TOP CHRO LIST – The People Leaders To Watch
N2Growth and the Stanford Graduate School of Business are pleased to congratulate those individuals named on the 2021 Top CHRO List. This year, we’ve expanded the list to be more inclusive of recognizing the increased contribution that HR leaders create in today’s global marketplace.
In addition to recognizing the best Chief Human Resources Officers, we also note those previously on our CHRO list not ranked this year and new up and comers in our watchlist. While virtually all Human Resources leaders were looking forward to moving beyond 2020, the oft-used predictive admonishment of “be careful what you wish for” has been an accurate foreshadowing of the first nine months of 2021. Leading through transition has always been the hallmark of great people leaders, but 2021 is undoubtedly testing even the best CHROs. HR leaders have found themselves having to navigate a seemingly never-ending talent tsunami.
Rapidly changing social norms and the continued erosion of trust across and between governments, employers, and the workforce at large have further complicated the job of Chief Human Resources Officers. As companies struggle with macro events like the lingering health and economic aspects of the pandemic, “the great exit” (AKA “the great resignation”), political and economic instability, combined with managing the operational impact of distributed and hybrid workforce dynamics, COVID variants, mask and vaccine mandates, travel lock-downs, quarantines, restrictions, and heightened emphasis on ESG and DE&I initiatives, etc. The elasticity of even the most resilient CHRO has been tested.
“The latest trend in the world of work: the hybrid paradox is being largely addressed by CHROs, and care is the new currency they are working with.”
Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella
The net effect is that CHROs are making a more significant difference than ever before. Whether leading an emerging growth company or a large multinational corporation, aside from the CEO, there is arguably no position that has impact and contribution like the CHRO. While Chief Digital/Technology Officers or Chief Marketing Officers are often tagged with the innovator label, the CHRO is the real innovator in 2021. Remember, people and culture enable technology and marketing success – not the other way around.
We’ve observed a forward-leaning, future-focused growth mindset reflected in the 2021 List of Top CHROs. While many organizations seem stuck in the quagmire of convergent events described above, the best leaders are not going back to work, but have focused on rapidly propelling their companies into the future by moving forward with work.
N2Growth has compiled and curated the Top CHRO list since 2015 and began partnering with the Stanford Graduate School of Business with the 2020 Top CHRO list.
The 2021 Top CHRO Award is a list curated by a panel of N2Growth team members including Mike Myatt, Kelli Vukelic, Jeffrey Cohn, and trusted advisors to ensure rigor in our selection process.
In the years that have passed since our inaugural list, we’ve continued to expand and refine the list by looking for CHROs capable of innovating and outperforming their peers, regardless of the current market dynamics in play. These Human Resources leaders represent the top 40 HR professionals shaping careers, culture, and talent at the world’s most innovative people-driven companies.
“What makes a great CHRO, great? Many things actually. First, they must know how to scale people, helping key individuals effectively make a massive impact across the entire organization. Second, they must become a trusted consigliere to the CEO. Third, they must feel comfortable with a seat at the board room table, debating future strategic options. And finally, the very best CHRO’s are visionary. They focus on reinvention, not just replication.”
Given not all CHROs are created equal, how do you differentiate from those who simply sit in the chair versus those who set the chinning bar for the future of the role? Put simply, how do you judge the success of a Chief Human Resources Officer, and who qualifies for the 2021 Top CHRO List?
Following is the criteria used in selecting this year’s LEADERS40 recipients:
- Impact, growth, and performance of the organizations they lead.
- Impact on their industry and in the broader communities they serve.
- Those recognized on the Top 2021 CHRO List must be engaged, transparent, and accountable – they must care.
- They are passionate about their people and their well-being.
- An examination of the talent they’ve helped to attract and retain.
- General and specific observations of the culture they’ve had a hand in shaping.
- For members of the 2021 Top CHRO List, DE&I and ESG initiatives are a cornerstone of their work, not an afterthought.
- Take stock of the progressive development plans and programs they’ve made available to the workforce.
- Evaluate the creativity, reasonability, and effectiveness of the compensation programs in existence.
- Look for and find excellent workforce dynamics, engagement, and satisfaction.
- Build a well-positioned and robust employer brand.
- Include HR’s hand in everything as an enabler and contributor to operations flowing through to customer and client satisfaction.
While the above list is certainly not all-inclusive, it does start to paint a picture of the critical roles CHROs play in the success of any business enterprise. To be recognized on the 2021 Top CHRO List, the words leadership, team, succession, purpose, culture, governance, and diversity are not just buzzwords – they represent who a CHRO is, what they believe, and where they work every day. The depth and breadth of the skills and talents possessed by this next generation of CHROs have taken them from not having a “seat at the table” too often making them a logical choice as a successor candidate to CEOs.
The Top CHRO List is sponsored by Stanford Graduate School of Business. Stanford GSB's mission is to create ideas that deepen and advance our understanding of management and with those ideas to develop innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change the world.
Rank | Name | Title | Company | Industry | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Beth Whited | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Union Pacific | Transportation / Logistics | Beth WhitedEVP & Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 3 Years | |
2 | Carol Surface | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Medtronic | Healthcare / Life Sciences | Carol SurfaceEVP & Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 8 Years, 1 Months | |
3 | Tim Huval | Chief Administrative Officer & CHRO | Humana | Healthcare / Life Sciences | Tim HuvalChief Administrative Officer & CHRO Role Tenure: 8 Years, 10 Months | |
4 | Teuila Hanson | SVP & Chief People Officer | Technology | Teuila HansonSVP & Chief People Officer Role Tenure: 1 Year, 4 Months | ||
5 | Katarina Berg | Chief Human Resources Officer | Spotify | Media / Entertainment | Katarina BergChief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 7 Years, 11 Months | |
6 | Lucy Hur | Chief People Officer | Slalom Consulting | Professional Services | Lucy HurChief People Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years, 6 Months | |
7 | Roseann Lynch | CPO & Head of Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation | Ralph Lauren Corporation | Consumer / Retail | Roseann LynchCPO & Head of Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Role Tenure: 2 Years, 8 Months | |
8 | Mary George Opperman | VP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Cornell University | Academia/ Higher ED/ Ed Tech | Mary George OppermanVP & Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 1 Year | |
9 | Russ Hagey | Partner & Worldwide Chief Talent Officer | Bain | Professional Services | Russ HageyPartner & Worldwide Chief Talent Officer Role Tenure: 14 Years, 9 Months | |
10 | Mona Malone | CHRO & Head of People and Culture | BMO Financial Group | Banking/ Insurance/ Finance | Mona MaloneCHRO & Head of People and Culture Role Tenure: 2 Years, 5 Months | |
11 | Jeff Stoicheff | Senior Vice President, Human Resources | Penske Logistics | Transportation / Logistics | Jeff StoicheffSenior Vice President, Human Resources Role Tenure: 14 Years, 8 Months | |
12 | Monique Matheson | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Nike | Consumer / Retail | Monique MathesonEVP & Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 4 Years, 2 Months | |
13 | Christine Rogers-Raetsch | Chief People Officer | Duolingo | Academia/ Higher ED/ Ed Tech | Christine Rogers-RaetschChief People Officer Role Tenure: 5 Years | |
14 | Kristi Cappelletti-Matthews | Chief Human Resources Officer | VSP Global | Banking/ Insurance/ Finance | Kristi Cappelletti-MatthewsChief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 13 Years, 9 Months | |
15 | Sven Oddens | EVP & Group Human Resources Director | JustEat Takeaway | Consumer / Retail | Sven OddensEVP & Group Human Resources Director Role Tenure: 1 Year, 1 Month | |
16 | Katie Burke | Chief People Officer | HubSpot | Technology | Katie BurkeChief People Officer Role Tenure: 4 Years, 9 Months | |
17 | Cristina Wilbur | Chief People Officer | Roche | Healthcare / Life Sciences | Christina WilburChief People Officer Role Tenure: 5 Years | |
18 | Anna Fraser | Chief People Officer | Sonos | Media / Entertainment | Anna FraserChief People Officer Role Tenure: 4 Years, 9 Months | |
19 | Debra Thompson | Chief People Officer | Chegg | Academia/ Higher ED/ Ed Tech | Debra ThompsonChief People Officer Role Tenure: 1 Year, 7 Months | |
20 | Alexandra Brandão | Head of Human Resources | Banco Santander | Banking/ Insurance/ Finance | Alexandra BrandãoHead of Human Resources Role Tenure: 1 Year, 1 Month | |
21 | Kit Herrera | Senior Vice President, Human Resources | Discovery, Inc. | Media / Entertainment | Kit HerreraSenior Vice President, Human Resources Role Tenure: 3 Years, 6 Months | |
22 | Ellyn Shook | Chief Leadership & Human Resources Officer | Accenture | Professional Services | Ellyn ShookChief Leadership & Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 7 Years, 7 Months | |
23 | Lynne Oldham | Chief People Officer | Zoom | Technology | Lynne OldhamChief People Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years, 9 Months | |
24 | Frank Lopez | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Ryder System Inc. | Transportation / Logistics | Frank LopezEVP & Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 5 Years, 8 Months | |
25 | Matthew Breitfelder | Global Head of Human Capital & Senior Partner | Apollo Global Management | Banking/ Insurance/ Finance | Matthew BreitfelderGlobal Head of Human Capital & Senior Partner Role Tenure: 2 Years, 5 Months | |
26 | Stan Duncan | Chief People Officer | Conde Nast | Media / Entertainment | Stan DuncanChief People Officer Role Tenure: 1 Year, 10 Months | |
27 | Gloria Chen | Chief People Officer & EVP, Employee Experience | Adobe | Technology | Gloria ChenChief People Officer & EVP, Employee Experience Role Tenure: 1 Year, 9 Months | |
28 | Cordelia Abreu | Senior Vice President, Human Resources Americas | DHL Express | Transportation / Logistics | Cordelia AbreuSenior Vice President, Human Resources Americas Role Tenure: 2 Years, 1 Month | |
29 | Anne Lebel | Group CHRO | Capgemini | Professional Services | Anne LebelGroup CHRO Role Tenure: 1 Year, 3 Months | |
30 | Tracey Franklin | Chief Human Resources Officer | Moderna | Healthcare / Life Sciences | Tracey FranklinChief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years | |
31 | Lisa Chang | Global Chief People Officer | The Coca-Cola Company | Consumer / Retail | Lisa ChangGlobal Chief People Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years, 7 Months | |
32 | Rich Jacquet | Chief People Officer | Coursera | Academia/ Higher ED/ Ed Tech | Rich JacquetChief People Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years, 9 Months | |
33 | Brent Hyder | President & Chief People Officer | Salesforce | Technology | Brent HyderPresident & Chief People Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years, 1 Month | |
34 | Abdulaziz Al Ali | Executive Vice President, Human Resources | Emirates Air | Transportation / Logistics | Abdulaziz Al AliExecutive Vice President, Human Resources Role Tenure: 18 Years, 2 Months | |
35 | Stacy Green | EVP & Chief People Officer | Sony Pictures Entertainment | Media / Entertainment | Stacy GreenEVP & Chief People Officer Role Tenure: 3 Years, 3 Months | |
36 | Donna Morris | Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer | Walmart | Consumer / Retail | Donna MorrisExecutive Vice President, Chief People Officer Role Tenure: 1 Year, 8 Months | |
37 | Cathy Fraser | Chief Human Resources Officer | Mayo Clinic | Healthcare / Life Sciences | Cathy FraserChief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 5 Years, 9 Months | |
38 | Mary Bilbrey | Global Chief Human Resources Officer | JLL | Professional Services | Mary BilbreyGlobal Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years, 8 Months | |
39 | Sean Woodroffe | Senior EVP & Chief People Officer | TIAA | Banking/ Insurance/ Finance | Sean WoodroffeSenior EVP & Chief People Officer Role Tenure: 3 Years, 7 Months | |
40 | Cheryl Lloyd | VP, Systemwide HR and Chief Human Resources Officer | University of California | Academia/ Higher ED/ Ed Tech | Cheryl LloydVP, Systemwide HR and Chief Human Resources Officer Role Tenure: 2 Years |
Name | Title | Company | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Susan Schmitt Winchester | SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Applied Materials | Santa Clara, CA |
Sheri Bronstein | Chief Human Resources Officer | Bank of America | Charlotte, NC |
Arnnon Geshuri | Chief Human Resources Officer | Teladoc Health | Purchase, NY |
Kathleen Hogan | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Microsoft | Redmond, WA |
Dierdre O'Brien | Senior Vice President, Retail + People | Apple | Cupertino, CA |
Dean Carter | Global Human Resources & Shared Services | Patagonia | Ventura, CA |
Sung Hae Kim | Chief People Person | Rippleworks | Redwood City, CA |
Cheryl Johnson | Chief Human Resources Officer | Caterpillar | Deerfield, IL |
Catherine Lenson | Managing Partner, CHRO & Head of Social Impact | Softbank | Tokyo, Japan |
Christine Deputy | Chief People Officer | San Francisco, CA | |
Marissa Andrada | Chief Diversity, Inclusion & People Officer | Chipotle | Newport Beach, CA |
Julia Weber | VP & Chief People Officer | Southwest Airlines | Dallas, TX |
Nickle LaMoreaux | Chief Human Resources Officer | IBM | Armonk NY |
Gianna Driver | CHRO & Chief People Officer | BlueVine | Redwood City, CA |
Kristina Johnson | Chief People Officer | Okta | San Francisco, CA |
Jacqueline M. Welch | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | The New York TImes | New York City, NY |
Christy Pambianchi | EVP & Chief People Officer | Intel Corporation | Santa Clara, CA |
Pat Wadors | Chief People Officer | Procore Technologies, Inc | Carpinteria, CA |
Charlene Thomas | Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer | UPS | Atlanta, GA |
Lynanne Kunkel | Chief Human Resources Officer | Vail Resorts | Broomfield, CO |
2020 RANK | Name | Title | Company | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tim Huval | Chief Administrative Officer & CHRO | Humana | |
2 | Lisa Buckingham | Chief Human Resources Officer | Lincoln Financial Group | |
3 | Beth Galetti | Chief Human Resources Officer | Amazon | |
4 | Beth Whited | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Union Pacific | |
5 | Ellyn J. Shook | Chief Leadership & Human Resources Officer | Accenture | |
6 | Carol Surface | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | MedTronic | |
7 | Kathleen Hogan | Chief People Officer | Microsoft | |
8 | Pat Wadors | Chief Human Resources Officer | ServiceNow | |
9 | Christy Pambianchi | Chief Human Resources Officer | Verizon | |
10 | Mary Bilbrey | Global Chief Human Resources Officer | JLL | |
11 | Lisa Chang | Global Chief People Officer | The Coca-Cola Company | |
12 | Donna Morris | Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer | Walmart | |
13 | Matthew Breitfelder | Global Head of Human Capital & Senior Partner | Apollo Global Management | |
14 | Charlene Thomas | Chief Human Resources Officer | UPS | |
15 | Dierdre O'Brien | Senior Vice President, Retail + People | Apple | |
16 | Monique Matheson | EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer | Nike | |
17 | Jessica Neal | Chief Human Resources Officer | Netflix | |
18 | Leena Nair | Chief Human Resources Officer | Unilever | |
19 | Sean Woodroffe | Senior EVP & Chief People Officer | TIAA | |
20 | Ashley Goldsmith | Chief People Officer | Workday | |
21 | Brian Fishel | Chief Human Resources Officer | KeyBank | |
22 | Beth Simonetti | Chief Human Resources Officer | Tech Data | |
23 | Mary Finch | Chief Human Resources Officer | DXC Technology | |
24 | Amy Reichanadter | Chief People Officer | Databricks | |
25 | Deb DeVerna | Chief People Officer | Octave Group |
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