Announcing Ragan’s Top Women in HR, Class of 2026
Meet the visionary leaders shaping workplace culture, driving change and elevating the people who power today’s organizations.
Ragan is proud to announce the Top Women in HR, Class of 2026 — a distinguished group of leaders who are boldly advancing the human resources profession and shaping the future of work. These remarkable women have demonstrated exceptional leadership across HR strategy, culture, employee wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion, talent development, and organizational performance. Their influence is felt not only within their own organizations but across the broader HR community as they innovate, mentor and champion meaningful progress.
From redefining workplace culture to driving strategic change that elevates employee experience, the Class of 2026 represents the highest standards of excellence in HR. They are visionaries and catalysts whose work ensures that people — and the organizations they support — thrive in today’s dynamic environment. Through strategic insight, tireless dedication and a passion for elevating others, these women embody the values and future-forward leadership that Ragan’s Top Women in HR Awards seeks to honor.
We invite you to celebrate their achievements and learn more about the honorees who are setting the bar for HR leadership. Each honoree’s story reflects the profound impact that effective HR leadership can have on organizational success, innovation and employee satisfaction. These leaders are not just responding to change — they are shaping it.
The Class of 2026 will be recognized in person at an awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in New York City. This special event brings together HR professionals and allies from across industries for an afternoon of celebration, networking and recognition.
Read on to meet this year’s class. Honoree story profiles will be available after the awards luncheon.
Bridge Builders
Kim Chapman, SHRM-SCP, HRPM
VP, People — Human Resources
Myriad Genetics
Marjorie Josaphat
Executive Director, Human Resources
Milken Institute
Josefina Leon
SVP, Human Resources
Universal Studio Group
Bridget O’Brien
SVP, Learning and Organization Development
Jefferson
Chief People Officers
Deb Butters
SVP & Chief People Officer
Orbia
Lauren Dunn
Chief People Officer
Wiss
Katie Fernandez
Chief People Officer
BODYARMOR Sports Nutrition
Sarah Garber
Chief People Officer
Saks Global
Annette Green
Chief People Officer
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Kelly Jones
SVP, Chief People Officer
Cisco
Bridgette Moore
Chief People Officer
Link Logistics
Yolanda Seals-Coffield
Chief People and Inclusion Officer
PwC
Leah Weyandt
Chief People Officer
Bounteous
Melissa Yates May
Chief People Officer
Cambium Learning Group
CHROs of the Year
Jackie Fuld
CHRO
Tishman Speyer
Amy Klimek
CHRO
Wolverine Worldwide
Lisa Larroque Alexander
CHRO
Sempra
Kaleen Love
Chief People & Culture Officer, U.S.
Philip Morris International U.S.
Stephanie Manzelli
CHRO
Employ
Lynn Merritt
EVP and Chief People Experience Officer
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Amy Nelson
CHRO
Cloudera
Lenka Patten
SVP and CHRO
Ameresco
Malavika Sagar
CHRO
TE Connectivity
Christian Sherwood
CHRO
University of Utah Health
Directors of the Year
Yvette Hernandez
Sr Dir People Bus Ptr Ops
Costa Farms
Nicole Oliver
Director of Human Resources
The N2 Company
Dawn Rogers
Director, HR Business Partner
Ahold Delhaize USA
Dynamic Do-ers
Sarah Battaglia
VP, Human Resources
Egnyte
Vanessa Esparza
Partner, People and Administration
Gladstone Place Partners
Zoe Kasper
VP, Employee Experience
Lincoln Financial
Employee Engagement Leaders
Veronica Blankenship
Chief People and Communications Officer
Talking Rain Beverage Company
Alexis Dalton
VP of People Operations
Amivero
Marissa Farrar
Chief People Officer
Turnitin
Financial Wellness, Rewards & Benefits Leaders
Chelsea Fitzpatrick
Group Vice President, People & Culture
Parts Town Unlimited
Gina Florio
Director, People & Culture
AMC Networks
HR Communicators of the Year
Julie Kniseley
President
James Moore HR Solutions
Lara Otten
HR Communication Specialist III
Arkansas Children’s
Ellie Saeta
VP of People Ops
Coforma
Learning & Development Leaders
Hannah Coit
AVP, Learning & Development
AT&T
Brooke Johnson
Chief Legal Officer and SVP for HR and Security
Ivanti
Susan LaMonica
CHRO
Citizens Bank
Lara Peavler
Senior L&D Manager
InStride
Nicole Petersen
Director of People Development
Renown Health
Strategists
Tion Askew
Workforce Planning and Analytics Manager
Ahold Delhaize USA
Priscila Feijó Mattingly
Chief People Officer
Compassus
Nava Kazaz
Chief People Officer
Stratasys
Kathy Weir
VP, Human Resources
LG Ad Solutions
Talent Acquisition & Retention Leaders
Heather Berti
SVP of People Services
Arlo Hotels
Maria Gonzalez
EVP and Head of Human Resources
Amerant Bank
Paula Landmann
Chief Talent & Development Officer
Novartis
Carol Musto-Schiano
AVP, Talent Management
NYU Langone Health
Wellbeing Leaders
Lorna Borenstein
Founder & CEO
Grokker
Amy Jo Donohew
CHRO, SVP
Designer Brands
Kirstie Gentile
CHRO
symplr
Robyn Jordan
Chief People Officer
DriveTime Family of Brands
Kristin Kulas
Senior HR Business Partner
R&R Partners
Workplace Culture Leaders
Amy Alexy
Chief People Officer
Signature Aviation
Megan Bazan
VP, People and Communities
Cisco Systems
Robin Gilbert
VP of People & Culture
Britebound
Valencia Hill
Associate EmPact Manager
Ahold Delhaize USA
Mai Lan Nguyen
SVP, Human Resources, North America Operations
Schneider Electric
Hannah Perry
Chief Culture & People Experience Officer
Novartis
Kerry Robert
SVP, People
Entrada Therapeutics
Mary Wenlock
Director Human Resources, HRBP — Branded Services
Amp | Advantage Marketing Partners
Reigin Zawadzki
Chief People Officer
Caribou Biosciences
Rising Stars
Shea Donovan
Director, People & Culture Business Partners
Reformation
Darian Graivshark
Business Partner Manager
Hubley
Olivia Hanks
Talent Acquisition Partner
AMC Networks
