
Is People Analytics Ready to be CHRO & Executive Search - Jennifer Wilson - #169
From Directionally Correct, A People Analytics Podcast by WRKdefined Podcast Network
April 20, 2026 · 51 min
About this episode
Jennifer Wilson discusses the evolving role of the CHRO and the increasing expectations for HR leadership.
Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect ! Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Jennifer Wilson, Partner and Global Co-Head, HR Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles! In this wide-ranging and deeply practical conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Jennifer Wilson to unpack how the role of the Chief Human Resources Officer is evolving in real time—and why the expectations for HR leadership have never been higher. Jennifer shares her unconventional path into executive search, describing how her early career in consulting and global work across Hong Kong and the US shaped her perspective on leadership, organizational design, and the human side of business transformation. What emerges is a clear view of executive search not just as recruiting, but as a front-row seat to how leadership itself is changing. A major theme throughout the discussion is the rapid expansion of the CHRO role. Drawing on research from Heidrick & Struggles, Jennifer explains how the number of required capabilities for CHROs…
People in this episode
Host: Cole Napper
Guest: Jennifer Wilson
Topics covered
- People Analytics
- CHRO Role
- Executive Search
- Leadership
- Organizational Design
- Business Transformation
Keywords
- People Analytics
- CHRO
- Executive Search
- Leadership
- Organizational Design
- HR Leadership
- Business Strategy
Sponsors
HRBench
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Heidrick & Struggles
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