HR.com, the largest network of HR professionals, announced the 2026 Top CHROs, Top Women CHRO Leaders, and Top Women Founders in HR Awards during its CHRO Virtual Event on February 25. The awards honor executives who consistently drive organizational success through exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and outstanding contributions that inspire teams and deliver results in dynamic workplaces.
The list of Top CHROs of the Year includes 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.), and Smruti Kasulwar (Salaam Bombay Foundation).
Top Women CHRO Leaders recognized include Angella Alexander, Billie Wright (The Recycling Partnership), Carla Gatza (Action Property Management), Christen Scofield, Donna Smith (The Jewish Board), Dr. Kylie Ensrud, 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, Oriana Vogel (ZS), Ren Jethi, Rupali Srivastav (CareEdge), Tracey Schiro (Ochsner Health), and Waajida Small.
Top Women Founders in HR include 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, 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), and Tiffany Sequeira (Prestige Development Group).
“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!”
For a full list of all HR.com awards, visit www.hr.com/awards. HR.com, with over 2 million HR professionals, offers research, education, and networking opportunities. More information is available at www.HR.com.
