These awards celebrate executives, women leaders, and founders who have proven their ability to lead with strength, inspire teams, and make a lasting impact in their organizations and across the industry.
The 2026 Top CHROs, Top Women CHRO Leaders, and Top Women Founders in HR Awards were announced during HR.com’s CHRO Virtual Event on February 25, honoring executives who consistently drive organizational success.
These honorees exemplify exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and outstanding contributions that inspire teams and drive results across dynamic, evolving workplaces.
Top CHROs of the Year
Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, Dayforce
Angella Alexander, ATS Corporation
Ariane Hermansen, Servier
Carina Cortez, Cornerstone OnDemand
Christen Scofield, Panorama Insurance Associates
Christina Payne, Precise Systems, Inc.
Dr. Kylie Ensrud, Humanized HR
Dr. Waajida Small, Trinity Church NYC
Jeff Simpson, Association of Alberta Municipalities
Jemar Ward, Public Health Solutions
Jody Lirette, HELP USA
Kashan Akram, Cnergyico Pk Limited
Katkoor Srinivas Rao, SAS India
Ms. Dolloress Johnson, MPA, pHCLE, Arlington ISD
Nancy Masoud, Orange Public School District
Olena Fedorchenko, Codify
Raquel Hoffstot, Circular Services Inc
Ren Jethi, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, Akhurst Machinery Ltd.
Smruti Kasulwar, Salaam Bombay Foundation
Top Women CHRO Leaders
Angella Alexander, ATS Corporation
Billie Wright, The Recycling Partnership
Carla Gatza, Action Property Management
Christen Scofield, Panorama Insurance Associates
Donna Smith, The Jewish Board
Dr. Kylie Ensrud, Humanized HR
Felicia Rickett-Samuels, Bronxworks
Gigi Garcia, Commonpoint
Jennifer Butler, Pavement Preservation Group
Kartheka R, Madras
Kellie Teal Guess, Rackspace Technologies
Kristin Scott, Health Alliance
Marisol Cortez, Berry Corporation
Nahla Abualula, SADAFCO
Nancy Masoud, Orange Public School District
Oriana Vogel, ZS
Ren Jethi, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, Akhurst Machinery Ltd.
Rupali Srivastav, CareEdge
Tracey Schiro, Ochsner Health
Waajida Small, Trinity Church NYC
Top Women Founders In HR
Aminata Coulibaly, Aminata Digital Shop
Amy Spurling, Compt
Ange MacCabe, Intuity Performance
Candice Faktor, Disco
Christine Nichlos, People Science/Hiregate
Ciela de La Torre, Makwa Global, LLC
Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, Bentzen Performance Partners
Darlene Nue, The Money Collective
Deb Muller, HR Acuity
Dr. Cornelia Shipley Bearyman, 3C Consulting
French Self, AmeriSource HR Consulting Group, LLC
Jean Roque, Trüpp
JoDee Curtis, Purple Ink LLC
Kara Yarnot, Meritage Talent Solutions
Katherin Nukk-Freeman, SHIFT HR Compliance Training
Kimberly Miles, The Payroll Company
Maury Hanigan, SparcStart
Melissa Pearce, The Money Collective
Rachel Schneider, Canary
Ren Jethi, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, Akhurst Machinery Ltd.
Ruth Thomas, Payscale
Sarah Hamilton-Gill, Globus HR Consulting Ltd.
Sarah Wilkins, Reverb
Shana Ryan, Conceptual HR Solutions
Sneh Lata, RChilli Inc.
Sue Marks, Cielo Talent
Tiffany Sequeira, Prestige Development Group
View All HR.com Awards: www.hr.com/awards
“Exceptional HR leaders shape the future of their organizations through vision, strategy, and execution,” said HR.com CEO Debbie McGrath. “These executives and founders in HR are driving innovation, inspiring teams, and delivering measurable results. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions!”
