LinkedIn is full of people calling themselves thought leaders. Most are reposting the same AI hype or motivational quotes that add nothing to your day.

Then there are the recruiters, HR analysts, and talent strategists actually doing the work – running experiments, sharing what failed, explaining what changed and why it matters. They’re the ones breaking down which AI tools are worth the money, how to fix your candidate drop-off problem, and what top companies are quietly doing differently.

Here are 23 who consistently deliver.

1. Matt Charney

Talent Acquisition Analyst with Kyle & Co., Executive Editor at Mediabistro

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You don’t talk recruitment marketing without mentioning Matt Charney. As former editor-in-chief at Recruiter.com, he’s made a career connecting brand strategy with talent acquisition. His sharp insights and creative storytelling have earned him a seat at the table with some of the biggest names in the business. Whether redefining how brands attract talent or writing the playbook on recruitment innovation, Matt brings a candid voice that’s impossible to ignore.

2. Matt Alder

Host, The Recruiting Future Podcast, Talent Acquisition Futurist 

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Hosts one of the longest-running recruitment podcasts globally. His interviews dig into what’s actually changing in talent acquisition – from AI implementation to candidate experience – with guests who are doing the work, not just talking about it.

3. Chad Sowash & Joel Cheesman

Co-Founders & Co-Hosts, The Chad & Cheese Podcast

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HR’s most unfiltered voices. Chad’s depth in workforce development meets Joel’s sharp eye for HR tech, creating a podcast that doesn’t just report trends but challenges them. Their blend of humor and candid takes makes them essential listening for anyone tired of sanitized HR content

4. Joel Lalgee

Founder, The Realest Recruiter; Podcast Host

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Known as “The Realest Recruiter,” Joel has mastered recruitment for construction companies. He cuts through the noise with no-nonsense insights into talent acquisition, blending modern tech with tried-and-true methods. His ability to bridge innovation with practicality makes him a trusted voice for companies building teams fast.

5. William Tincup

Co-founder, WRKdefined; Venture Partner, Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners

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If HR had a “provocateur-in-chief,” it would be William Tincup. Over two decades, he’s mastered questioning the status quo in talent acquisition. As co-founder of WRKdefined and venture partner at Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, he dives into everything from onboarding to recruiting tech. Whether podcasting or advising startups, he brings sharp insight with refreshing humor.

6. Ben Eubanks

HR Tech Analyst, Bestselling Author and Speaker, Founder – HR Tech Awards

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Has spent over a decade turning HR tech chaos into clarity. His knack for simplifying complex talent technologies helps companies make smarter decisions. Whether analyzing trends or sharing insights on stage, Ben makes HR tech feel less like a maze and more like a map.

7. Carrie Corbin 

Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Hope Leigh Marketing Group

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Has spent her career turning recruitment marketing into a results-driven discipline. From shaping talent strategies at Dell and Samsung to leading Hope Leigh Marketing Group, Carrie aligns innovation with measurable outcomes. Whether championing diversity or mentoring leaders, her work sets the bar for effective recruitment strategies.

8. Gerry Crispin

Co-Founder, CareerXroads; Champion for Candidate Experience

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Has spent decades redefining talent acquisition by fostering collaboration and championing fairness. As co-founder of CareerXroads, he’s built a community where top TA leaders exchange ideas and challenge norms. He co-founded TalentBoard and the Candidate Experience Awards, setting industry benchmarks for treating candidates as partners.

9. Tim Sackett

President, HRU Technical Resources; Author, The Talent Fix

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Delivers no-nonsense insights with humor, making him a standout voice in recruitment. As author of The Talent Fix and a Top 10 Global HR Influencer, his expertise spans hiring strategies, employer branding, and talent tech. Through HRU Technical Resources, Tim translates complex challenges into practical solutions.

10. Serge Boudreau

CRO – Resume Wallet / CV Wallet; Anchor, The HR Morning Show

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Doesn’t just talk about recruitment – he questions it and pushes it forward. As the voice behind The Recruitment Flex Podcast, he’s reshaping talent acquisition in an AI-driven world. His unapologetic focus on quality over quantity cuts through the noise, offering recruiters insights that prioritize meaningful connections over filling seats.

11. Sven Elbert

Head Analyst Services, Fosway Group

Thrives at the intersection of data and decision-making. As Head Analyst Services at Fosway Group, he translates corporate and market insights into strategies that help organizations tackle HCM and talent challenges. His knack for distilling complexity into clarity has made him a go-to expert for workforce leaders.

12. Madeline Laurano

Founder, Aptitude Research

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Cuts through HR tech buzz to deliver research that matters. As founder of Aptitude Research, she focuses on what HR leaders really need – clear insights, measurable results, and technology that works. Her research tackles real-world challenges, equipping organizations with clarity and tools to navigate the future confidently.

13. Hung Lee

Founder & Curator, Recruiting Brainfood 

Active Platforms: Weekly podcast, newsletter,YouTube

Curates the most trusted weekly newsletter in recruiting – Recruiting Brainfood covers AI implementation, diversity strategies, sourcing tactics, and recruitment innovation you won’t find elsewhere. His “Open Kitchen” transparency approach has built massive credibility across the global recruiting community.​

14. Josh Bersin

Global Industry Analyst, Founder & CEO, The Josh Bersin Company

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The leading analyst in HR technology and talent management. His research became industry-standard at Deloitte.Now through the Josh Bersin Academy and his independent company, he provides actionable research on organizational strategy, talent management, and HR innovation.​

15. Liz Ryan

Founder & CEO, Human Workplace

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Advocates for human-centered recruiting with 2,500+ Forbes articles that generate millions of monthly views. Her focus on breaking traditional HR barriers and reinventing work for people makes her essential reading for anyone in talent acquisition leadership.​

16. Katrina Collier

Author & Facilitator, Robot-Proof Recruiter

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Specializes in fixing human connection issues in hiring and recruiter enablement in the AI age. Author of “The Robot-Proof Recruiter,” she speaks globally on ethical recruiting and helps talent teams become valued business partners, not just process operators.​

17. Johnny Campbell

CEO & Co-founder, SocialTalent

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Leads SocialTalent, a global platform used for recruiter training. His practical methodology covers sourcing, hiring excellence, and recruiter development. His practical training methodology has helped thousands of recruiters worldwide improve their skills and achieve better hiring outcomes.​

18. Meghan M. Biro

Founder & CEO, TalentCulture

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Hosts the #WorkTrends Podcast covering HR tech, talent management, and workplace culture. She’s collaborated with Microsoft, IBM, Google, and serves on multiple advisory boards for leading HR technology brands.​

19. Lou Adler

CEO & Founder, The Adler Group

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With 250K+ followers and 40+ years of recruiting expertise, Lou developed the Performance-based Hiring methodology now used by 40,000+ recruiters globally. He trains Fortune 500 companies on talent strategy and has established himself as the gold standard for performance-based hiring practices.​

20. Jan Tegze

Talent Acquisition Leader & Author, Full Stack Recruiter

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Expert in international recruiting, sourcing, and recruitment analytics. Published eight books and 600+ articles. His bestseller “Full Stack Recruiter” is the practical manual for recruiting professionals worldwide.

21. Craig Fisher

Recruitment Marketing & Employer Branding Expert; Founder, TalentNet Media

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With 100K+ followers and 20+ years in employer branding and recruitment strategy, Craig is the author of “Hiring Humans” and runs the largest recruiting conference series in the Southwest USA. His expertise in digital branding and talent acquisition strategy has been adopted as best practices globally.​

22. Amy Miller

Recruiting Manager, Amazon; YouTube Creator

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20+ years recruiting at Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Breaks recruiting myths through her YouTube series “AMA Friday with Amy Miller.” Her YouTube series “AMA Friday with Amy Miller” and engaging content have made her one of the most recognizable voices in tech recruiting.​

23. James Caan CBE

Founder & Chairman, Recruitment Entrepreneur

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30+ years scaling recruitment businesses to significant exits. Continues shaping the industry through investment and thought leadership.

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You don’t need to follow all 23 recruiting influencers in 2026. Pick the ones working on what you’re working on – AI implementation, employer branding, sourcing strategy, whatever’s broken in your process right now. Follow them and you’ll know what’s working before everyone else does.