Ramona Agrela
Vice Chancellor, Chief Human Resources Officer
University of California, Irvine
Ramona Agrela serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice Chancellor for the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She is the senior university official responsible for all human resources administration and operations, and has extensive, award-winning experience across multiple HR disciplines. With a passion for helping organizational leaders achieve their strategic goals through progressive talent management strategies, Ramona truly believes that HR’s role is to empower people success through a culture of innovation, learning, and service.
Ramona has transformed human resources at UCI through key initiatives including a transformative, client-centric HR model that equally serves three distinct UCI business units – campus, College of Health Sciences, and UCI Health. Part of the success of the model is the Partnership for Strategy and Innovation center of excellence, where best-in-class leaders within their respective fields of information systems, workforce relations, total rewards, talent acquisition, talent development, performance excellence, communications, engagement, and more, lead high-performing teams to develop and deliver game-changing programs to UCI’s 13,000 staff members.
Elisa Bannon-Jones
Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer
Rue21
Elisa Bannon-Jones, MHCS, is the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Rue21, where she oversees enterprise talent and employment strategies, recruitment and retention practices, total rewards, and corporate culture. With her extensive cross-functional and international experience, she has successfully delivered shareholder value through strategic human resources initiatives aligned with the company's overall plans. Elisa leads a team of professionals responsible for the full employee experience at Rue21, from recruitment to onboarding, retention, and professional development. As a well-known industry expert, she has been a featured speaker at national events and serves on advisory boards for prestigious organizations. She holds certifications in Women in Leadership and The Modern CHRO Role & Strategies for Success and is a certified executive coach. In 2020, she was recognized as CHRO of the Year by HRO Today for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the field of human resources.
Daniel G. Chappell
Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Seacoast Bank
Dan Chappell serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Seacoast Bank (NASDAQ: SBCF), one of the largest community banks headquartered in Florida. Over the past nine years, he has built a highly respected HR organization that has maintained world-class associate engagement scores and earned recognition from American Banker, Human Rights Foundation, Great Place to Work, and Quantum Workplaces, along with many Best Places to Work designations. Most recently, Seacoast was named one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women and a 2023 HRO Today Award Winner for Employee Experience. Reporting directly to the CEO, Dan is responsible for the HR strategy including workforce planning, talent acquisition, total rewards, learning and development, associate engagement, internal communications, and mergers and acquisitions. Dan’s leadership has transformed Seacoast Bank, making it a beacon of excellence in the banking industry, particularly with cultural integration during 16 mergers and acquisitions.
Hala Dean
Director of Learning and Organizational Development
Clarion Events – North America
Hala Dean, Director of Learning and Organizational Development at Clarion Events, North America, stands out for her transformative methods in employee training, drawing on her background in academic, corporate, and executive coaching worlds. After moving from London, U.K., to the U.S. in 2010, she has become a team player in corporate education, merging cutting-edge strategies with practical application. Hala oversees extensive programs including multi-company leadership development, cross-corporate mentoring programs, and diverse, inclusive trainings which can be tailored to individual needs. She passionately works to enhance cultures of continuous learning, with initiatives that promote involvement, creativity, and problem-solving. Hala enjoys creating fun and effective learning atmospheres which result in strong, happy, and productive teams.
Trusha Palkhiwala
Divisional Vice President of Global HR Services
ADP
Very few leaders have the innovative energy and tenacity that ADP’s Trusha Palkhiwala does. As the DVP of Global HR Services at ADP, Trusha approaches her work with a deep understanding of what it means to make employees feel seen, heard, and appreciated, as well as with the expertise that 20-plus years in HR brings. This combination of being a thought leader and a multi-faceted HR professional makes for a leader who knows how to make cultural goals and values a strategic lever in her organization.
These qualities are perhaps best seen in her role as one of the program managers for ADP’s company-wide social recognition program, myMoment, powered by Workhuman. The goals of this program were simple: to strengthen culture and promote employee engagement. Under Trusha’s leadership, this program has achieved so much more.
Suzanne Sanchez
Chief Human Resources Officer
Empower
As the CHRO for Empower, a financial services company on a mission to empower financial freedom for all, Suzanne Sanchez challenges her team to cultivate an inclusive environment where amazing people do great work together. She is responsible for all human resources functions including leading efforts to attract, engage, and retain top talent through innovative total rewards strategies, performance-driven compensation strategies, and diversity and inclusion efforts. She actively supports communities within and outside Empower as the executive sponsor of Aspiring Latinos Moving Forward business resource group, and as a board member for Child’s Advocates Denver CASA.
Theresa Santoro
Global Director of Human Resources and Operations
Actualize Consulting
Theresa Santoro has been an Actualize Consulting HR superstar for over 17 years! As the Global Director of Human Resources and Operations, Theresa has extensive experience managing daily business operations, including overseeing all aspects of recruiting operations, human resources, client management, partnerships, employee management, training for the firm, and the complex initiatives that support a diverse organization. Theresa has interviewed approximately 10,000 candidates throughout her career and onboarded every new hire while introducing them to a culture of gratitude—ensuring gratitude starts the minute she connects with every person she engages with. She has been instrumental in creating a consistent award-winning culture.
Michael E. Yonker
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources and Global Communications Officer
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Michael Yonker is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources and Global Communications Officer for Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: VAC). As CHRO and a member of the company’s executive committee since its inception in 2011, Mike is responsible for leading and executing global, enterprise-wide human resources and global communications strategies and programs that support associates, enable the company’s cultural foundation of Life, fulfilled, and drive its growth and operations strategies. Under his leadership, the company has been recognized for cultural excellence as a Kincentric Best Employer for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023). Additionally, in 2023, MVW ranked No. 1 on Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list as well as No. 1 in hospitality and the No. 1 Most Respected Company.
Tim Young
Vice President and Head of Talent Management
PRIDE Industries
Tim Young provides strategic leadership and guidance on the employee journey, creating a more inclusive and engaged workforce. His department implements all facets of talent management, from outreach and recruiting to onboarding, performance management, training/employee development, and exit. Tim also leads recruiting for PRIDE Industries’ AbilityOne contracts. Tim led a company-wide launch of PRIDE Industries’ refreshed core values: integrity, teamwork, tenacity, and innovation; and developed and implemented strategies to increase and accelerate hiring, while improving the employee experience. Previously, Tim led talent acquisition and human resource functions of companies such as AutoZone, Ross Stores, and Cost-Plus World Market. He was an inaugural commissioner to establish the professional certification system for the Society for Human Resources Management. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University, where he participated in the NCAA Division II National Championships in track and field. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve as an enlisted soldier.
Mohamed Aalim Group Director of Talent and Culture Villa Hotels and Resorts
Becca Abbate Vice President, Human Resources Service Delivery Sysco
Ginny Angilello Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Covanta
Steve Antonoff Vice President of Human Resources CalPortland
Kieth Walter Ayuso Corporate Human Resources Manager Ishraq Hospitality
Andrea Barton Human Resources Director CommonSpirit Health
Megan Bazan Vice President of People Cisco
Anagha Bildikar Head of Global Human Resources Operations and Technology Neeyamo
Cindy Blendu Chief Transformation Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer Clearwater Analytics
Sarah Bonta Head of Employee Engagement and Internal Communications Block, Inc.
Sharon Brand Chief People Officer PlanSource
Pablo Brizi Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Affairs Hilton Grand Vacations
Andrea Brown Human Resources Director LifeMD, Inc.
Anne Buchanan Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer The Guitar Center Company
Ioana Bulacu Chief People Officer IT Genetics
Vicki Cansler Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Piedmont Healthcare, Inc.
Jodi Clever Vice President of Operation and Human Resources Saint Ursula Academy
Jessica Clifton Senior Director of People Operations Pontoon Solutions
David Cook Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer AccentCare
Kristofer Cooper Chief People Officer, Field Operations ChenMed
Dr. Marcelle Davis Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion VCU Health System
Karyn DeFalco Chief People Officer Millennium Trust Company, LLC
Melissa DiMuro Chief People, Culture, and Marketing Officer Limbach Holdings, Inc.
Jenna Dobbins Global Head of Human Resources Pontoon Solutions
Melissa Dreuth Chief of Staff and Chief People Officer Planful
Gianna Driver Chief Human Resources Officer Exabeam
Ndaba Dube Director of Human Resources and Labour Relations The City of Cranbrook
Mario Ellis Chief Human Resources Officer Beacon Health System
Betzy Estrada Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President Urovant Sciences, Inc.
Andrew Face Senior Director, Human Resources New London Hospital
Sarah Fass Chief Human Resources Officer Bridgewater Associates
Annette Favorite Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer West Pharmaceutical Services
Kathleen Federico Senior Vice President and Chief People, Brand, and Communications Officer The MITRE Corporation
Ross Fernandez Global Talent Acquisition Director Imperial Brands
Cindy Fiedelman Chief Human Resources Officer Digital Realty
Dale Fisher Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Deerfield Public Schools District 109
Jennifer Foreman Chief Human Resources Officer Charter Schools USA
Jay Fortuna Vice President, Learning and Organizational Development GoHealth
Veronica Franco Chief Human Resources Officer Pestana Hotel Group
Anitha Ganesan Director of Human Resources and Head of People Healthcare2U
Jody Garofalo Director of Human Resources Select Medical
Andrea Giraldo Head of People and Culture Monstarlab
Margie Harris Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Tellurian
Liam Hatcher Head of People and Development CH&CO Catering Limited
Nancy Hauge Chief People Experience Officer Automation Anywhere
Shannon Hobbs Chief People Officer GEICO
Stephanie Holloman Assistant Chief and Human Resources Director Orange County Fire Authority
Shane Holmes People Director CBRE
Anne Ioos Cluster Human Resources Director IHG Hotels & Resorts
Kim Jones Vice President of Human Resources Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.
Diljot Kaur Vice President of People and Culture Softbank Energy
Chase Kempton Director of Human Resources Squeeze
Ted Kezios Senior Vice President, People Care Cisco
Maja Kukielka Human Resources Director Greenberg Traurig Poland
Alex Kweskin Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Banc of California
Erin Lecuyer Director of Human Engagement ID & Design International
Einav Lavi Chief Human Resources Officer Qualitest
Tracy Layney Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Levi Strauss & Co.
Camye Mackey Executive Vice President and Chief People, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena
Cecilia McKenney Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Quest Diagnostics
Emma Miller Head of HR Block, Inc.
Rachel Miller Chief Human Resources Officer Roebbelen Contracting, Inc.
Geri Morgan Chief People Officer Intellum
Melissa Morrow Partner and Chief People Officer Calcium
Kelly Murphy Assistant Vice President and Human Resources Business Partner Oschner Health
Besa Muthuri Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Advisor of People Operations African Chartered Managers
Angela Nally Director of Human Resources DePauw University
Rudy Navarro Chief People Officer Bakers Burgers
Alex Nicolaus Chief People Officer Paysend
Elizabeth Omar Senior Director of Global Talent Acquisition Becton Dickenson
Kathleen Pai Chief People Officer N-able
Ashley Parker Talent and Culture Manager Novotel Ottawa Hotel
Carl Peers Senior Vice President of Human Resources OneBlood
Sean Pieris Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources CloudMD
Diane Psaras Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer VITAS Healthcare
Amber Rabo Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Talent Acquisition Cheniere Energy
Aida Rosa Chief Human Resources Officer San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Dan Ross Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer DZConneX
Lawton Samuels Vice President of Human Resources CHAP
Tamara Saunatis Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer University of Maryland Medical System
Cristina Serrano Human Resources Director Build 38
Daniella Shykhabutdinova Former Human Resources Director; Current Chief Operating Officer Weblium
Nora Sievers Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition, Management, and Development UnitedHealth Group
Ekta Singh Director of Talent Acquisition VComply
Anna Sisianu Human Resources Director FusionWorks
Mike Sorensen Chief Collaborator Experience Officer Nightingale College
Lisa Sterling Chief People Officer Perceptyx
Sylvia Stultz Head of Talent Attraction Zulu Alpha Kilo
Jennifer F. Terry Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer The Bancorp
Betty Thompson Chief People Officer Booz Allen Hamilton
Carlos Vargas Vice President of Human Resources and Technology Adventist HealthCare
Regina Vereen Vice President of People House of Cheatham
Janine Walter Chief Human Resource Officer Galway Holdings and EPIC Brokers
Melissa Werneck Executive Vice President and Global Chief People Officer The Kraft Heinz Company
Denise Williams Chief People Officer FIS
Sarah Wilson Chief People Officer Rokt
Dionne Wright Senior Director, People Services Center PJM Interconnection
Agata Wrzesniak Lead of People Operations Pontoon Solutions
Becky Yarbrough Chief Human Resources Officer Willows Way
Hicham Zekraoui Head of Human Resources Allianz Trade Morocco and Tunisia
Diane Zimmer Global Director of Talent Acquisition embecta