28 HR Experts to Follow in 2026](https://peoplemanagingpeople.com/career/hr-experts/) **Stacia Garr**| Co-founder at RedThread Research| Focuses on analytics, employee experience, and HR tech; publishes deep research reports.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Greg Pryor](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greg-pryor-tnsc_the-2026-panc-top-30-influencers-category-activity-7483143744888815617-Zh1_) **Jonathan Ferrar**| Co-founder of Insight222| Co-author of _The Power of People_, a foundational book in People Analytics.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Greg Pryor](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greg-pryor-tnsc_the-2026-panc-top-30-influencers-category-activity-7483143744888815617-Zh1_) **Richard Rosenow**| Co-founder of Ikona Analytics| Known for technical expertise and advancing analytics methodologies.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Polinode](https://www.polinode.com/blog/panc-2026-influencers) **Patrick Coolen**| Partner at KennedyFitch| Recognized for vision and ideas in People Analytics strategy.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Polinode](https://www.polinode.com/blog/panc-2026-influencers) **Al Adamsen**| Founder of People Analytics & Future of Work| Runs influential events and communities in the field.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Greg Pryor](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greg-pryor-tnsc_the-2026-panc-top-30-influencers-category-activity-7483143744888815617-Zh1_) **Michael Arena**| Author & Academic| Focuses on organizational networks and innovation.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Greg Pryor](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greg-pryor-tnsc_the-2026-panc-top-30-influencers-category-activity-7483143744888815617-Zh1_) ## 🚀 Rising Stars (2026 PANC) If you want fresh perspectives and emerging voices, these professionals are gaining recognition: * **Madison Hanscom, Ph.D.** – Organizational psychologist bringing science-based insights. * **Sonali Kumar** – Rising leader in workforce analytics. * **Jordan Hartley** – Known for innovative approaches to HR data. * **Marcela Mury & Adele Malpert Leslie** – Emerging practitioners shaping applied analytics.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Greg Pryor](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greg-pryor-tnsc_the-2026-panc-top-30-influencers-category-activity-7483143744888815617-Zh1_) ## 📌 How to Engage * **LinkedIn** : Most of these influencers share regular updates, articles, and event invitations. * **Podcasts & Blogs**: David Green’s _People Analytics Podcast_ and RedThread Research reports are excellent ongoing resources. * **Communities** : Follow initiatives like _Insight222_ and _People Analytics World_ for events and networking.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Polinode](https://www.polinode.com/blog/panc-2026-influencers) ## ⚠️ Key Considerations * **Avoid echo chambers**: Don’t just follow one or two voices - balance established experts with rising stars. * **Practical vs. academic**: Some leaders (like Matthew Diabes at NYU) focus on research, while others (like Richard Rosenow) emphasize applied practice. Choose based on your learning goals.[Top 20 People Analytics Influencers and more from the PANC | Polinode](https://www.polinode.com/blog/top-20-people-analytics-influencers-and-more-from-the-panc) * **Global perspectives**: The PANC highlights country-specific influencers - consider following leaders from different regions to understand diverse approaches.[The 2026 PANC: Top 30 Influencers, Category Leaders, and Rising Stars in People Analytics | Andrew Pitts | 45 comments](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andrewjpitts_the-2026-panc-top-30-influencers-category-activity-7483128797861433344-S7a9) 👉 Would you like me to create a **curated “starter list” of LinkedIn profiles and podcasts** so you can begin following them right away? That way, you’ll have a practical roadmap to dive into People Analytics learning.

To accelerate your learning in **People Analytics** , following the right thought leaders, practitioners, and researchers on platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) is one of the best ways to stay up to date on trends, metrics, and data-driven HR strategies. The key experts and thought leaders to follow include: ### 1\. The Global Voices & Strategists * **David Green:** Executive Director at Insight222 and host of the popular _Digital HR Leaders_ podcast. He is arguably the most prominent global voice in people analytics, regularly sharing interviews, articles, and practical case studies. [7 People Analytics Experts HR Professionals Should Follow](https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/people-analytics/articles/7-people-analytics-experts-hr-professionals-should-follow#:~:text=Follow%20him%20on%20Twitter.%20*%20David%20Green.,of%20Enterprise%20Surveys%20and%20Analytics%20at%20Perceptyx.) * **Erik van Vulpen:** Founder of the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR). He focuses heavily on translating people analytics into practical skills for HR professionals through frameworks and visual guides. [7 People Analytics Experts HR Professionals Should Follow](https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/people-analytics/articles/7-people-analytics-experts-hr-professionals-should-follow#:~:text=With%20that%20in%20mind%2C%20here%20are%20some,analytics%20can%20be%20applied%20to%20their%20organizations.) * **Jonathan Ferrar:** A globally respected speaker, author, and consultant who focuses on the intersection of people analytics, workforce planning, and organizational design. ### 2\. The Operational & Technical Practitioners * **Richard Rosenow:** A prominent people analytics leader (formerly at Uber) who writes extensively on operational analytics, data science application, and workforce planning. He also runs widely followed resource/job boards for the community. [7 People Analytics Experts HR Professionals Should Follow](https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/people-analytics/articles/7-people-analytics-experts-hr-professionals-should-follow#:~:text=Try%20watching%20this%20video%20on%20www.youtube.com%2C%20or,follow%20him%20on%20Twitter.%20*%20Mostafa%20Azzam.) * **Cole Napper:** Known for his deep-dive commentary on metrics, statistical applications in HR, and predictive analytics. He frequently shares actionable insights on how to build data infrastructure. * **Lexy Martin:** A veteran researcher and people analytics expert associated with Visier. She is a great follow for macro-trends, benchmark data, and labor market insights derived from large datasets. [7 People Analytics Experts HR Professionals Should Follow](https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/people-analytics/articles/7-people-analytics-experts-hr-professionals-should-follow#:~:text=A%20regular%20contributor%20to%20the%20HR%20Exchange,it%20LinkedIn%20or%20Twitter.%20*%20Keith%20McNulty.) ### 3\. Data Science & Storytelling Specialists * **Keith McNulty:** A data science expert and leader at McKinsey & Company who frequently posts about the technical side of analytics, including tools like R, network analysis, and advanced data math tailored for HR. [7 People Analytics Experts HR Professionals Should Follow](https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/people-analytics/articles/7-people-analytics-experts-hr-professionals-should-follow#:~:text=A%20people%20analytics%20expert%20and%20researcher%20for,to%20articles%20and%20updates%20on%20data%20tools.) * **Thisie Schisler Do / Sonali Kumar (and other enterprise practitioners):** Following practitioners working inside major organizations (like Nike, CVS, and tech firms) gives you a realistic lens on how analytics are applied day-to-day to solve corporate challenges. ### Suggested Next Steps In addition to following these experts, consider checking out resources like David Green’s _Digital HR Leaders Podcast_ , joining groups via the _Society for People Analytics_ , or exploring structured courses from platforms like AIHR or Wharton (via Coursera) if you want hands-on technical training. [7 People Analytics Experts HR Professionals Should Follow](https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/people-analytics/articles/7-people-analytics-experts-hr-professionals-should-follow#:~:text=Follow%20him%20on%20Twitter.%20*%20David%20Green.,of%20Enterprise%20Surveys%20and%20Analytics%20at%20Perceptyx.) Are you currently working in HR and looking to build technical data skills (like Excel or Power BI), or are you approaching this from a business leadership perspective?

Diving into **People Analytics** (also called workforce or HR analytics) is an exciting move - it sits right at the intersection of data science, psychology, and business strategy. To get a comprehensive, practical, and cutting-edge view of the field, follow these leading practitioners, thought leaders, and researchers: * **David Green** - The definitive voice in the space. He is the Executive Director at Insight222 and hosts the Digital HR Leaders Podcast. Follow him on LinkedIn and subscribe to his newsletter for deep dives into real-world case studies, data-driven HR, and guest interviews with global analytics leaders. [Top 20 People Analytics Influencers and more from the PANC](https://www.polinode.com/blog/top-20-people-analytics-influencers-and-more-from-the-panc) * ** _Josh Bersin_** - A massive global influencer and industry analyst in corporate HR and talent technology. His company, The Josh Bersin Company, regularly publishes macro-level research on how people analytics fits into broader corporate tech, AI, and organizational design. [Polinode] * ** _Alexis Fink_** - A pioneer in the field with executive experience leading workforce strategy and people analytics at heavy-hitters like Intel, Microsoft, and Meta (plus serving as Chair of the i4cp People Analytics Board). She offers an enterprise-grade perspective on scaling analytics and operationalizing research. * ** _Stacia Garr_ & _RedThread Research_** - Co-founder of RedThread Research, Stacia is exceptional at breaking down empirical research regarding HR trends, diversity analytics, and skills-based talent strategies. * ** _Al Adamsen_** - Founder of the People Analytics & Future of Work (PAFOW) community. He focuses heavily on the strategic, ethical, and value-creating aspects of utilizing data to improve the employee experience and business results. * ** _Heather Whiteman_** - A professor at the University of Washington and a consultant who bridges the gap between academic rigor (I-O psychology) and practical business application. Excellent to follow if you want to understand the "how-to" of applied data science in HR. [Polinode] Great Podcasts and Communities to Follow * **Digital HR Leaders (by David Green)** - The premier podcast interviewing global heads of people analytics. * **Directionally Correct** - A specialized people analytics podcast featuring practitioners _Cole Napper_ , _Al Adamsen_ , and others hashing out the real-world operational challenges of the field. [The best HR & People Analytics articles of March 2026](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/best-hr-people-analytics-articles-march-2026-david-green--dsnve) Are you looking to learn People Analytics from a **technical/data science angle** (R, Python, statistics), or more from a **strategic/HR leadership perspective**? I can tailor recommendations further based on your goal!