Serena H. Huang

Dr. Serena H. Huang is a renowned AI keynote speaker, author, and expert in data and AI applications for organisational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She is the founder of Data with Serena, where she offers advisory services on AI and data analytics to businesses globally. As a top speaker, Dr. Huang has delivered presentations and workshops across Asia, North America, and Europe, sharing her expertise on how data can improve employee well-being, DEI, and talent strategies.

Dr. Huang served as the Global Head of People Analytics at PayPal, where she was instrumental in creating a data-driven culture for talent decisions. She also joined Deloitte as a Senior Consultant, specialising in data-driven business strategies, M&A transactions, and audit defence.

She also worked at GE, Kraft Heinz, and PayPal, leading their DEI and ESG measurement strategies. She earned the title of "Top 100 Global Employee Experience Influencers" and a place among the “Top 15 LinkedIn Experts in Chicago.”

In 2023, Dr. Huang authored the Amazon #1 New Release book The Inclusion Equation: Leveraging Data & AI for Organizational Diversity and Wellbeing. She is also an instructor at LinkedIn Learning, where she teaches courses on using data to drive progress in DEI and employee well-being, with over 30,000 learners worldwide.

Dr. Huang has received various awards, including the "Top 25 HR Leaders to Watch" in 2022 and the Marnie and Bill Argersinger Outstanding Dissertation Prize. She is an active volunteer and has served on advisory councils, notably for Purdue University’s Data Mine.

Dr. Huang holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Kansas, where she received several honours for her dissertation on skilled immigration and its economic impact.

Dr. Serena H. Huang was born in the United States and has become a recognised leader in data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and its application to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Her career spans over a decade, during which she has held significant roles at major global companies, including PayPal, GE, Kraft Heinz, and Koch Industries.

Dr. Huang earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Kansas, where her dissertation, An Evaluation of Skilled Immigration in the United States, was awarded the Marnie and Bill Argersinger Outstanding Dissertation Prize. Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, her research explored the economic impact of skilled immigration, establishing the foundation for her career in data analytics and business strategies.

After completing her doctorate, Dr. Huang began her professional career as a Senior Associate at Charles River Associates, where she provided economic analysis for employment litigation and compensation equity. In 2013, she joined Deloitte as a Senior Consultant, where she helped develop data-driven business strategies, particularly in M&A transactions and successfully secured $1.2 million in new revenue in 2014.

In 2016, Dr. Huang moved to GE Aviation as an Economist and Leader of Global People Analytics. In this role, she developed data-driven talent strategies and executed strategic workforce planning across 85 sites. Her work led to a 50% increase in the usage of HR data over six months in 2016. She continued her career at GE Transportation as Leader of Global People Analytics & HR Operations, where she led a global analytics team and achieved $100 million in cost reductions.

Dr. Huang's next role was at Koch Industries in 2018 as a Global Talent Analytics Leader. She developed the talent analytics vision and strategy, transforming the company’s analytics practices through machine learning experiments and predictive analytics. Her efforts contributed to an annual value creation of $50 million, and she led enterprise-wide workshops to improve analytics capabilities across the organisation.

From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Huang served as Global Head of People Analytics at Kraft Heinz. Here, she partnered with the C-suite to develop a global strategy to advance people analytics and employee experience. She redesigned the company’s employee listening strategy, leveraging data and AI to improve employee retention. Dr. Huang also led the development of cutting-edge white papers and reports on people analytics and employee experience, and raised awareness about the importance of analytics across various business units.

In 2021, Dr. Huang joined PayPal as the Global Head of People Analytics, Visualization, and HR Technology. At PayPal, she was responsible for reshaping the company’s analytics strategy and improving data literacy across the organisation. She led initiatives aimed at enhancing employee experience and driving business outcomes using data-driven decision-making.

In 2023, Dr. Huang published The Inclusion Equation: Leveraging Data & AI for Organizational Diversity and Wellbeing, an Amazon #1 New Release. The book provides actionable strategies for organisations to use data and AI to enhance DEI and employee well-being, drawing from her years of experience in people analytics.

Dr. Huang is also a LinkedIn Learning instructor, where she teaches popular courses such as The Data Analytics of Diversity Inclusion and Well-being and Building a Data-Driven Skills-First Workforce Strategy. These courses have reached over 30,000 learners globally.

In 2023, Dr. Huang founded Data with Serena, a consulting firm focused on empowering organisations to leverage data and AI for creating inclusive and healthy workplace cultures. The firm offers strategic advisory services and conducts workshops on data storytelling, generative AI, and digital transformation.

Dr. Huang is a highly sought-after international speaker and has delivered over 200 keynotes and workshops on the intersection of AI, data, and DEI. She has been recognised as one of the Top 100 Global Employee Experience Influencers and one of the Top 15 LinkedIn Experts in Chicago in 2023.

Alongside her work in industry, Dr. Huang served as Chair of the External Advisory Council for Purdue University’s Data Mine from January 2021 to May 2021, where she provided strategic guidance on data science education. This role involved helping shape the curriculum and fostering partnerships between academia and the industry to advance the application of data science across various sectors. Her leadership on this advisory council played a key role in ensuring that Purdue’s Data Mine stayed ahead of emerging trends in data science, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and practical business applications.

In addition to her corporate roles, Dr. Huang is actively involved in volunteering with organisations such as NAMI, Chinese American Service League, and Cornerstone Community Outreach, where she works on projects related to social services and economic empowerment.

Dr. Huang’s career continues to evolve as she remains at the forefront of the AI, data analytics, and DEI fields. She is committed to helping organisations leverage data for better talent management, employee well-being, and more inclusive workplaces, driving both business success and positive social impact.

Dr. Serena H. Huang’s vision is to transform workplaces by harnessing the power of data and AI to create more inclusive, diverse, and supportive environments. She believes that by integrating data analytics with people strategies, organisations can improve employee well-being, foster a culture of belonging, and drive sustainable business success. Her work aims to empower companies to use data to measure, track, and enhance their DEI and employee experience initiatives, ensuring that every employee feels valued. Dr. Huang envisions a future where data and AI are used responsibly to shape workplaces that prioritise both people and performance.

Dr. Serena H. Huang has received several prestigious awards and recognition for her work in data analytics, diversity, and inclusion. In 2023, she was named one of the "Top 15 LinkedIn Experts in Chicago" and recognised as one of the "Top 100 Global Employee Experience Influencers". She was also listed as one of the "Top 25 HR Leaders to Watch" in 2022. Dr. Huang’s leadership in AI and data-driven people strategies earned her the Marnie and Bill Argersinger Outstanding Dissertation Prize and the Sherman and Irene Dreiseszun Scholarship for International Studies, highlighting her impact in both academia and industry.