Thanksgiving Reflections

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to love Thanksgiving because it forces me to pause and reflect, on life, who I am, what shaped me, and what I’m grateful for.

I’m excited about my daughter coming home from college in D.C. And my sister, who’s traveling from Dallas. My daughter has already requested food I didn’t even realize she appreciated (!!): roasted salmon, beef roast, pho (yes, imagine!), sukuma wiki (sautéed collard greens), and Kenyan chapatis from scratch instead of restaurant-bought. I’m not a cook by any means, but when your child asks for the few things you do make, you say yes.

Who am I?
I’m the daughter of a hardworking farmer, my grandfather. He was an educated man, but life’s circumstances and limited resources kept him from going as far as he could have. He was brilliant though – curious, always reading. He never said the words “I love you,” but I know now how much he did. He had a vision for me, for all of us grandkids. A desire for a better life. I’m forever grateful for his love and for the vision he had for what my life could be.

I define myself as a mother. Kenyan. A Kikuyu (my tribe). My grandfather’s child.

Wishing you a warm Thanksgiving filled with family, laughter, and all the traditional foods and moments that make this season special.

With gratitude,
Leah 🧡

The values I learned from my grandfather – curiosity, hard work, and vision – guide everything I do, especially in helping HR leaders reimagine how technology can serve people better.

In Case You Missed It: HR Tech & AI Updates

Here are three takeaways from this year’s HR Tech Conference and our October Recap Webinar – trends that continue to shape how HR leaders think about technology, AI, and strategy heading into 2026.

AI ROI starts with people.
Companies that pair AI investment with workforce development – training, redeploying, upskilling, and redesigning jobs, see up to 30% higher revenue growth than peers. (PWC CEO Survey, shared by Josh Bersin)

Payroll is next on the move.
1 in 3 organizations plan to replace their payroll system in 2026, according to the Sapient Insights Group 2025 Survey. With M&A activity, new vendors, and AI-driven tools reshaping the market, it’s a good time to assess what’s working, what’s not, and what to ask before your next upgrade.

HR’s strategic perception is still uneven.
While 55% of CEOs view HR as a strategic arm of the business, only 35% of IT and 23% of Finance feel the same. (Sapient Insights Group 2025 Survey) It’s worth asking – how does your organization see HR’s role?

If you’d like to compare ideas, explore your HR tech approach, or talk through what’s next, we’d love to connect.

👉🏾 Contact us

Deep Dive: Benefits × AI: Solving for the Human Variable

When we talk about AI in HR, benefits rarely lead the conversation. They’re complex, regulated, and deeply personal. This is exactly where thoughtful transformation has the most potential.

This series began by asking why AI is lagging in benefits. From there, we’ve been unpacking the roots of today’s complexity – starting in World War II when fringe benefits took hold. Then following how policy, vendors, and workplace shifts layered on over time. We’re not claiming to have all the answers. We’re exploring the “why” — and identifying where AI could responsibly fit within the benefits ecosystem. Before full automation is even possible, we need clarity on where it belongs, what should remain human, and how regulation will shape what’s next. The goal is to understand where AI can truly add value, and where we need guardrails first.

So far, we’ve explored:

• Setting the Stage – Why I’m Writing This Series

• Why Is AI Lagging in Benefits?

• Where It All Began – How History Still Shapes the Systems We Use Today

Next up - Post 3.5: The Rise of the Modern Workforce – From Fringe Benefits to the Era of Security
The 1950s promised stability; the 1960s challenged it. As the workforce diversified and careers became less linear, benefits policy stretched. And those seams are still visible today.

Follow the series → 

What We’re Talking About

Featured Publication: HR Executive
This month, I’m excited to share that my article, “4 Hidden Pitfalls of Open Enrollment: Why HR Leaders Keep Struggling (and How to Fix It),” was published in HR Executive.

In it, I explore what I’ve seen across dozens of Open Enrollment projects, why even the most capable HR teams continue to face the same challenges, and how defining clear ownership can make the difference between confusion and confidence. You can read the full article here: Read it on HR Executive →

For me, this piece is about more than the process itself. It’s a reminder that Open Enrollment success is not just about systems or deadlines, but about leadership, accountability, and clear communication across every team involved.

Culture isn’t built in meetings or policies,
it’s shaped in everyday moments.
Our latest piece looks at how those quiet choices
and shared habits define the tone of an organization
far more than any handbook ever could.

Past Webinars

In Case You Missed These

Here to Help 

At HCM Tech Advisory, we combine deep HR, benefits, and technology expertise with the analytical rigor that comes from an actuarial background. We help leaders solve complex people and system challenges — whether that means selecting the right HR tech vendor, implementing a new platform, or optimizing benefits administration.

Our goal is to help you build a sustainable, successful business. We tailor every engagement to ensure your HR technology decisions align with your organization’s goals and culture. With HCM Tech Advisory by your side, you can confidently tackle your biggest challenges and make decisions that drive long-term success.

Let’s work together to find solutions that empower your organization to thrive.

Let’s connect »