50 People and Culture Directors at US Employers

Last updated: August 2026.

People and culture leaders shape how large employers hire, develop and support their people. As of August 2026, that work reaches well beyond the traditional HR department. It includes leadership development, learning, rewards, inclusion, workforce planning, employee experience, workplace technology and, increasingly, the way organisations use artificial intelligence.

This list brings together 50 current people and culture leaders at major employers in the United States. It includes chief people officers, chief human resources officers and close equivalents whose public role reaches across a large workforce or a major business unit. The list is a practical starting point for readers who work in people and culture, lead teams, study workplace practice or want to see how large organisations make people decisions.

Why these leaders matter.

The people function has become a bridge between business strategy and daily work. A technology company may need new skills at speed. A retailer may need to make frontline work more sustainable. A healthcare employer may need to keep thousands of people connected to a demanding purpose. The leaders below sit close to those choices.

The names are presented alphabetically by surname for easy navigation, not as a ranking. Each entry gives the current public role, the employer and one distinctive, source-backed detail. Roles can change, so check the official source linked in each entry before using the information in a public document.

1. Amy Coleman.

EVP and Chief People Officer, Microsoft.

Amy Coleman is the EVP and Chief People Officer at Microsoft. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Microsoft’s official biography says she supports more than 220,000 employees and brings 27 years of leadership experience. That combination makes Coleman a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

2. Donna Morris.

Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Walmart.

Donna Morris is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Walmart. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Walmart says she leads global people strategy for more than two million associates and has made skills development and wellbeing central to her remit. That combination makes Morris a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

3. Francine Katsoudas.

EVP and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer, Cisco.

Francine Katsoudas is the EVP and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer at Cisco. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Cisco’s biography places people, communities, sustainability, social impact, policy and workplace resources inside her portfolio. That combination makes Katsoudas a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

4. Nickle LaMoreaux.

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, IBM.

Nickle LaMoreaux is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at IBM. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. IBM says she supports more than 300,000 IBMers in 175 countries and began her own IBM career as an intern. That combination makes LaMoreaux a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

5. Gloria Chen.

Chief People Officer and EVP, Employee Experience, Adobe.

Gloria Chen is the Chief People Officer and EVP, Employee Experience at Adobe. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Adobe says she leads people and workplace strategy for more than 30,000 employees in 70 locations and has spent over 25 years with the company. That combination makes Chen a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

6. Tiffanie Boyd.

EVP and Global Chief People Officer, McDonald’s.

Tiffanie Boyd is the EVP and Global Chief People Officer at McDonald’s. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. McDonald’s says she oversees talent, rewards, learning, culture and organisational effectiveness after serving as the US people leader. That combination makes Boyd a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

7. Becky Schmitt.

EVP and Chief People Officer, PepsiCo.

Becky Schmitt is the EVP and Chief People Officer at PepsiCo. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. PepsiCo’s biography says she joined in 2023 after serving as chief people officer at Cognizant and leading large-scale HR work at Accenture in India. That combination makes Schmitt a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

8. Bala Purushothaman.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Procter & Gamble.

Bala Purushothaman is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Procter & Gamble. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. P&G describes his focus as organisation design, culture, talent as a competitive advantage and the employee experience. That combination makes Purushothaman a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

9. Jacqui Canney.

Chief People and AI Enablement Officer, ServiceNow.

Jacqui Canney is the Chief People and AI Enablement Officer at ServiceNow. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. ServiceNow says she leads talent strategy for its growing global workforce and focuses on employee experience and generative AI. That combination makes Canney a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

10. Ashley Goldsmith.

Chief People Officer, Workday.

Ashley Goldsmith is the Chief People Officer at Workday. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Workday says she leads global HR, belonging and diversity, and global impact, after earlier CHRO roles at Polycom, Roche and Ventana. That combination makes Goldsmith a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

11. Carol Surface.

Chief People Officer, HP.

Carol Surface is the Chief People Officer at HP. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. HP says she joined as chief people officer in 2025 after serving as CPO at Apple and CHRO at Medtronic and Best Buy. That combination makes Surface a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

12. Nathalie Scardino.

President and Chief People Officer, Salesforce.

Nathalie Scardino is the President and Chief People Officer at Salesforce. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Salesforce says she leads Employee Success and is applying AI to engagement, hiring and workforce planning. That combination makes Scardino a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

13. Beth Galetti.

SVP, People Experience and Technology, Amazon.

Beth Galetti is the SVP, People Experience and Technology at Amazon. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Amazon’s workplace material describes her focus on applying its Leadership Principles to people problems and employee experience. That combination makes Galetti a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

14. Fiona Cicconi.

SVP, People Operations and Chief People Officer, Alphabet and Google.

Fiona Cicconi is the SVP, People Operations and Chief People Officer at Alphabet and Google. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Google’s diversity report identifies her as a senior people leader and member of the Alphabet and Google DEI Advisory Council. That combination makes Cicconi a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

15. Steven Starace.

Chief Human Resources Officer, CGI.

Steven Starace is the Chief Human Resources Officer at CGI. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. CGI says he has led HR since 2023 and brings more than 35 years of operational leadership across talent, learning, rewards and wellbeing. That combination makes Starace a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

16. Kathy Diaz.

Chief People Officer, Cognizant.

Kathy Diaz is the Chief People Officer at Cognizant. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Cognizant says she built its global total rewards function and modernised compensation, benefits, wellbeing and talent architecture. That combination makes Diaz a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

17. Deeanne King.

Chief People Officer, T-Mobile.

Deeanne King is the Chief People Officer at T-Mobile. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. T-Mobile says she brings more than 30 years at Sprint and leadership experience spanning HR, diversity and customer experience. That combination makes King a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

18. Sonia Coleman.

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

Sonia Coleman is the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at The Walt Disney Company. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Disney says she leads talent, leadership development, organisation design, education, rewards and HR technology across the company. That combination makes Coleman a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

19. Vicki Williams.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Comcast.

Vicki Williams is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Comcast. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Comcast announced her appointment as CHRO in April 2026, with Melanie Penna leading HR for Connectivity and Platforms. That combination makes Williams a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

20. Sara Wechter.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Citi.

Sara Wechter is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Citi. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Citi says she leads talent strategy across recruiting, learning, talent management, rewards and employee relations, and has held the role since 2018. That combination makes Wechter a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

21. Sheri Bronstein.

Chief People Officer, Bank of America.

Sheri Bronstein is the Chief People Officer at Bank of America. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Bank of America says she leads HR, security, communications, philanthropy and workforce development for a global HR team of 4,800. That combination makes Bronstein a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

22. Robin Leopold.

Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources, JPMorganChase.

Robin Leopold is the Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources at JPMorganChase. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. JPMorganChase says she leads global human capital strategy and has spent more than 20 years in financial-services HR leadership. That combination makes Leopold a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

23. Jacqueline Arthur.

Global Head of Human Capital Management, Goldman Sachs.

Jacqueline Arthur is the Global Head of Human Capital Management at Goldman Sachs. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Goldman Sachs says she leads global HCM and serves on the Management Committee after joining the firm in 2007. That combination makes Arthur a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

24. Bei Ling.

Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Wells Fargo.

Bei Ling is the Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Wells Fargo. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Wells Fargo says she owns human capital strategy and previously led talent development and total rewards at JPMorgan. That combination makes Ling a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

25. Melissa Kremer.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Target.

Melissa Kremer is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Target. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Target says she leads HR for more than 400,000 team members and started with the retailer as a recruiter in 2004. That combination makes Kremer a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

26. Laura Fuentes.

Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of Hilton Supply Management, Hilton.

Laura Fuentes is the Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of Hilton Supply Management at Hilton. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Hilton says she has led HR since 2020 and combines people leadership with responsibility for hospitality supply management. That combination makes Fuentes a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

27. Ty Breland.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Marriott International.

Ty Breland is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Marriott International. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Marriott says he has led global HR through the Starwood integration and built digital learning and emerging-leader programmes. That combination makes Breland a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

28. Stephanie Smith.

Executive Vice President of Human Resources, The Home Depot.

Stephanie Smith is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources at The Home Depot. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. The Home Depot lists her on its senior leadership team as the executive responsible for human resources. That combination makes Smith a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

29. Yolanda Seals-Coffield.

Chief People and Inclusion Officer, PwC US.

Yolanda Seals-Coffield is the Chief People and Inclusion Officer at PwC US. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. PwC says she leads People and Inclusion for more than 75,000 employees and has helped reimagine the people experience. That combination makes Seals-Coffield a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

30. Elizabeth Faber.

Global Chief People and Purpose Officer, Deloitte.

Elizabeth Faber is the Global Chief People and Purpose Officer at Deloitte. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Deloitte says she chairs global talent, inclusion and purpose committees and has spent more than 30 years with the firm. That combination makes Faber a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

31. Angela Beatty.

Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer, Accenture.

Angela Beatty is the Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer at Accenture. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Accenture says she became CHRO in 2024 after leading talent, rewards and employee experience globally. That combination makes Beatty a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

32. Monique Matheson.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, NIKE.

Monique Matheson is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at NIKE. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Nike says she leads recruitment, succession, learning, inclusion, engagement, pay and employee relations, after joining the company in 1998. That combination makes Matheson a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

33. Arden Hoffman.

Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, General Motors.

Arden Hoffman is the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at General Motors. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. GM says she became chief people officer in 2023 after people leadership roles at Google and Goldman Sachs. That combination makes Hoffman a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

34. Chris Wronsky.

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Lockheed Martin.

Chris Wronsky is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Lockheed Martin. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Lockheed Martin says he supports a global workforce of 120,000 across more than 57 countries and also oversees global security. That combination makes Wronsky a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

35. Kate Gebo.

Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations, United Airlines.

Kate Gebo is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations at United Airlines. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. United says she leads a global team of more than 800 and previously served as chief customer officer. That combination makes Gebo a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

36. Allison Ausband.

Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Delta Air Lines.

Allison Ausband is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Delta Air Lines. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Delta says she leads talent management, rewards and HR service delivery for a workforce of 100,000. That combination makes Ausband a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

37. Darrell Ford.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, UPS.

Darrell Ford is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at UPS. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. UPS says he leads people, health and safety strategy for approximately 460,000 UPSers and chairs The UPS Foundation. That combination makes Ford a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

38. Susan Muigai.

Chief People Officer, Mastercard.

Susan Muigai is the Chief People Officer at Mastercard. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Mastercard says she joined in 2025 and leads global HR across culture, learning, talent, engagement, compensation and benefits. That combination makes Muigai a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

39. Jennifer Waldo.

Chief People and Employee Experience Officer, Ford Motor Company.

Jennifer Waldo is the Chief People and Employee Experience Officer at Ford Motor Company. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Ford’s biography says she leads employee experience and previously led organisation and talent development, inclusion, recruiting and executive development. That combination makes Waldo a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

40. Pat Myers.

Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, McDonald’s USA.

Pat Myers is the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at McDonald’s USA. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. McDonald’s says she leads people strategy for the US business and brings experience across talent, culture and organisational effectiveness. That combination makes Myers a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

41. Maren Waggoner.

SVP and Chief People Officer, Digital and Associate Experience, Walmart.

Maren Waggoner is the SVP and Chief People Officer, Digital and Associate Experience at Walmart. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Walmart identifies her as the people leader for digital and associate experience, connecting workplace design with the company’s technology businesses. That combination makes Waggoner a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

42. Leslie O’Hara.

Chief People Officer, PepsiCo Foods North America.

Leslie O’Hara is the Chief People Officer at PepsiCo Foods North America. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Her published biography describes her people leadership across PepsiCo Foods North America and earlier HR roles in large consumer businesses. That combination makes OHara a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

43. Heidi Capozzi.

Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, CVS Health.

Heidi Capozzi is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at CVS Health. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. CVS Health lists her as executive vice president and chief people officer, responsible for the company’s people agenda. That combination makes Capozzi a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

44. Kristen Mulholland.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Johnson & Johnson.

Kristen Mulholland is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Johnson & Johnson. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. J&J says she leads global talent, recruiting, inclusion, rewards and employee relations, after holding HR roles across MedTech and Innovative Medicine. That combination makes Mulholland a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

45. Payal Sahni Becher.

Chief People Experience Officer and Executive Vice President, Pfizer.

Payal Sahni Becher is the Chief People Experience Officer and Executive Vice President at Pfizer. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Pfizer says she leads People Experience for more than 80,000 colleagues and began her Pfizer journey as an intern. That combination makes Becher a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

46. Mary Moreland.

Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Abbott.

Mary Moreland is the Executive Vice President, Human Resources at Abbott. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Abbott says she leads HR and supports employee development, and also serves as president of the Clara Abbott Foundation. That combination makes Moreland a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

47. Samantha Hammock.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Verizon.

Samantha Hammock is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Verizon. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Verizon says she leads all aspects of HR, including talent, learning and development, engagement and inclusion. That combination makes Hammock a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

48. Darcie Cakaric.

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, AT&T.

Darcie Cakaric is the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at AT&T. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. AT&T’s 2026 annual report identifies her as chief human resources officer after people leadership roles at StackAdapt, Flexport, Snap and Amazon. That combination makes Cakaric a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

49. Jacqueline Williams-Roll.

Chief Human Resources Officer, General Mills.

Jacqueline Williams-Roll is the Chief Human Resources Officer at General Mills. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. General Mills says she joined in 1995 and has held people roles across supply chain, finance, marketing and talent effectiveness. That combination makes Williams-Roll a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

50. Treasure Heinle.

EVP and Chief People Officer, NIKE.

Treasure Heinle is the EVP and Chief People Officer at NIKE. The role puts people, culture and the employee experience close to the organisation’s main work, whether that means serving customers, building technology, delivering healthcare or running a national operation. Nike describes her as responsible for the global HR function and People vision and strategy, after HR leadership at Danaher, Tektronix and InFocus. That combination makes Heinle a useful person to know when you want to understand how a major employer turns its stated values into everyday systems and choices. Read the official biography.

What these leaders show us.

First, people leadership is now closely tied to operating reality. The leaders in this list work across technology, retail, financial services, manufacturing, travel, healthcare and professional services. Their remit is not simply to write policies. It is to help the organisation build the skills, systems and culture it needs to do its work well.

Second, experience matters because the work is connected. Several leaders have moved between talent, operations, customer experience, rewards and business-unit HR. That path gives them a wider view of the moments that shape whether people can do their best work, from joining the organisation to learning a new skill or leading through change.

Third, scale changes the question. A people decision that feels small at headquarters can affect tens or hundreds of thousands of people in a distributed workforce. That makes clarity, good judgement and strong systems especially important.

How to use this list.

Use it as a starting map, not as a final directory. If you are researching a company, begin with the official biography linked to its entry. If you are comparing people functions, look for the scope of the role, the connection to the operating model and the evidence of how the leader has worked through change. If you are building your own leadership bench, pay attention to the variety of paths into these roles.

Frequently asked questions.

What does a chief people officer do?

A chief people officer usually leads the organisation’s people strategy. Depending on the employer, that may include talent, learning, rewards, inclusion, employee relations, workplace experience, people technology and organisational development.

Is a chief human resources officer the same as a chief people officer?

Often, the roles are close equivalents. The title varies by organisation, but the scope is best understood by reading the public job description and biography rather than relying on the title alone.

Are these people ranked?

No. The entries are in alphabetical order by surname. The order is only for easier reading.

How current is this list?

The research was checked in August 2026 against official employer pages and announcements. Leadership roles can change, so each person’s official source should be rechecked before publication or outreach.

Conclusion.

People and culture leaders have one of the clearest views of how an organisation really works. They see the connection between strategy, structure, capability and the everyday employee experience. The 50 leaders here offer a useful cross-section of that work across major US employers.

For more practical ideas on leadership, culture and team development, explore Working Genius resources, leadership consulting and team offsite support.

If your organisation is working through a people, leadership or culture challenge, Consult Clarity helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. The focus is practical rather than motivational, with ideas people can use on Monday morning.

About the author.

Jonno White is the founder of Consult Clarity, a leadership consultant, keynote speaker and author. He helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at.