Jim Dunn, PhD.

Jim Dunn, PhD, is a nationally recognized HR leader and the Executive Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer at Advocate Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States. With more than 30 years of experience, Jim is known for shaping employee experience, advancing people strategy, and building high-performing, inclusive organizational cultures that deliver measurable results.

Throughout his career, Jim has led enterprise-wide transformation in human resources management, talent development, and workforce planning and analytics. His expertise spans organizational culture, executive and employee compensation, and DEI initiatives, helping organizations align their people strategy with long-term business goals.

Jim is also an accomplished researcher and author, with over a decade of published work on strategic HR, organizational development, board governance, and large-scale change management. As a state-registered mediator, he brings a unique perspective on workplace conflict resolution and negotiation strategies, ensuring alignment between leaders, teams, and organizational culture.

His impact in the field has been widely recognized. Savoy Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential African-Americans in Corporate America in both 2018 and 2020. Jim also holds multiple professional designations, including Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and Fellow (FACHE) with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

With deep expertise in people strategy, employee engagement, and organizational performance, Jim is a sought-after voice for HR and business leaders looking to navigate today’s rapidly evolving workplace. His insights resonate with executives who are reimagining how to create resilient, inclusive, and high-performing organizations.