THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF CONTENT AND CONNECTIVITY HUMAN RESOURCES
JAN/FEB 2026
5 Questions With Nick Dunlap
Compensation Executive and C2HR President
After serving on the C2HR Board of Directors since 2022, Nick Dunlap, Vice President of Executive Compensation at Charter Communications, was recently appointed President of C2HR. This achievement marked just one professional milestone for Nick as 2026 represents his twentieth year working in the field of compensation. Shortly after Nick took office, we sat down with him to learn more about his journey and how he maintains work-life balance in the demanding, ever-changing profession of human resources.
Q. What has been the biggest change you’ve seen in HR during your career?
“The legal and regulatory landscape around compensation has changed significantly over the past 20 years,” says Nick. “Since I started out as an executive compensation consultant, I’ve seen the global financial crisis bring about many changes in pay practices – and reinforce the importance of internal controls and governance process.”
Over time, new disclosure rules, CEO pay ratio reporting and pay-for-performance analyses have reshaped how compensation professionals operate particularly in executive compensation. Responsibilities have expanded, scrutiny has increased, and transparency has become essential.
“Looking back, it is remarkable how the responsibilities for compensation practitioners, particularly within the executive space, have expanded,” explained Nick.
Q: What professional achievement stands out most to you?
“Whenever a major compensation program gets created and rolled out, it is an exciting, memorable moment,” says Nick. “Most recently, Charter launched an Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 2025 that provides our employees with the opportunity to purchase Charter stock, and the Company provides matching Restricted Stock Units that grow with tenure. The program design was tailored to the broader employee population to give them an ownership opportunity. It has been rewarding to see it come to life and be well received by employees.”
Q: Is there a quote that has stayed with you over the years?
“One of my favorite quotes is from Jean Luc Picard: It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness; that is life.”
The Stark Trek quote resonates because it reflects the realities of leadership where effort and intention don’t always guarantee outcomes. For Nick, it’s a reminder to stay grounded and not take setbacks personally.
Q: How do you maintain healthy boundaries between work and personal life?
“I make exercising every day and spending time with my wife and dogs a priority. I also aim for eight hours of sleep every night. Taking care of yourself is essential to being effective in your role.”
Long walks with his dogs have become a favorite way for Nick to unwind. For him, personal well-being isn’t separate from professional leadership. It’s foundational to it.
Q: How has your involvement in C2HR made you a better leader?
“C2HR has connected me with other HR professionals across our industry and has provided a platform for exchanging ideas, discussing HR challenges and opportunities we’re facing, and learning from the expertise of others,” says Nick. “The C2HR community has made me a better leader as I am constantly aware of relevant trends, have visibility into new and creative opportunities (such as leveraging AI), and can tap into a network of other HR professionals for knowledge and insight.”
For Nick, leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying curious, staying connected, and continuing to learn from others who are navigating similar challenges in different ways. As the HR profession continues to evolve driven by technology, regulation, and shifting employee expectations, he remains focused on what has always mattered most: people.
Whether he’s helping design compensation programs, mentoring colleagues, or contributing to C2HR’s mission, Nick’s approach reflects a steady commitment to thoughtful leadership and long-term impact.
Two decades into his career, he isn’t just looking back on how far the field has come. He’s looking ahead to how HR, and C2HR in particular, can grow, adapt, and support the ever-evolving needs of HR professionals in the media, technology and entertainment industry.
Thank You, 2026 Sponsors!
If your company would like to further C2HR’s efforts in 2026, please contact
Parthavi Das at parthavi@frontlineco.com or visit C2hr.org/events/event-sponsorships.
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