HR.com, the largest network of HR professionals, has named Gestalt Community Schools the winner of its 2026 Most Innovative Compensation Strategy Award. The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional innovation in compensation strategy to attract, retain, and engage top talent while supporting long-term organizational success.
Gestalt's People Team transformed its compensation approach through market benchmarking, achieving over 80% employee participation in the process. By collaboratively redesigning salary structures, the organization strengthened pay equity, improved teacher recruitment, and cut vacancies in half. This people-first strategy has established a sustainable foundation for organization-wide compensation excellence, according to HR.com.
"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 growing importance of compensation as a strategic tool. In a competitive labor market, organizations that leverage data and employee input to design fair and competitive pay structures can gain a significant edge in attracting and retaining talent. Gestalt's approach demonstrates how such a strategy can directly impact organizational performance, as evidenced by the reduction in teacher vacancies.
HR.com, which serves over 2 million HR professionals, provides research, education, and networking opportunities to help HR leaders advance their careers and improve their organizations. The HR.com Awards program recognizes excellence in various HR disciplines, including compensation, and showcases best practices that can be adopted across industries.
For more information about the award and other winners, visit HR.com Awards.
