As companies attempt to differentiate themselves by the caliber of their leaders, the battle for top-tier talent is at an all time high. And human resources officers are right at the forefront. Successful HR strategists must be proactive and forward thinking, translating corporate goals into effective human resource programs, driving growth, and creating coveted “best place to work”cultures. Increasingly, traditional, by-the-book HR executives are being replaced with strategic leaders who are board ready, understand the complex nuances of aligning talent and business strategy, and can leverage Big Data, manage complexity, and drive shareholder value – all while satisfying stakeholders and creating alignment across executive leadership teams.