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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Garrett Walker

    Chief Human Resource Officer, Practice Leader & Partner in Neuroscience & Human Performance Optimization

    Total Brain

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.He pioneers the application of neuroscience research to enhance talent development and HR programs.
    • 2.He leads Total Brain in developing brain-based assessment, training, and optimization techniques.
    • 3.Walker's work drives improvements in executive performance, employee engagement, and mental health through neuroscience-backed strategies.
    • 4.He advocates for integrating a scientific understanding of the brain into workplace practices for better organizational outcomes.

    About Garrett

    Garrett Walker is a Chief Human Resource Officer and leading figure in applying neuroscience research to talent development, organizational health, and HR programs.

    Who is Garrett Walker?

    Garrett Walker serves as the Chief Human Resource Officer, Practice Leader, and Partner in Neuroscience & Human Performance Optimization at Total Brain. Based in the Greater Boston area, he is recognized for his innovative approach to integrating cutting-edge neuroscience into human resources practices. His work focuses on leveraging brain-based assessment, training, and optimization techniques to improve employee performance and overall organizational well-being.

    Walker brings a unique perspective to the HR field, combining extensive business acumen with a deep understanding of neuroscience. He champions a data-driven approach, investing in research and development to create technologies that assess mental conditions and optimize key brain capacities such as emotion, cognition, and self-control. This enables organizations to achieve significant improvements in executive performance, employee engagement, productivity, and mental health.

    Quick facts about Garrett Walker

    | | |---|---| | Role | Chief Human Resource Officer, Practice Leader & Partner in Neuroscience & Human Performance Optimization | | Company | Total Brain | | Based in | Greater Boston | | Expertise | Neuroscience in HR, Talent Optimization, Organizational Health, Employee Well-being, Workforce Analytics | | Notable for | Leveraging neuroscience for talent development and organizational performance | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |

    What is Garrett Walker known for?

    • Pioneering the application of neuroscience research to enhance talent development and HR programs.
    • Leading Total Brain in brain-based assessment, training, and optimization techniques.
    • Developing mobile brain-computer interface technologies for screening mental conditions and optimizing brain capacities.
    • Driving improvements in executive performance, employee engagement, mental health, and productivity through neuroscience-backed strategies.
    • Advocating for the integration of scientific understanding of the brain into workplace practices.

    What is Garrett Walker's background and experience?

    Garrett Walker brings a wealth of experience from significant roles across various major corporations. Prior to his current role at Total Brain, he held high-level positions at companies such as IBM and Quintiles. His responsibilities spanned human resources, talent management, workforce analytics, and sales productivity, demonstrating a broad and deep understanding of corporate operations and human capital management.

    His educational foundation is equally robust, combining both business and scientific disciplines.

    • Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Humanities
    • Executive Master's Certification in Neuroscience and Leadership from MIT Sloan School of Management
    • Master of Arts in Business Administration from INSEAD

    This diverse academic background has equipped him with a holistic perspective, enabling him to bridge the gap between complex neuroscience and practical business application.

    What topics does Garrett Walker speak and write about?

    Garrett Walker frequently addresses the intersection of neuroscience and human resources, focusing on how a scientific understanding of the brain can revolutionize talent development and organizational success. He explores themes such as optimizing human performance, fostering employee well-being, and leveraging brain-based insights to create more effective HR strategies and programs. His discussions often highlight the practical applications of neuroscience in enhancing various aspects of organizational health.

    His expertise extends to topics like workforce analytics and corporate leadership, where he advocates for data-driven decisions informed by neuroscientific principles. Walker emphasizes the importance of understanding individual brain capacities—such as emotion, cognition, and self-control—to unlock greater potential within the workforce and drive tangible improvements in productivity and engagement.

    How does Garrett Walker contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As an Expert Faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Garrett Walker contributes by sharing his rich insights and pioneering work in neuroscience and HR. His expertise aligns with BPI's mission to advance best practices in leadership, organizational development, and workplace culture. Through his contributions, he helps BPI members and the broader community understand how to apply cutting-edge brain science to solve complex talent challenges and build more effective, Most Loved Workplaces.

    Walker's work directly supports the principles embedded within BPI's SPARK Model, particularly in areas related to employee engagement, development, and well-being. By demonstrating how a neuroscientific approach can lead to measurable improvements in organizational performance, he provides actionable strategies for leaders seeking to optimize their human capital and foster environments where employees thrive.

    Where can you learn more from Garrett Walker?

    Further insights from Garrett Walker can be found through his work at Total Brain, where he leads initiatives in neuroscience-based talent development and optimization. His public profiles and the resources of the Best Practice Institute offer additional opportunities to explore his perspectives on harnessing brain science for organizational and individual growth.

    Background & Perspective

    Background and Education

    Garrett Walker brings a diverse background in both corporate leadership and scientific disciplines. Before his current role at Total Brain, he held high-level positions at major corporations such as IBM and Quintiles, with responsibilities spanning human resources, talent management, workforce analytics, and sales productivity.

    His academic credentials provide a holistic perspective, bridging business and science:

    • Executive Master's Certification in Neuroscience and Leadership from MIT Sloan School of Management
    • Master of Arts in Business Administration from INSEAD
    • Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Humanities

    Areas of Expertise

    As Chief Human Resource Officer and Practice Leader at Total Brain, Garrett Walker is a leading figure in applying neuroscience to the workplace. Based in the Greater Boston area, his work focuses on using brain-based assessment, training, and optimization to improve employee performance and organizational health. He champions a data-driven approach, investing in technologies that assess mental conditions and optimize key brain capacities like emotion, cognition, and self-control.

    His primary areas of expertise include:

    • Neuroscience in HR
    • Talent Optimization
    • Organizational Health
    • Employee Well-being
    • Workforce Analytics
    • Leadership Development

    Contribution to the Field

    Walker is dedicated to integrating a scientific understanding of the brain into HR and leadership practices. He frequently speaks and writes about how neuroscientific principles can revolutionize talent development, employee engagement, and overall business success. Through his work, he provides organizations with actionable strategies to drive tangible improvements in executive performance, productivity, and mental health. As an Expert Faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, he shares these pioneering insights to help leaders build more effective and thriving workplaces.

    Areas of Expertise

    Neuroscience in HRTalent OptimizationOrganizational HealthEmployee Well-beingWorkforce AnalyticsLeadership Development

    Research Topics

    Human ResourcesNeuroscienceOrganizational DevelopmentTalent Strategy

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    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.