Dr. Alex Alonso, PhD

Dr. Alexander Alonso, PhD, SHRM-SCP, is SHRM's Chief Data & Insights Officer leading intelligence, insights, and innovation functions, as well as SHRM's data monetization initiatives.  As leader of SHRM’s Research & Insights business units, his total career portfolio has been based upon practical thought leadership designed to make better workplaces and to grow revenue across industry.

Alonso’s thought leadership has been recognized through various bodies, including as an inaugural member of SHRM’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Racial Equity in the Workplace, a coalition designed to foster equitable and inclusive cultures.  His research has been featured in numerous media outlets including USA Today, NBC News, BBC, CNN, and more.  He has served as a member of several speaker’s bureaus with more than 400 speaking engagements during the last decade.

His works have been recognized for their contribution to real-world human capital issues.  They include being recognized with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (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, including The Price of Pettiness, Talking Taboo: Making the Most of Polarizing Topics, Unsung Heroes: The Untold Story of HR Making a Difference (just released), and Defining HR Success: A Guide to the SHRM Competency Model in Practice.  Alex also serves as a columnist analyzing major trends in the workforce for TIP and HR Magazine.

He has served on several professional society boards, including roles as President for the Personnel Testing Council of Metropolitan Washington Area.  Alex currently serves on the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s Defense Business Board (DBB), the North American HR Management Association (NAHRMA) Board, and the Zeal Capital Advisory Board.  He is a Fellow of SIOP, Division 14 of the American Psychological Association.