Ron Thomas

Ron Thomas is a globally recognized strategist, educator, and thought leader in human resources and organizational transformation. He currently serves as Managing Director of Strategy Focused Group, an international consulting firm with headquarters in Dubai and offices in New York City and Singapore.

In the academic realm, Ron is a Visiting Executive Faculty Member at the Human Capital Institute and an Adjunct Facilitator for EMBA programs at both Howard University and the American University of the Emirates in Dubai. He also contributes to the Global Human Resources Leadership Institute at the Howard University School of Business.

Throughout his distinguished career, Ron has held pivotal leadership roles, including CEO of Great Place to Work – MENA, CHRO of Al Raha Group in Riyadh, and Vice President of Human Resources at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. His strategic expertise has guided institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dubai Tourism, and the Singapore Government Civil Service.

Widely recognized for his contributions to the HR field, Ron has received numerous accolades, including:

- Top 5 HR/Leadership Thinkers in the Middle East (CIPD)
- Outstanding Leadership Award for Global HR Excellence
- Asia’s 50 Most Talented Global HR Leaders
- Global 200 Inspirational Leaders Award
- Power 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership

As a prolific writer and speaker, Ron’s insights have been featured in leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, and Workforce Management. He is a regular contributor to HR.com, ERE.net, and other global HR platforms, where he shares his expertise on workforce strategy, leadership, and organizational design.

- ERE Author Profile: ere.net/authors/ron-thomas
- MEHRL Spotlight Interview: me-hrl.com/spotlight-ron-thomas-global-leader-in-strategy-and-human-resources
- Best Practice Institute Profile: blog.bestpracticeinstitute.org/profile-ron-thomas/

Beyond consulting and academia, Ron serves on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and McKinsey’s Quarterly Executive Online Panel. As a global speaker, he captivates audiences with compelling presentations that inspire transformative thinking and position HR as a driver of strategic growth.

Ron’s dynamic career reflects his enduring passion for leadership, innovation, and knowledge-sharing—empowering organizations and individuals to realize their full potential across industries and regions.