Embracing Change and Innovation, HR Tech 2025 Sets a New Standard for the HR Tech Community
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This year’s audience reflected a notable shift toward greater seniority and purchasing influence among HR practitioners. Nearly 90 percent reported having a role in purchasing HR technology, with one in four holding final approval authority. Executive-level participation also increased, with senior vice president and executive vice president of HR roles more than doubling and vice president titles rising 25 percent year-over-year – a reflection of how HR and business leaders have become directly involved in technology decision-making for today’s rapidly changing workplace.
Ahead of HR Tech’s official opening, on Monday, September 15, HR Executive hosted the first-ever HR Icons Awards evening. From the previously announced finalists, two winners were named in each of the six categories: one for HR teams at large employers, and one for HR teams at smaller organizations, specifically those with fewer than 10,000 employees. Here are the winners:
Team of the Year: Excellence in HR Transformation
- Avery Dennison
- Banc of California
Best Workplace Culture
- Dow
- Sequoia Living
Excellence in Employee Engagement
- Dow
- LRS
Excellence in HR Tech Innovation and AI
- Johnson Controls International
- Fortitude Re
Excellence in Talent Development (Learning & Development)
- Marriott
- Cornerstone
Excellence in Talent Strategy
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Banc of California
In addition, HR Executive announced Paradox’s Immersive Job Previews tool as the winner of the Excellence in HR Tech Innovation award, which is part of the annual Top HR Products competition. Twelve solutions were selected earlier this year as the 2025 Top HR Products. The HR Icons Awards evening also recognized other 2025 award winners, including HR Executive of the Year Donna Morris of Walmart; HR Leader of Distinction Paige Ross of Blackstone; and five Rising Stars: Prerna Ajmera of Microsoft, Drew Howell of Amazon, Mai Lan Nguyen of Schneider Electric, Gabrielle Rodman of Dell and Sarah Tilley of ServiceNow.
“HR Tech 2025 was more than a conference – it was a testament to the power of our HR community. Everyone, from our speakers, exhibitors and attendees, was engaged and excited about what was happening and what was to come. Bringing together thousands of members across the HR technology ecosystem, we saw a significant rise in senior HR leaders and decision-makers – a clear signal that technology strategy is a top priority for organizations,” said Katherine Childress, vice president, HR Community, Media and Events, for Arc network. “This year’s theme of ‘Be the Change’ came to life in every keynote, session and conversation, as leaders look for ways to reimagine the future of work and take action. The excitement we witnessed in Las Vegas makes it clear that the HR tech community continues to lead meaningful transformation.”
HR Tech will return October 20-22, 2026, to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.