10 Inspiring HR Consultants Transforming Workplaces in 2025

The function of Human Resources has never been more pertinent than it is today. Entering 2025, workplace changes are operating at an unprecedented pace, with emerging technologies, a varied work culture, and an overwhelming emphasis on employee well-being. Against this dynamic backdrop, HR consultants and HR Consulting Firms are changing into a trusted tribe of advisers who help the organization adapt, grow, and prosper. They are solving people's challenges and, at the same time, setting strong foundations for the future of work.

Whether going from establishing inclusive policies to improving engagement with the help of Employee Engagement Consultants, to introducing Digital HR Solutions and leadership development, HR consultants are working through various aspects to bring essential change in how organizations function. They bring to the table fresh ideas, in-depth industry knowledge, and a people-first approach that truly drives Workplace Transformation and innovation.

This article highlights ten inspiring HR consultants who are shaping workplaces in 2025. Each one of them is making a difference by redefining talent management, advocating for diversity, and aligning businesses toward the needs of their workforces. What is clear from their work is that with people empowered, organizations can achieve enduring success.

1. Josh Bersin, CEO, The Josh Bersin Company –
Josh Bersin is Founder and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company and is a global job reshaper and human resources thinker. He also serves as Dean of The Josh Bersin Academy, a premier professional development platform for human resources and learning professionals. As an industry analyst, author, and educator, he brings to focus talent, leadership, workplace technologies, and the future of work, making him one of the most respected HR Technology Consultants today. His company delivers research and advisory services, while his academy provides advanced HR leaders with actionable skills and insights for organizational growth and innovation worldwide.
 

2. Yaarit Silverstone, Reinvention Executive Advisor Vice Chair, Senior Managing Director, Global Strategy, Accenture –
Yaarit Silverstone is Senior Managing Director and Reinvention Executive Advisor Vice Chair at Accenture, and helps companies globally through transformations. She has 30-plus years in the consulting field, partnering with C-Suite leaders to design and implement strategies to strengthen talent, leadership, and organizational growth. She is widely recognized for her leadership and inspiration of teams, and her expertise places her among the leading HR Transformation Consultants shaping global organizations. Yaarit leads Accenture's Global Talent and Organization Strategy practice to assist organizations in reinventing themselves through technology and human capital transformation.
 

3. Heather Doshay, Partner & Head of Talent, SignalFire –
Heather Doshay is a Partner and Head of Talent at SignalFire. Her forte is advising founders and leadership teams in forming high-performing organizations. Being a three-time career changer, she has worked in several fields, all focused on helping people and companies realize their big goals: university administration, tech startups, and venture capital. Earlier, she was the VP of People at Webflow, where she scaled the team from 2 to 35 employees, practically demonstrating growth capacity. Recognized for her strengths in talent and people strategy, Heather is a highly respected voice within CPOHQ, PeopleTech Partners, and Forbes HR Council.

4. Anthony Abbatiello, Partner and Workforce Transformation Practice Leader, PwC –
Anthony Abbatiello joined PwC as Partner and Workforce Transformation Practice Leader, where he helps organizations align workforce strategies with business strategy in areas such as talent, skills, organizational design, and AI. With over 25 years of human capital consulting experience, he stands out as one of the top HR Management Consultants with expertise in workforce strategy and leadership. Recognized as a thought leader on the future of work, he has sponsored executive leadership meetings, large research programs, seminars, and publications on emerging workforce trends. Prior to PwC, he held leadership positions at Russell Reynolds Associates, Deloitte, and Accenture, building hands-on experience in HR transformation and business growth.

5. Madhurjya Barua, Executive Director (HR&FA), Oil India Limited –
Madhurjya Barua, Executive Director (HR & Field Administration) at Oil India Limited, has nearly 35 years of experience in the energy sector. Of course, he is a former international badminton player who carries the same discipline and focus of that sport into his leadership role. At Oil India, he is working on exciting HR transformation initiatives aimed at making the workforce more agile and conscious of the energy transition. He is a critical thinker and a good multitasker and, at the same time, an experienced hands-on leader whose vision guides the development of a resilient workforce oriented toward the future.

6. Jason Averbook, Senior Partner and Global Leader of Digital HR Strategy, Mercer –
Jason Averbook is Senior Partner and Global Leader of Digital HR Strategy at Mercer, positioning him as a pioneer among Workplace Strategy Consultants and Digital HR Solutions experts. Across his 25-plus years of working at the HR and technology intersection, he has earned recognition as an author, analyst, and keynote speaker on the future of work. Verbook leads Mercer's global Generative AI strategy, focusing on technology as a vehicle for employee experience. Formerly, he co-founded Leapgen and Knowledge Infusion, helping companies rethink HR as a true strategic partner.

7. Surender Mehta, Chief Human Resource Officer, Nykaa –
Surender Mehta is the CHRO at Nykaa, with over 25 years of HR leadership encompassing diverse industries: e-commerce, IT, telecom, hospitality, and manufacturing. A culture enthusiast, he specializes in inclusion and talent vitality, planning people strategies for multinational and family-owned firms. Prior to Nykaa, in 2020, he held top-level HR roles at Vodafone India Services and ITC Hotels and was also a board member with Vodafone India. A Harvard AMP alumnus, Mehta is reputed for building high-performance cultures and advancing diversity and inclusion within organizations.

8. Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer, Workweek –
Hebba Youssef is the Chief People Officer at Workweek and Founder of "I Hate It Here," a rapidly growing platform for supporting HR and People Operations pros through a newsletter, podcast, and online community. She has built People Ops teams from scratch and has supported companies in scaling strong cultures anchored on inclusivity. Hebba is well known for her engaging LinkedIn content, where she provides practical insights on leadership, culture, and HR tech. Through this work, Hebba Youssef empowers teams to build workplaces where people are valued and uplifted.

9. Pooja Mehta Kumar, Chief HR & Ops Officer, Redbrick Offices –
Pooja Mehta Kumar merges a precision approach to planning with a message that puts people at the center of everything to create successful workplaces at Redbrick Offices. Pooja has amassed over 24 years of experience after graduating from IIM Calcutta, during which time she has converted over 2.5 million sq. ft. of workspace across India into vibrant centers of culture and collaboration. Known for her operational excellence and great interest in employee experience, she is also recognized as one of India’s standout Human Resource Consultants, driving culture and compliance at scale.

10. Keith Joughin, Partner, PA Consulting –
Keith Joughin is a Partner at PA Consulting and leads the Global People & Change team for Public Services. His 22-plus years of consulting experience cover various UK government departments in policing, justice, health, defence, and education. Before PA, he spent 17 years at Accenture, ending in as Managing Director of numerous consulting practices. Keith is an expert in large-scale business transformation, workforce strategy, and learning. He champions skills and culture and thrives in leading through uncertainty, aiding organisations to adapt and prosper amid fast-paced world change.

As we look ahead, HR consultants are playing a vital role in shaping the workplaces of tomorrow. The leaders featured here demonstrate how people-focused strategies, innovation, and inclusion can transform organizations into spaces of growth and collaboration. By combining expertise with empathy, they are not only addressing today’s workforce challenges but also laying strong foundations for the future. Their work proves that when people thrive, businesses succeed, making HR consultancy an essential force in building resilient, future-ready organizations.