About Our Aptitude

Aptitude Research Partners

Aptitude Research Partners is an independent research-based analyst and advisory firm guiding businesses to success within the increasingly complex Human Capital Management Technology Landscape.

Founded by leading authorities and lifelong students of HCM (human capital management,) Mollie Lombardi and Madeline Laurano, Aptitude Research Partners harnesses over 20 years of combined experience to foster a new conversation about the role of technology in HCM.

We empower both technology partners and business leaders with insight, guidance and the confidence to thrive in situations of change.

Our Research

Our primary research interprets all aspects of Human Capital Management, drawn from the perspectives of a community of leading HR practitioners across the globe.

From these insights, our advisory and marketing services help solution providers best meet the needs of their customers. We also help buyers understand the HCM market and guide them through the full lifecycle from solution discovery to implementation in order to reach their full potential.

Core Beliefs

We believe in the tenets of transparency, honesty, and trust.

Our insights are a culmination of a combined 20+ years living and breathing the HCM space, but our continued advantage is our ability to be lifelong learners of our domain.

From where we sit, it has never been a more exciting time to be part of the HCM Landscape, and we are fortunate to partner with forward-thinking organizations ready to embrace this new world.

Meet Our Team

Mollie Lombardi
Co-Founder and CEO
With nearly two decades spent advising, developing and studying HR and business leaders, Mollie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in human capital and workforce management insights to help ignite a new conversation at the intersection of HR technology, strategy, and impact. As Co-Founder and CEO of Aptitude Research Partners, she focuses on primary research covering end-to-end human capital management, to help organizations better understand their HR needs and the landscape of HCM technology solutions, and to help solution providers articulate the unique differentiators they bring to meet those needs.
She has spoken around the globe to HR audiences on topics across the HCM spectrum, and has authored hundreds of research reports and papers. Her research has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, eLearning Magazine, CIO Magazine and other trade publications. Prior to Aptitude Research Partners Mollie was Vice President, Workforce Management at Brandon Hall Group and Vice President and Principal Analyst, Human Capital Management at Aberdeen Group.
Madeline Laurano
Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer
Madeline’s primary focus over the last 12+ years has been on the talent management market, specializing in talent acquisition. Her work helps companies both validate and reevaluate their strategies and understand the role technology can play in driving business outcomes. She has watched HCM transform from a back-office function to a strategic company initiative with a focus on partnerships, experience and efficiency. Before Aptitude Research Partners, Madeline held research roles at Aberdeen, Bersin by Deloitte, ERE Media and Brandon Hall Group.
She is co-author of Best Practices in Leading a Global Workforce and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Yahoo News, and The Financial Times. She is a frequent presenter at industry conferences including the HR Technology Conference and Exposition, SHRM, IHRIM, HCI’s Strategic Talent Acquisition conference, GDS International’s HCM Summit, and HRO Today.