In this special episode of HR insights, Stuart Elliott is joined by Ilona Jurkiewicz and Roshan Jayawardena to draw on insights from their recently published white paper, ‘Evolving skillsets of HR leaders’, which combines qualitative interviews with over 80 HR leaders and quantitative data. They explore how the HR function is rapidly evolving in response to significant external forces such as technological advancements and political uncertainty, and how the expectations of HR professionals have expanded far beyond traditional responsibilities. Today’s HR leaders are increasingly expected to drive commercial outcomes, lead digital and AI initiatives, and navigate complex, people-centred challenges across global organisations.
The discussion highlights a shift in the essential skill set for HR professionals. Alongside data fluency, business acumen, and executive presence, human-centric skills like empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence remain critical, but must now be applied with greater nuance in an increasingly digital and hybrid world. They also address the growing difficulty of creating psychologically safe and inclusive environments, especially amid political polarisation and evolving definitions of inclusion.
Who are our guests?
Ilona Jurkiewicz is the President, Americas at Cappfinity. Ilona has over 16 years of executive experience driving HR strategy, culture evolution, and organisational growth across public Fortune 500, PE-backed private companies, and high-growth companies experiencing transformation. Ilona specializes in leading people-centred transformations that drive measurable business outcomes
Throughout her career, she has successfully scaled organisations globally, built world-class leadership ecosystems, navigated major acquisitions and divestitures, and architected cultures that empower innovation and performance.
Roshan Jayawardena is the Managing Director for Elliott Scott in North America, partnering with HR leaders across global financial services, professional services and multinational corporations to deliver specialist HR search and recruitment solutions.
With 15 years of experience in HR and executive search, Roshan brings a strategic, consultative, and relationship-driven approach to senior HR hiring. Roshan specialises in retained searches for senior HR appointments and his background as an HR Business Partner at General Electric gives him a unique understanding of the HR function, allowing him to advise on both immediate hiring needs and long-term talent strategies.
Key timestamps:
– 02:04 – Intro into Ilona
– 04:16 – Intro into Rosh
– 07:32 – The inspiration for the report
– 12:00 – The standout impacts of the research
– 18:53 – Hybrid working
– 21:50 – The evolving role of a CPO
– 30:25 – The struggle of implementing empathy, psychological safety and inclusion
– 35:50 – The impact of the political agenda in the US
– 39:20 – Is HR ready and prepared to lead on digital transformation?
– 48:50 – The potential dangers of AI
– 52:40 – Advice for mid career HR professionals becoming CPOs
Please download the whitepaper here for more data insights and the ever-chaging skills of HR leaders.
This episode is sponsored by our partners at Cappfinity. Cappfinity believes in a world where skills and potential create opportunity for all. They are global leaders in measuring and developing potential in Talent Acquisition & Talent Management with a focus on skills and strengths.
Through the Cappfinity Skills Suite® they provide skills-based Talent Acquisition and Management solutions across all levels and industries.
Their Talent Acquisition solutions range from pre-skilling to seamless onboarding – all the while delivering immersive, brand aligned and insightful experiences to their clients and their candidates.
Interested in their services? Please reach out to Celine.Floyd@cappfinity.com to book your demo today.
