Samuel Thayer is a senior HR executive and recognized leader in People Analytics, Workforce Strategy, and the digital transformation of Human Resources. As Vice President of People Operations and Analytics at Compass Group North America, he drives enterprise-wide initiatives that support over 322,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada. His work is focused on making HR a truly data-driven function—empowering leaders with insights that strengthen workforce health, enhance organizational agility, and accelerate business performance.
With more than two decades of experience, Sam has built and scaled analytics capabilities that move beyond retrospective reporting toward predictive, actionable intelligence. He is known for bridging the gap between analytics, technology, and human capital strategy, simplifying complexity, reducing costs, and delivering measurable value. A trusted advisor on high-impact transformation, he has guided organizations through workforce continuity planning, enterprise change management, and large-scale digital shifts. Sam’s passion lies in creating a culture where data drives smarter decisions and enables HR to be a catalyst for strategic growth.
