In a wide-ranging conversation, Dan Domenech, Chief Talent Officer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, offered a masterclass in what it means to lead with purpose while driving transformation in the ever-evolving field of human resources. From championing talent development and innovation to staying grounded in faith and family, Domenech's journey reflects both strategic vision and personal authenticity.
Reframing the Role of HR
Far from the stereotypical perception, Domenech framed human resources as a powerful, strategic driver of enterprise success. “Some of the best business leaders I’ve worked for would say the two most important partners they have are their finance person and their HR person,” he said.
At HPE, Domenech oversees a wide portfolio—from talent acquisition to workforce planning, learning and development, performance management, and organizational design. But he emphasizes that HR’s real role is deeper: To help companies win in a dynamic talent landscape by building an unconditionally inclusive culture and creating a compelling employee value proposition.
Growth Fueled by Mentorship and Faith
Dan’s career path has been shaped by a series of formative experiences and relationships across multiple industries—industrial manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and tech. But what has remained constant is his growth mindset and reliance on strong mentors.
He recalls early guidance from leaders at GE and Honeywell, who challenged him with roles he wasn’t sure he was ready for—but believed in his potential. Equally pivotal is Domenech’s faith: “My day starts with Bible reading and devotions. It helps me stay grounded in servant leadership.”
Leading Through Life’s Priorities
Balancing a demanding career with raising five children—three adopted from Peru and Guatemala—has been a defining challenge and joy for Domenech. He credits his Cuban-born father, who coached Little League in a business suit, with teaching him the importance of prioritizing family. “I’ve always said my big rocks are my faith and my family. If I lose a job because I left early to coach or shared my values, so be it.”
Advancing Inclusion and Evolving Culture
Under Dan Domenech’s leadership, HPE has made unconditional inclusivity a foundational element of its talent strategy. The company takes a comprehensive approach that goes beyond representation—placing emphasis on developing talent across all backgrounds, promoting internal mobility, and actively addressing bias in decision-making.
This inclusive mindset is championed from the top, with CEO Antonio Neri positioning inclusivity as a business imperative. Leaders across the organization are expected to integrate DEI into their goals and are held accountable for fostering a culture where all individuals can grow and thrive.
Innovation Through Listening and Learning
Domenech shared HPE’s award-winning performance management transformation, which earned the 2025 Next Practice Award from the Institute for Corporate Productivity. Innovation, he explains, starts with listening—to employees, to external partners like Gartner, and to emerging market needs.
A recent example is HPE’s push to upskill its workforce in AI. “Antonio said everyone should have a ‘minor’ in AI. We had to create learning paths tailored to different roles—from data scientists to leaders. Personalized growth is the future.”
Creating a Blueprint for Impact
Asked to describe his leadership style, Domenech doesn’t hesitate: “Servant leadership.” That means starting meetings with personal check-ins, creating psychological safety, and leading with authenticity. “If you want high performance, you need trust. That starts by showing up as your full self.”
And if he were to summarize his career in four words?
Vision. Authenticity. Growth. Impact.
These pillars not only define Dan’s leadership journey—they serve as a blueprint for HR leaders striving to build resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking organizations.
