Top employee engagement leaders shaping the future of work

Tech transformation. Economic pressure. Rapid shifts in skills and expectations. The world of work is changing faster than ever, and it demands more from people leaders. It’s no longer just about supporting employees; it’s about strategically shaping the workforce of the future.

That’s why we’ve launched “Shaping the Future of Work: Visionary Leaders in HR & L&D” - a series spotlighting those who don’t just talk about change but actively make it happen.

We are kicking off the series with a focus on Employee Engagement Leaders. These are the culture architects, connection builders, and performance drivers who create meaningful, lasting engagement in organizations. And their role has never been more critical — nearly 80% of employees worldwide are still not engaged at work, costing the global economy an estimated $8.8 trillion in lost productivity.

That’s why these leaders stand out: they turn ambitious ideas into concrete behavior change, making work more human, dynamic, and impactful.

Meet the Employee Engagement changemakers

Nesma Abdou
As an L&D specialist at Sakura Finetek Europe, she is driving impactful initiatives that align employee development with business priorities. From refining and rolling out a competency framework to launching a cross-level leadership program, her work empowers continuous learning and meaningful career growth. With a clear focus on adoption, communication, and measurable success, she ensures learning strategies are not just implemented, but embraced.

Nikki van Dam
Nikki is driving a powerful shift toward a learning culture at Systemiq, making development accessible and meaningful in a demanding, high-performance environment. She leads global learning initiatives that go beyond skills—embedding sustainability, leadership, and behavioural change into everyday work. Her relentless curiosity and bold approach to engagement make her a standout force in shaping how people grow.

Missy Strong
As People Experience & Learning Leader at Pigment, Missy blends strategic thinking with deep curiosity to build learning programs that are agile, impactful, and tightly aligned with business needs. Her focus on psychological safety, feedback, and community creates an environment where people feel empowered to grow, experiment, and perform at their best. Through her thought leadership and hands-on work, she’s redefining what it means to foster engagement in today’s evolving workplace.

Marta Dimova
As L&D Manager at Electrolux Group, Marta leads global initiatives that embed inclusive leadership, power skills, and continuous learning across a 50,000-employee organisation. With a marketing mindset and a passion for breaking silos, she creates learning experiences that drive engagement, champion equality, and elevate the employee and consumer experience.

Lauren Cunningham
As Performance, Knowledge and Quality Senior Manager at Bumble, Lauren leverages continuous improvement strategies to move beyond quick fixes and deliver lasting learning outcomes. She champions play-based, interactive methods that enhance adult learning, engagement, and problem-solving. Her innovative approach creates dynamic learning cultures that drive sustained employee and business growth.

Liz Stefan
Liz Stefan is the co-founder of Nifty Learning and host of the L&D Spotlight Podcast. With a bold voice in the L&D space, Liz challenges traditional metrics and reframes what real engagement means. Her mission? Help companies turn training budgets into strategic investments—and move beyond vanity metrics to create meaningful, timely, and impactful learning experiences. Through her work, Liz pushes L&D leaders to build true learning cultures, where employees don’t just consume content—they grow.

Ruth Steele
Ruth Steele is Global Learning & Development Manager at VistaJet, where she brings a practical, people-first approach to learning. By blending L&D expertise with a focus on continuous improvement, she creates strategies that drive long-term performance, retention, and wellbeing—proving how learning can elevate both employee and client experiences.

Dwayne Britton
Dwayne Britton is the Principal Learning Strategist at DAY|WON, where he helps fast-moving teams and organizations design learning experiences that create clarity, connection, and momentum. With a background spanning brand, program management and L&D, Dwayne brings a rare mix of creativity and strategy to the way teams learn and grow. His people-first, culture-driven approach turns learning into a true competitive edge—one grounded in purpose, not just programs.

Stepan Starunchak
Stepan is a People Business Partner at Bynder, collaborating with leaders to build high-performing, inclusive teams where everyone can thrive. He champions leadership that goes beyond task management—focusing on developing, motivating, and empowering individuals through personalized growth, recognition, autonomy, and a strong feedback culture. Passionate about innovation, Stepan explores how AI can streamline HR processes and enhance employee experiences.

Marjolein Boukens
Marjolein Boukens is Associate Director of Employee Experience at HelloFresh. She leads initiatives to foster a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace—evidenced by HelloFresh Benelux ranking second among the Best Workplaces for Women in the Netherlands. Under her leadership, the company champions diversity, with 40% of Benelux leadership roles held by women, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

These leaders show us what’s possible when we connect learning to purpose, learner engagement to culture, and people to meaningful progress. In a time of constant change, their work offers a blueprint for creating workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to perform at their best.

And this is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight more changemakers who are shaping the future of work—from those leading with data and AI to champions of inclusive leadership and learning culture.

Know someone who’s raising the bar in HR or L&D? We’d love to hear from you. Send an email to: karolina.fesolowicz@lepaya.com

Let’s build the future of the workforce—together.

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