Human Resource Leadership Forum

What Human Resource Leadership Forum does

Human Resource Leadership Forum (HRLF) is a private, Massachusetts-incorporated nonprofit membership organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Westford, MA (with a Boston office at 88 Black Falcon Ave, Boxborough at 85 Swanson Rd, and program venues at Bentley University and the Westin Boston Seaport). It serves a gated community of 300+ senior HR leaders across New England — Directors and above with 10-15+ years of HR experience — spanning public and private corporations, not-for-profits, academia, and consultancies. Its purpose is to combat executive isolation by providing peer networking, cutting-edge programming with named keynote speakers, an annual HRLF Ignite conference, the HR Leadership Awards (in honor of Bob Gatti plus 2026 additions for Rising HR Star and Vanguard), and the six-month, CHRO-mentored Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP).

HRLF's underlying technology is conventional association software: the YourMembership.com platform (in place since 1998) powers the website, member database, dues invoicing, event management, email marketing, and job board; HRLF Connected (a connectedcommunity.org instance) provides the member-only online community and member directory; and a Slack workspace serves as the always-on member channel. Social login is supported via LinkedIn and Facebook OAuth. There is no proprietary technology, no mobile app, no APIs, and no AI/ML capability. Programs carry SHRM Professional Development Credit (PDC) accreditation, which functions as a third-party certification lever for retention.

HRLF's business model is a hybrid subscription + event + sponsorship mix: individual memberships at $675/year, transition memberships at $325/year (effective 2025-08-01), corporate memberships at $1,200-$2,100/year for 2-5 leaders with volume discounts; the ELDP at $5,324 (member) / $5,999 (non-member, which includes membership) for the 2027 cohort; select paid event registrations (e.g., $199 for non-members at 'Uprooting Toxic Leadership'); and a tiered sponsorship book led by Platinum sponsors Babson Executive Education, Keystone Partners, Lockton, Nagler Group, and ClearRock, with Core sponsors including Sentinel Group, William James College, AON, and Benson Executive Search, plus Minor and past sponsors. Membership acquisition is community-led and event-driven: word-of-mouth, peer referrals, committee involvement (ELDP, Ignite, Marketing, Membership, Program, Sponsorship), and prospective-member attendance at monthly programs and Ignite.

Name

Human Resource Leadership Forum

Legal name

Human Resource Leadership Forum, Inc.

Website

https://hrlf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HRLF is a New England–focused, 300+ member nonprofit association founded in 1980 that delivers peer networking, monthly programs, the HRLF Ignite conference, the Executive Leadership Development Program, and the HR Leadership Awards to Director-level-and-above senior HR leaders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HR Professional Membership & Executive Development Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

HR Strategy & Operating Model Design (BPACAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

HR Service Delivery, Shared Services & HR Operating Model Advisory (BPACAJAE)

Keywords

• HR professional development
• Executive leadership programs
• HR membership association
• Senior HR networking
• Career transition support

Headquarters

HQ city

Westford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: HRLF generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues. Standard individual membership is priced at $675 per year for Internal Human Resources Executives and Senior HR Leaders. Transition membership (for those in active career transition) is priced at $325 per year. Membership automatically renews 12 months from join date or last renewal date.
2. Corporate Membership Dues: Corporate membership allows 2 to 5 leaders from the same company or organization at discounted rates. Pricing tiers: 2 members at $1,200 (save $150), 3 members at $1,500 (save $525), 4 members at $1,800 (save $900), 5 members at $2,100 (save $1,275). This provides volume pricing incentives for organizational enrollment.
3. Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP): The ELDP is a 6-month, 7-session program with separate pricing for members and non-members. 2027 pricing: Member at $5,324, Non-Member at $5,999 (includes one-year HRLF membership). Payment options and plans are available. This represents a significant non-dues revenue stream.
4. Event Registration Fees: Some events charge non-members for attendance. For example, the 'Uprooting Toxic Leadership' event charges non-members $199, while HRLF members attend at no charge. Free registration is offered for certain events to both members and non-members.
5. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors pay to gain visibility and access to HRLF's network of over 300 senior HR decision-makers. Sponsors include Babson Executive Education, Lockton, Keystone Partners, The Nagler Group, ClearRock, Sentinel Group, AON, Benson Executive Search, William James College, and others. Sponsorship provides brand visibility, credibility, and cross-sector recognition among HR professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HRLF is a nonprofit membership association operating a subscription-based community for senior HR leaders (Director level and above) in New England. It sells annual individual and corporate memberships, a 6-month Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) for aspiring CHROs/CPOs, paid admission to flagship events such as the HRLF Ignite annual conference, and corporate sponsorship packages that give suppliers access to its network of 300+ HR decision-makers.

Product overview

HRLF operates as a membership organization offering a unified platform of professional development and networking services for senior HR leaders in New England. The core offering includes membership access to a 300+ member network, combined with structured programs such as the Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), the annual HRLF Ignite Conference, and the HR Leadership Awards. Supplementary digital services include HRLF Connected (online community), a specialized HR Job Board, program recordings, and a monthly newsletter. Members can also participate on various operating committees. The organization does not offer a software-as-a-service product but rather serves as a community and thought leadership hub for HR executives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HRLF Membership (Individual, Corporate, Transition tiers) Annual subscription granting access to a network of 300+ senior HR leaders in New England, monthly speaker programs, the online community (HRLF Connected), the job board, member directory, and committee engagement. Individual tier is $675/year, Corporate tiers cover 2–5 members at $1,200–$2,100/year with volume savings, and Transition tier is $325/year for senior HR leaders in active career transition. Eligibility is limited to Director-level and above in strategic HR roles.
• Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) A 6-month, 7-session executive development program combining classroom experience with monthly CHRO Mentor-led group collaboration. Designed and delivered by HR Executives to prepare HR professionals to become CHROs or CPOs within three years. Sessions are held in Boston at 260 Franklin Street. Pricing: Member $5,324; Non-Member $5,999 (includes one-year HRLF membership). Payment plans available.
• HRLF Ignite Annual Conference Two-day flagship event celebrating innovation and excellence in HR, exploring the transformational power of HR leadership through the pillars People, Purpose, and Performance. Open to HRLF members and (with paid registration) prospective members. The 2026 edition runs September 30 – October 1 at The Westin Boston Seaport District.
• HRLF Monthly Programs and Single-Event Registration Monthly in-person and virtual programs featuring top keynote speakers (e.g., Marcus Buckingham, Cy Wakeman, Brian Klaas), pre-program workshops, and member socials. Members attend free; certain single events charge non-members a per-event fee (e.g., $199 for non-member registration). SHRM-accredited for PDC credits.
• HRLF Corporate Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship packages (Platinum, Core, Minor) sold to corporations (typically executive search firms, benefits brokers, and consultancies) seeking brand visibility, credibility, and direct access to HRLF's network of 300+ senior HR decision-makers across 16+ industries in New England.

Quantifiable outcome

• HRLF has grown to 300+ members since its founding in 1980
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, core and minor.

• Babson Executive EducationplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerBabson Executive Education is a sponsor of HRLF, providing executive education programs and thought leadership content. As a Platinum sponsor, Babson supports HRLF's mission of delivering exceptional thought leadership and innovative resources to senior HR executives in New England. Babson provides executive education focusing on entrepreneurship and business strategy.
• Keystone PartnersplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerKeystone Partners is a leading provider of career transition, outplacement, career management, executive coaching, and leadership development services. The firm has over 35 years of experience supporting organizations and individuals at all levels. Keystone Partners sponsors HRLF and its Chair, Kim Littlefield, serves on the HRLF Board of Directors.
• LocktonplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerLockton is the world's largest privately owned, independent insurance broker serving clients across six continents. As an HRLF sponsor, Lockton provides risk management, insurance, employee benefits consulting, and retirement services. Their sponsorship connects them with HR decision-makers across New England.
• The Nagler GroupplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Nagler Group (also shown as Nagler Group) is an HR-focused executive search and consulting firm. Andrew Sterling, Managing Director of The Nagler Group, serves on the HRLF Sponsorship Committee as Chair. The firm's sponsorship provides visibility to HR leaders and name recognition.
• ClearRockplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerClearRock is a career transition and executive coaching firm. Laura Poisson serves as President of ClearRock and chairs the HRLF Program Committee. ClearRock provides career transition services and executive coaching, contributing panel speakers for HRLF's career transition programming.
• Sentinel GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSentinel Group is listed as an HRLF sponsor, providing employer-focused services. Their sponsorship connects them with HRLF's network of senior HR decision-makers.
• William James CollegecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWilliam James College is listed as an HRLF sponsor. The college focuses on psychology and behavioral health education and provides programs relevant to organizational psychology and workplace mental health.
• AONcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAON is a global professional services firm providing risk consulting, insurance brokerage, and human resources solutions. As an HRLF sponsor, AON connects with senior HR leaders across New England's diverse industries.
• Benson Executive SearchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBenson Executive Search (Benson Search Group) is an HR-focused executive search firm led by Alice Koehn Benson, President and CEO, who serves on the HRLF Board of Directors. The firm specializes in executive search within the Human Resources discipline.
• Hudson Institute of CoachingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHudson Institute of Coaching is listed as a past sponsor supporter of HRLF events, providing coaching and professional development content.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationYourMembership.com provides the software powering HRLF's website since 1998. The platform includes membership management, website features, member invoicing/dues system, email marketing, event management, career center, and job board functionality. HRLF's member portal, event registration, and online community are all powered by this platform.
• Bentley UniversitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBentley University serves as a key venue partner for HRLF programs, hosting events at The Conference Center at Bentley University in Waltham, MA. The ELDP program and many monthly programs are held at Bentley. HRLF programs carry SHRM accreditation for PDC credits.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Chief: Private membership network for C-suite executives (including CHROs/CPOs) focused on peer connection and executive development. Comparable to HRLF in serving senior executive women in HR functions, but operates nationally with a digital-first, membership-fee model.
• DisruptHR: Event-based HR community running local 'DisruptHR' meetups with short-form talks for HR professionals. Comparable community-led, event-driven GTM motion to HRLF; partial overlap on target audience but looser eligibility criteria.

Direct peers

• i4cp (Institute for Corporate Productivity): Research-and-peer-network organization focused on HR and workforce productivity. Operates member communities of senior HR leaders with peer-to-peer learning, research events, and advisory — directly comparable membership model to HRLF.
• Executive Networks: Peer-learning community for senior HR and other executives, providing facilitated roundtables and content for HR leaders. Operates a membership network similar to HRLF, focused on the same CHRO/HR executive persona.

Regional players

• Keystone Partners: Boston/New England-based career transition and executive coaching firm that is a Platinum sponsor of HRLF and has staff serving on HRLF's board. Adjacent in HR leadership development services and serving the same geographic market, though operating in a different service category (career transition vs. membership community).

Broad incumbents

• Human Capital Institute (HCI): Educational and research organization serving HR and talent management leaders with training, certification, and conferences. Comparable in serving senior HR leaders through educational programs and events, though nationally and digitally focused.
• WorldatWork: Nonprofit professional association focused on total rewards, compensation, benefits, and HR leadership. Operates with a membership and certification model similar to HRLF, though serving a more specialized HR sub-discipline nationally.
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): National HR professional association with state chapters across the US. Provides professional development, credentialing (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP), and PDC credits — the same value categories that HRLF's programs offer. HRLF even receives SHRM accreditation for its own events, making SHRM both a competitor and a standards body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nehrlf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hrlf

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Human Resource Leadership Forum