Chris Hester specializes in helping clients make strategic decisions in their HR technology transformation journeys. He has three areas of research and advisory focus: AI in HR, People Analytics, and cloud HCM vendor suites (including selection, and implementation).
AI in HR: He advises clients on use cases for AI in HR; use cases for Generative AI in HR; impact of AI on HR; impact of Generative AI on jobs and the workforce; primary vendors for Generative AI in HR; HR virtual assistants and chatbots; governance structures for AI in HR; AI for HR roadmap planning; piloting AI for HR use cases/technologies; data management for AI in HR; AI-enabled skills management technologies; leveraging Machine Learning in HR
People Analytics: He advises clients on HR Data Governance strategies; HR Data Privacy best practices; data warehousing/data lake structures; Incorporating data for non-HR systems; Defining and tracking key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of HR initiatives
Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) Vendor Suites: He advises organizations on the trends in these markets, assessing the technology solutions in these markets, and the leading practices in optimally adopting those solutions. Chris also offers perspective on vendor selection and implementation best practices while also providing guidance on HR Technology team best practices, organizational structures, and steady-state preparedness.
As the Executive Director, HR Technology and Data Strategy with Comcast, Chris led global HR technology, analytics, and experience strategy – transforming core HR functions through innovation, data-driven insights, and system optimization to enhance workforce scalability. He managed HR technology, data exchange, user experience, HR data governance/privacy and reporting functions, directing a team of 40+ (both onshore and offshore).
Prior to this role, Chris led HR technology solutions for Talent, Recruiting, and Learning across the Comcast footprint, driving system enhancements, project delivery, process optimization, and enterprise-wide technology strategy for these critical HR COEs. In this role and the one prior with Capital One, Chris gained wide exposure to recruiting methodologies, recruiting operations, and recruiting technology (including AI).
Chris has extensive experience with Workday steady-state operations and has been the HR technology lead for 4 global Workday rollouts. He is well connected to the Workday product teams and internal infrastructure.
Chris has significant experience with vendor selection (RFI/RFP) and ongoing vendor management for HR platforms and 3rd party outsourcing relationships.
Chris has been actively involved with defining approaches for HR AI governance and tasked with implementing HR AI solutions. Adjacent to this area of expertise, Chris has deep experience with HR Data Governance, HR Data Privacy, and HR Analytics.
Accenture, Manager, HR Consulting, 5 years
Capital One, Director, HR Technology and Strategy, 11 years
Capital One, Director, Talent Shared Services and Technology, 4 years
Capital One, Senior Manager, HR Quality Assurance and Release Management, 3 years
Comcast, Executive Director, HR Technology and Data Strategy, 2 years
Comcast, Senior Director, Talent and Learning Solutions, 3 years
HR Technology Strategy, Transformation and Management
Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC
What use cases exist for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in HR?
What is the impact of Generative AI on Jobs & the workforce?
What use cases exist for generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in HR?
What are recommended HR Tech Team setups/structures?
HR Data Privacy and Data Governance/AI-Ready HR Data