Episode 2: Navigating the Talent Wars: Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in the Competitive Global Market with Skill Shortages
Streamed on 3rd October, 2025
A Few key takeaways
- Hybrid Work & Flexibility: Hybrid work is now a permanent expectation after the pandemic.
- AI & Skill Shifts: AI is changing skill requirements faster than education systems can adap.
- Personalized EVP: Employees now seek belonging, growth, and purpose, not just pay.
- Skills Over Geography: Talent mobility is focused on skills, not location.
- Belonging & Trust: Belonging and transparency are key drivers of employee retention and engagement.
About the Session
How can organizations navigate the talent wars, skill shortages, and evolving workforce expectations? In this episode, John Land, Chief Advocacy Officer at Vantage Circle, is joined by Patrick Fagan, Chief HR Officer at New York City Public Schools, and Tonushree Mondal, an HR Consultant with extensive industry experience. Together, they discuss hybrid work expectations, AI-driven skill shifts, the importance of a personalized EVP, skills-based talent mobility, and how belonging and trust are essential for retention in today’s competitive landscape.
Session Guests
John Land
Chief Advocacy Officer – Vantage Circle
John Land is the Chief Advocacy Officer at Vantage Circle, where he champions employee engagement and recognition through modern, data-driven strategies. A former Partner at Mercer, CHRO, and U.S. Navy officer, he brings deep expertise in HR transformation, recognition design, and workforce strategy to organizations worldwide.
Patrick D. Fagan
Chief Talent/HR Officer
Patrick D. Fagan is the Chief Human Resources Officer for New York City Public Schools, overseeing a workforce of approximately 150,000 employees. With a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Patrick brings a behavioral science perspective to HR strategy, enabling data-driven decisions that drive organizational success.
He has a strong focus on addressing workforce challenges, particularly in the education sector, where he works on building effective teacher pipelines and creating innovative credentialing pathways.
Patrick’s expertise lies in aligning talent strategies with the broader goals of the organization, ensuring that HR policies not only meet the current needs but also anticipate future trends. His leadership is instrumental in fostering employee engagement, enhancing performance, and driving growth within the complex and highly regulated public school system in New York City.
Tonushree Mondal
HR Consultant
Tonushree Mondal is a highly experienced HR consultant with over 15 years of expertise in talent management, organizational development, and leadership coaching.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with global organizations to design and implement strategies that drive growth, improve performance, and enhance organizational culture. Specializing in executive coaching, team development, and leadership transformation, Tonushree focuses on helping companies build high-performing teams and foster inclusive environments.
She is passionate about aligning HR initiatives with business goals, ensuring that organizations not only attract top talent but also nurture and retain it for long-term success. Her work spans various industries, where she has helped leaders navigate complex challenges and cultivate sustainable, people-first cultures.
