Mark is the Founder and Managing Principal of IA, applying over thirty years of experience in the implementation of internal and external HR transformational initiatives for public and private sector clientele worldwide. By offering unbiased and candid advice to C-level leaders in nearly all geographies and vertical market segments, Mark has brought billions of dollars’ worth of value to his clients and employers. He has spent his career fostering relationships through attention to detail, natural curiosity, and a self-deprecating sense of humor.

Demystifying the HR Sandbox: Beyond Traditional RFPs

By Mark Stelzner / Oct 1, 2023

Providers. Employers. Advisors. It’s safe to say that we all hate RFPs. They are imperfect by virtue of applying a transactional mechanism toward a transformational moment. That’s why several years ago, IA advocated for a different approach that drives connection – not a brick wall – between our employer clients and their potential providers. If […]

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Ignorance isn’t (always) bliss

By Mark Stelzner / Sep 27, 2023

As much as I try to heed my own advice in my personal life, the reality is that I’m terrible at it. Let’s say, for example, that someone roughly my height and age was in the middle of a home renovation during one of the busiest stretches of the year. Perhaps this gray-haired stranger didn’t […]

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The future is…weird.

By Mark Stelzner / Aug 25, 2023

In hindsight, I should have been a futurist. There’s something exciting about always looking ahead, imagining how society will adapt to emerging technologies and trends, and predicting the impact they will have on work. And the absolute best part about being a futurist is that no one can ever tell you that you’re wrong. If […]

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Embracing the adventure

By Mark Stelzner / Mar 28, 2023

As an experienced global traveler, one would think I’ve mastered the art of time shifting. My hotel mirror in Stockholm suggested otherwise.  With eyes undergirded by heavy carry-on bags, crepe paper hands cracking under the dry air, and nightly tossing and turning activating a hundred static gray follicle antennas, I was clearly a mess. After […]

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The importance of community

By Mark Stelzner / Feb 28, 2023

One of the greatest gifts of my work is to spend time with a wide variety of fascinating individuals around the world. Each brings a unique perspective and I enjoy exploring solutions for the different challenges they face. In reflecting upon my meetings these past few months, there is one common theme plaguing the world […]

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Where does the time go?

By Mark Stelzner / Jan 26, 2023

As I was watching the chair lifts make their circuitous journey up and down the mountainside, I started thinking about time. It was Day 2 of our holiday ski trip, and I was relegated to the hotel room due to a wicked fall that dislocated my shoulder and had me in queue for yet another […]

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You get what you ask for

By Mark Stelzner / Dec 20, 2022

If you grew up celebrating Christmas, the creation of your wish list to Santa was an important step in your holiday tradition. Even though I was Jewish, I figured hedging my bets couldn’t hurt and started my planning long before Halloween. Dreams of toys, a bike, maybe a cool new game (but never socks!) would […]

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Gratitude is never cheesy

By Mark Stelzner / Nov 29, 2022

Every year around this time, people begin to list all the things that make them grateful. When the posts come out, you can almost hear the eyerolls as some readers dismiss yet another perfunctory Thanksgiving post. But when someone honestly and openly shares their gratitude, I embrace it. It was a tradition in my family […]

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If you want a scary story, check out HR tech

By Mark Stelzner / Oct 28, 2022

We have entered the Spooky Season, with costumes and trick-or-treat candy selections taking center stage. And while most people are trying to decide what horror movies to watch on their streaming app, I’ve been following a different kind of fright fest – HR technology. Whether it’s artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, algorithms, or employee monitoring […]

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In search of innovation

By Mark Stelzner / Sep 29, 2022

This month, the annual HR Technology Conference returned to full strength in Las Vegas. It was wonderful to see so many people in person, to walk the Expo floor, and to bring so much of the industry’s band back together. There was a striking and palpable desire to be together as an HR family, with old and […]

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