The CEO Magazine proudly unveils the global leaders transforming bold ideas into real-world impact. Here, they reveal what they believe will make – or break – businesses over the next five years.

“Sometimes the best thing we can do is unlearn what is no longer serving us and to acknowledge what may have worked five years ago, one year ago, and was fantastic, may not be anymore. And this is in large part due to the changing psychological contract employers now expect from their employers. They no longer want jobs, they are looking for journeys.”

Global leadership development rarely becomes a defining career until an unexpected assignment changes everything. Behind every high-performing organization, executive transformation, and workforce strategy initiative are leaders responsible for shaping culture, trust, and performance at scale. Jim Dunn has spent approximately 30 years operating across those realities, building a career that began in research science and evolved into executive leadership roles across global organizations.

A great speaker doesn’t just deliver words. They spark ideas, shift perspectives, and leave audiences changed long after the applause fades. 

In 2026, the demand for authentic voices and bold insights has never been higher. The individuals featured in Top 10 Keynote Speakers to Book in 2026 are masters of that craft.

As organizations across the globe struggle with disengaged workforces, cultural misalignment, and leadership models that no longer resonate in a rapidly interconnected world, a pressing question has emerged: how can businesses drive performance without losing the human essence that sustains it?

Jim Dunn is the President and CEO of LD Human Capital Consulting and has spent over 30 years developing deep expertise in strategic human resources, organizational development, and leadership.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Focal Point Business Coaching Conference in San Diego. It was an energizing few days reconnecting with peers and exploring the evolving impact of coaching.

Jim Dunn, EMBA ‘16, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. With a career spanning more than 30 years in human resources and a resume that includes serving as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for some of the nation’s largest healthcare organizations, Dunn had already achieved what many executives aspire to. But in 2014, despite his extensive leadership experience and an impressive collection of advanced degrees—three doctorates and multiple master’s degrees—he felt something was missing.

When it comes to people, Jim Dunn, PhD, has spent a lifetime proving that they are not just a company’s greatest asset—they are its greatest advantage. For more than three decades, he has been at the forefront of strategic human resources, leadership, and organizational development, reshaping workplace cultures and transforming how executives think about their people. Known both as a national leader and a visionary, Jim has built his career around one guiding principle: when people thrive, organizations do too.