June 13, 2025 Executive Compensation Human Capital Management Articles

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Human Capital Management

Expanding the Board’s Human Capital Skill Set

Published June 13, 2025
Published June 13, 2025

Attracting and retaining high-level talent is crucial for ensuring long-term organizational sustainability, resulting in human capital management (HCM) becoming a key area of board oversight.

In our analysis of corporate governance structures in 2024, Semler Brossy found that more than half of the boards in the S&P 100 have expanded their compensation committee charters to reflect this growing focus. As the board’s scope expands, so should the skill sets and experiences required of directors.

Skill Sets Are Diversifying

Until recently, most board members were former CEOs, chief financial officers (CFOs), government officials, or nonprofit heads. Our recent analysis of S&P 100 data, however, shows that many boards now have at least one member with a background in technology (86%), sales or marketing (49%), cybersecurity (38%), and risk management (58%), as well as industry-specific skills.

Crucially, more than one-third of boards (36%) now have members with HCM experience. This includes former chief human resources officers (CHROs), chief operating officers, or executives from talent-focused organizations. HCM expertise on boards in every sector indicates that the benefits are considered industry agnostic, as stronger talent strategies can benefit businesses in every sector.

View the full article as it was originally published.

Blair Jones

Blair Jones

Managing Director

Blair Jones has 30 years of executive compensation consulting experience. She has worked extensively across industries and has deep expertise in advising boards on company transitions, significant investor concerns, and an expanding human capital management mandate. Before joining Semler Brossy, Blair was the practice leader in Leadership Performance and Rewards at Sibson and an Associate Consultant at Bain & Company.

Blair holds the designations of Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), and Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP). Since 2013, Blair has consistently been named to the D100, NACD Directorship Magazine’s annual list of the most influential people in the boardroom. Blair currently serves on the Mohawk Valley Health System board and leads its Women’s Giving Circle, helping direct philanthropic support to community health initiatives. She also serves on the advisory board for M3 Placement & Partnership.

Of Interest

Consistently named to the D100, NACD Directorship Magazine’s annual list of the most influential people in the boardroom community, including directors, corporate governance experts, regulators, and advisors, since 2013.

Industry Experience

  • Retail
  • Consumer Products
  • Automotive
  • Companies Undergoing Transformation
  • Aerospace and Defense
  • Healthcare
  • Fortune 100 Companies
  • Turnarounds

Featured In

  • Workspan
  • Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
  • NACD Directorship Magazine
  • Equilar C-Suite
  • Corporate Board Member
  • Agenda
  • The Corporate Board
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Bloomberg
  • Directors & Boards
  • The Conference Board
  • NASPP

Authored Insights

Todd Sirras

Todd Sirras

Managing Director

Todd Sirras joined SBCG in 2002 and was named Managing Director in 2005. Prior to Semler Brossy he was a Senior VP in Bank of America’s Asset  Management Group and a trader in listed equity options for O’Connor & Associates. He is a graduate of NYU Stern School of Business, the University of Virginia, and Phillips Exeter Academy.

Industry Experience

  • All Industries
  • Financial Services
  • Fintech

Featured In

  • Bank Director
  • NACD Directorship Magazine
  • Equilar C-Suite
  • Corporate Board Member

Authored Insights

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