SHRM Linkage Enhances Talent and Leadership Development Ecosystem with Acquisition of CNEXT

SHRM Linkage delivers research-backed talent and leadership development solutions via a talent optimization framework that prepares and positions talent to perform at every stage of their career. Backed by SHRM, the voice of all things work, and informed by more than 1 million data points from 100,000 leadership assessments collected over 30 years, SHRM Linkage delivers actionable solutions designed to build capability, accelerate readiness, and fuel business transformation. SHRM Linkage helps organizations achieve up to 2× the revenue and 9× the employee engagement.​

“At CNEXT, we’ve always believed that great leadership at every level drives lasting business success. Whether it’s a senior executive navigating complexity or a rising leader preparing for bigger impact, our goal has been the same: provide access to real-world insight, practical tools, and trusted peers. Through SHRM Linkage, we now have the opportunity to bring that approach to more leaders, across more stages, and at greater scale," said Rick Smith, Founder, CNEXT.​

“This acquisition enables SHRM Linkage to partner with clients to optimize their talent at every career stage so their organizations can transform in today’s ever-evolving climate. With CNEXT’s proven approaches—direct access to world-renowned CEOs through small-group discussions and mentoring, learning from cross-industry and cross-functional peer networks, and award-winning innovative experiential learning—we can help our clients attract, retain, and advance high-performing talent and realize sustained business impact,” said Tamla Oates-Forney, CEO of SHRM Linkage.

About Generate and Accelerate​

Generate brings together senior leaders in cohorts for confidential, impactful sessions led by Fortune-ranked CEOs and world-renowned thought leaders. Participants broaden their perspective, pressure-test ideas, and access peer and expert insight rarely available within their own organizations. The program blends peer learning, business coaching, and future-focused strategy to help leaders shape what’s next.​​

Accelerate equips mid-level leaders with the tools and perspective to expand their influence and readiness for enterprise-level roles. Delivered through immersive, experiential learning in a collaborative cohort format, the program improves leadership versatility and capability by 85%, strengthens strategic thinking, and helps organizations build succession strength exactly where it’s needed most.​​

Together with SHRM Linkage’s Purposeful Leadership, Women in Leadership, and SHRM Linkage Institute, these new solutions ensure that every level of talent—from entry-level to C-suite—is supported with research-backed programs that drive measurable leadership and business impact.​

About SHRM Linkage​

For more than 35 years, Linkage has partnered with organizations to develop strong leaders and optimize the collective strength of their talent. Through tailored, research-driven strategies, consulting, and coaching expertise, SHRM Linkage delivers solutions that address real-world leadership challenges. These solutions are grounded in proprietary research, informed by more than 1 million data points from 100,000+ leadership assessments across three decades. This foundational insight enables clients to make better talent decisions, scale leadership readiness, and transform business performance—from the backpack to the boardroom. Learn more at SHRM.org/Linkage.​

About SHRM​

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at  SHRM.org.