HR.com, the largest network of HR professionals, has announced Gestalt Community Schools as the winner of the 2026 Most Innovative Compensation Strategy Award. This accolade recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional innovation in compensation strategy to attract, retain, and engage top talent while supporting long-term organizational success.
The winning program, developed by the Gestalt People Team, showcases how a data-driven compensation strategy can advance pay equity, strengthen talent attraction and retention, and support long-term organizational success. By leveraging market benchmarking and achieving over 80% employee participation, the team collaboratively redesigned salaries, resulting in a people-first strategy that improved equity and cut teacher vacancies in half.
“Organizations that view compensation as a strategic investment in their people create stronger workplaces and better business outcomes,” said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. “Congratulations to Gestalt Community Schools for developing an innovative compensation strategy that delivers lasting value for both employees and the organization.”
The award highlights the importance of aligning compensation with organizational goals and employee needs. Gestalt's approach serves as a model for other organizations seeking to enhance their compensation practices. By focusing on transparency, employee involvement, and market competitiveness, the school system has established a sustainable foundation for compensation excellence.
This recognition comes at a time when many organizations are reevaluating their compensation strategies to address pay equity and talent retention challenges. Gestalt's success demonstrates that a thoughtful, inclusive approach can yield significant benefits, including improved recruitment outcomes and a more engaged workforce.
For more information about the award and other honorees, visit the HR.com Awards page.
