Elissa Tucker

Elissa Tucker is a human capital management researcher, writer, and advisor who believes that objective research and data-driven insights can drive improvements in organizational performance and employee well-being. With a passion for listening, learning, and helping people and organizations reach their full potential, she approaches every project with curiosity, critical thinking, and a strong desire to make an impact. She loves connecting with HR and business leaders, asking thoughtful questions, challenging assumptions, and exploring new ways of thinking about work. Her favorite part of the process is spotting patterns in data, uncovering meaningful trends, and turning those insights into practical guidance others can use immediately. 

Before joining APQC, Elissa worked as a senior research consultant at Hewitt Associates (now Aon), where she supported Fortune 500 companies on a wide range of workforce challenges. That early experience shaped her approach to research: staying grounded in real conversations, asking better questions, and never losing sight of the people behind the data. She later co-edited and contributed to the book, Workforce Wake-Up Call: Your Workforce Is Changing, Are You?, which further reinforced her commitment to translating research into actionable strategies. 

At APQC, Elissa has completed studies on HR strategy, workforce planning, recruiting, learning, and employee engagement. She designs research projects, conducts interviews with HR leaders, analyzes workforce data, and distills insights into practical tools that organizations can implement immediately. Her writing appears regularly in top HR publications, including Human Resource Executive, SHRM’s HR Magazine, and Strategic HR Review. 

Elissa sees research as a tool for change. She believes the best insights come from asking the right questions, listening carefully, and applying findings in ways that truly make a difference. Whether she’s writing a report, leading a study, or simply having a conversation, she’s always looking for ways to help others think differently, act intentionally, and improve the way people and organizations work together.