People Analytics in Practice Series: What is People Analytics?
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the Society for People Analytics (SPA) launched the first installment of its People Analytics in Practice webinar series with an in-depth discussion on a foundational and often debated topic: What is People Analytics?
Moderated by Lydia Wu, Founder of Oops, Did I Think That Out Loud and Technology Chair at SPA, the session brought together six accomplished professionals representing a wide spectrum of the people analytics landscape—from academic research to global corporate practice.
Panelist Introductions
To set the stage, each panelist shared their unique career journey, reflecting the diverse entry points into the people analytics field:
Dr. Salvatore Falletta is a Professor at Drexel University and serves as the Research Chair at the Society for People Analytics. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Falletta’s career spans academia, corporate HR leadership, and organizational research. He is recognized for his expertise in workforce strategy and HR measurement and is the author of Creepy Analytics, a book that explores ethical boundaries in workforce data practices.
Dr. Alec Levenson is a Senior Research Scientist and Director at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California. Trained as an economist, Dr. Levenson transitioned into organizational behavior over three decades ago and has become a renowned thought leader in workforce strategy. His work bridges academic theory and real-world application, and he has co-authored several seminal books, including Strategic Analytics and Workforce Analytics.
Caitlin Gillespie is the Director of People Analytics Consulting at Visa. With a background in industrial-organizational psychology, Caitlin has spent more than a decade translating complex people data into business insights. She leads consulting and enablement efforts that empower HR teams to leverage data strategically across the organization.
Devin Stack is the Senior Manager of Talent Assessment at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Starting in IO psychology, Devin moved into people analytics with a focus on internal consulting, data strategy, and now leads talent assessment initiatives tied to leadership development and enterprise-wide succession planning.
Nicholas Timms is an Analyst at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Beginning his career in education consulting, Nick transitioned into people analytics and now supports BCG’s internal teams with organizational design, culture diagnostics, and workforce planning insights—bringing a fresh lens to the field.
So, What is People Analytics, Really?
Before diving into real-world application, the panel took a step back to explore the foundational question: What is people analytics?
Dr. Falletta described it as a dynamic, evolving process aimed at guiding workforce strategy through data and insights. He stressed the need to avoid narrow definitions and to remain open to diverse data sources and tools.
Dr. Levenson differentiated between people analytics as a function and as a broader discipline. He underscored the importance of integrating perspectives from economics, psychology, organizational strategy, and more—reminding attendees that true insight often lies beyond traditional data systems.
From Theory to Practice: A Day in the Life
The conversation shifted gears to reveal what people analytics looks like on the ground—what panelists actually do day-to-day:
Nick Timms partners with BCG consultants to deliver organizational insights tied to design, culture, and workforce trends. He stressed the importance of contextualizing findings and clearly articulating the “so what”—why the data matters and how it can inform real decisions.
Devin Stack applies analytics to leadership development and succession planning. His work focuses on data governance, program measurement, and stakeholder alignment. One of his unexpected yet critical responsibilities? Helping clarify program objectives—often a prerequisite for meaningful analysis.
Caitlin Gillespie leads a team at Visa that blends enablement and consulting. She works daily with HR business partners to guide dashboard usage and uncover opportunities for deeper, strategic analysis. Early in her career, Caitlin found herself repeatedly explaining her role—a common experience for professionals in emerging analytics functions.
Key Lessons: Communicating the “So What?”
Data alone isn’t enough. The panelists emphasized the importance of translating insights into business relevance—bridging the gap between analysis and action.
Recommendations included:
Start with potential outcomes and work backward to shape the analysis
Connect findings directly to financial or operational goals
Fill insight gaps with qualitative context
Revisit objectives early and often to ensure alignment
The Technical Side: What Do You Really Need to Know?
People analytics is often mistaken for a purely technical field. While tools and statistical knowledge are important, panelists agreed that asking the right questions and understanding business context are just as critical.
Top skills include:
Data wrangling and cleaning
Statistical analysis and research methods
Fluency with tools like Python, R, Tableau, Power BI, and Excel
Curiosity and storytelling
Systems thinking and HR operations
Ethical and honest insight delivery
Advice for learners:
Focus on one skill at a time and build depth
Apply your skills in real-world projects or roles
Use resources like edX, Coursera, or university workshops
AI & People Analytics: Amplifier or Distraction?
AI is changing how people analytics work gets done—but it’s not replacing human insight. The panelists agreed that AI should enhance our thinking, not replace it.
Best practices:
Use AI to speed up analysis, not to automate decisions
Prioritize transparency and ethics—favor “white box” over “black box” systems
Maintain a human-centered perspective
Think of AI as a teammate, not a shortcut
In Conclusion
This webinar offered a practical, grounded look into the field of people analytics. Panelists showed how diverse career paths, thoughtful questioning, and responsible technology use come together to drive real impact. Whether you're new to the field or an experienced practitioner, the message was clear: people analytics is about more than just data—it’s about decisions, context, and the people at the heart of every organization.
Get Involved with SPA
SPA is actively seeking members to contribute to its various initiatives. If you're passionate about people analytics and want to make a difference, visit societyforpeopleanalytics.org to learn more about how you can get involved.
