Introduction to the 2025 Global Organizational Development Competency Framework
Feb 20, 2025 02:00 PM - 3:00PM
Speakers: Omar Morales, Head of the Organization Development Center of Excellence at Microsoft and Paul O’Beirne, Principal and Founder of ORCA HR Solutions
In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving business landscape, organizations are facing unprecedented challenges—particularly in the context of workforce transformation and the rise of AI. To meet these challenges, HR leaders must evolve beyond traditional roles and become strategic architects of change. According to industry thought leaders like Josh Bersin and insights from Gartner, HR professionals who develop advanced Organization Development (OD) capabilities are uniquely positioned to lead organizational transformation, fostering agility, innovation, and long-term growth. As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making and adopt new technologies, OD skills—such as strategic thinking, systems thinking, and change leadership—are no longer optional; they are essential.
The 2025 Global OD Competency Framework Learning Series, launching on March 13th, offers a practical, future-focused approach to equipping HR and business leaders with the capabilities needed to navigate these shifts. Attendees of the training will gain critical skills that will enable them to consult with leaders, influence organizational design, and shape transformation strategies—all while ensuring their organizations remain competitive in the face of rapid change. This informational discussion, led by Omar Morales, Senior Director of Organization Development at Microsoft and a leader of the Professional Development Pillar for the Organizational Development Network (ODN), and Paul O’Beirne, former Global HR Leader at Microsoft, will provide an overview of how the ODN Learning Series is designed to help participants unlock their potential to drive real business impact.
Omar Morales
Head of the Organization Development Center of Excellence at Microsoft
Omar Morales brings over 15 years of global experience across HR Business Partnership, Talent Management, and Organization Development in Fortune 50 companies spanning CPG, Media & Entertainment, and Technology. Currently, he serves as Head of the Organization Development Center of Excellence at Microsoft, where he leads the People Pillar for AI Transformation, partnering closely with Continuous Improvement and Digital teams to drive a systemic, employee-centered, and process-driven approach to AI transformation.
Omar’s passion for leadership resilience and organizational adaptability is central to his doctoral research at Case Western Reserve University, where he explores strategies for thriving in the future of work. His work focuses on equipping leaders to succeed in times of transformation.
Throughout his career, Omar has architected and implemented workforce strategies, talent solutions, and organizational designs that accelerate innovation and business growth. In his current role, he oversees Operating Model, Team Effectiveness, and the OD Skilling Program, which democratizes critical capabilities—such as strategic clarity, team effectiveness, and organization design—across HR leaders.
Omar holds a Master’s in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and executive certifications in Executive Coaching from Georgetown and Business Management from Columbia. Grounded in a growth mindset, Omar’s leadership reflects his deep belief in empowering people and organizations to transform with purpose.
Paul O’Beirne
Principal and Founder of ORCA HR Solutions
Paul O’Beirne is the Principal and Founder of ORCA HR Solutions, whose mission is “transforming the consciousness and capabilities of leaders” to propel organizations to new levels of success”. ORCA works with diverse organizations bringing integrated leadership and management programs that combine data and insights, leadership coaching, and capabilities development supported by world-class facilitators and coaches.
With over 25 years as a former senior HR leader at Microsoft, he has built organizations in Ireland, India, China, the UK, and the US, with expertise in building organizational blueprints, and governance models and aligning HR with global business strategies.
He has deep experience in leadership and team development, having designed and delivered programs on Global Matrix Management, Performance Management, and Change Leadership. Notably, he collaborated with the London Business School to create a global leadership program for high-potential leaders. Paul’s and ORCA’s recent projects include rolling out a leadership program for 300 leaders across 15 countries on five continents.
Paul has a Masters Organizational Leadership, is an ICF- Professional certified coach, an ATD Master Facilitator, and one of the first certified coaches in Judith Glasser’s “Conversational Intelligence.”. Paul is on the Board of Neural Education which is focused on bringing brain-based learning to teachers and students.