Building Connection and the Business Value of Certification
In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier is joined live from the I.C.E. Conference by Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI® — HR Certification Institute, to explore how certification builds connection, credibility, and measurable value for today’s workforce. As the leader of the world’s premier certifying and learning organization for the HR profession, Amy shares insights shaped by decades of experience across public, private, regulatory, and education sectors.
The conversation focuses on the evolving role of certification as a strategic lever for workforce development, organizational performance, and global talent mobility. Amy discusses how HRCI has expanded beyond credentials to support continuous learning, professional community, and internationally aligned standards—while helping organizations upskill and reskill talent in the face of rapid change, including the growing influence of AI and shifting workplace expectations.
Amy also reflects on the importance of engagement, thought leadership, and lifelong learning in elevating the HR profession, drawing on her work as a co-author, speaker, and creator of influential HR learning initiatives. Whether you’re a certification leader, HR professional, or credentialing organization seeking to demonstrate ROI, strengthen engagement, or support professionals at a global scale, this episode offers valuable perspective on how certification can drive both individual growth and organizational impact.
Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE
CEO of HRCI® — HR Certification Institute
Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, is CEO of HRCI® — HR Certification Institute, the world’s premier certifying and learning organization for the human resources profession. In this role, Dr. Dufrane guides the enterprise as it helps companies, and their employees, navigate the demands of the modern-day workplace through learning and training programs aligned with the highest international standards for the human resources profession.
Prior to joining HRCI in 2011, Dr. Dufrane spent two decades working as a human resources executive in the public, regulatory, private and education sectors. She is the co-founder and creator of the Alchemizing HR webinar and summit series, the co-author of Alchemizing HR: Your Formula for the New Era and the facilitator, author and motivator behind The Rise of HR: The Future of Work with 73 HR thought leaders, including Dave Ulrich.
Dr. Dufrane holds a doctorate from The George Washington University as well as a Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) certification from HRCI and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the ASAE. An accomplished business leader and celebrated industry voice, Dr. Dufrane is a frequent public speaker, appearing on global stages and in popular publications.