People of McMaster is a series celebrating the incredible people who help make McMaster a great place to work, learn, teach and conduct research. This is the 11th instalment of this series. Click here for the previous one.  

From dashboards to data strategy, Rosiel Tang is helping shape the future of human resources at McMaster — one insight at a time. With a passion for analytics and a curiosity that never stops, Tang brings both technical expertise and human-centred thinking to her role in HR’s People Analytics team.  

People Analytics uses data to better understand and support the workforce — spotting trends, improving processes and making decisions that help McMaster and its people thrive. It’s where technical skills meet human impact, and Rosiel brings both to the table.  

Her story is one of growth, innovation, and a love of learning — both inside and outside the office. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

It’s all about continuous improvement. My team works as a bridge between the technical and business sides of HR, so one day I might be collaborating with stakeholders to understand their needs, and the next I’m deep in data — cleaning, building models, or creating dashboards.  

Because People Analytics is about turning raw information into actionable insights, the goal is always the same: to make HR processes more efficient and impactful, and ultimately improve the employee experience. 

What drew you to HR analytics specifically?

I’ve always loved data, but what makes HR analytics special is its human focus. It’s not just about numbers — it’s about the people behind them. There’s something powerful about using data to uncover insights that can genuinely improve someone’s work experience. 

How did your career path bring you to McMaster?

After completing my master’s in management analytics at Laurier, I knew I wanted to focus on HR — even though I was the only one in my cohort doing so! McMaster was the perfect fit. I’ve had the chance to work on projects that touch everything from wellness and health and safety to systems and strategy. It’s been a place where I can grow and explore different areas of HR. 

What makes McMaster stand out as a workplace?

The people. Our team is incredibly supportive and open-minded, and the culture here really encourages trying new things. There’s a strong sense of collaboration, and that creates so many opportunities to innovate and learn from others. 

Is there a project or moment that’s been especially memorable?

Definitely the data strategy and data governance initiatives. They gave me the chance to collaborate across departments and see how everything connects. Those projects were also a perfect example of People Analytics in action — bringing together governance, integration and reporting to make data a shared asset. 

And on a personal note, touring the nuclear reactor on campus was such a cool and unexpected experience — it reminded me just how diverse and exciting McMaster really is. 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not analyzing data?

I love learning languages — right now I’m studying Spanish — and I’m a big gamer. Recently I’ve been into Zelda and Baldur’s Gate.  

I think that curiosity and love for exploring new worlds, whether it’s through language or games, reflects how I approach life in general. 

What advice would you give to others starting out in their careers?

Be yourself. And stay curious — always keep learning. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and the journey is just as important as the destination.