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.
The recognition of these HR professionals matters because it underscores the critical role human resources leadership plays in organizational performance. In an era of rapid workplace transformation, effective HR strategies directly impact employee engagement, talent retention, and business outcomes. The awards highlight individuals who are successfully navigating these challenges and setting standards for the industry.
Among the Top CHROs of the Year are Amy Cappellanti-Wolf of Dayforce, Angella Alexander of ATS Corporation, Ariane Hermansen of Servier, Carina Cortez of Cornerstone OnDemand, and Dr. Kylie Ensrud of Humanized HR. The Top Women CHRO Leaders include Billie Wright of The Recycling Partnership, Carla Gatza of Action Property Management, and Kristin Scott of Health Alliance. The Top Women Founders in HR feature Aminata Coulibaly of Aminata Digital Shop, Amy Spurling of Compt, and Sue Marks of Cielo Talent.
"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!"
The implications of these awards extend beyond individual recognition. They signal emerging trends in HR leadership, including the growing influence of women in executive HR roles and the increasing importance of HR technology and innovation. For organizations, these award winners represent benchmarks for effective HR practices that can enhance competitiveness and adaptability in changing markets.
Readers can view all HR.com Awards at https://www.hr.com/awards. The recognition comes from HR.com, which describes itself as the largest network of HR professionals, with over 2 million HR professionals relying on the platform for career development, networking, and compliance resources.
The awards highlight how strategic HR leadership has evolved from administrative function to business-critical role. As workplaces continue to transform through technological advancement, remote work models, and changing employee expectations, the professionals recognized in these awards demonstrate the skills and approaches needed to guide organizations through these transitions successfully.
