CHRO Reflections: Path to the C-Suite

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In this interview series, we speak with chief human resources officers from leading companies about their career paths, the traits of successful leadership and their experiences leading through the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. From generalists who advanced through the function over the years to business leaders whose experience as managers piqued their interest in leading the HR function, there is no single path to the position. But the CHROs we have spoken to share many common traits: in particular, a passion for the people side of business, and a belief that strategic HR management can have an impact on an organization’s bottom line.

Kathleen Hogan, Chief People Officer, Microsoft

A wide breadth of experience outside of the function gave Kathleen Hogan unique insights into just how much HR can serve as strategic partner in running the business.

Melissa Kremer, CHRO of Target

Melissa Kremer, CHRO of Target, discusses her path to HR leadership and the leadership lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kamy Scarlett, CHRO, Best Buy

Kamy Scarlett's path to CHRO includes a variety of retail, operations, HR and marketing roles. “It's changing from a career ladder to a career lattice,” she says.

Kiersten Robinson, CHRO of Ford Motor Company

Kiersten Robinson sees the future of the HR function as becoming both more data-centered and more human-centered.

Bill Strahan, CHRO at Comcast

Bill Strahan, CHRO at Comcast, discusses his career path and his opinions on the successful CHRO of the future.

Mark James, former CHRO at Honeywell

Mark James, retired CHRO at Honeywell, credits his multifaceted background as the key to success. He shares the elements of success for future CHROs.

Dan Spaulding, Chief People Officer at Zillow

Zillow Chief People Officer Dan Spaulding talks about the future of the HR leadership: “HR is never not going to be at every single table in corporate America ever again.”

Julie Duffy, CHRO of Textron

Julie Duffy sat down with Spencer Stuart to discuss how her career in Textron’s legal function paved the path to becoming its CHRO in 2017.

Carol Surface, CHRO of Medtronic

In an interview with Spencer Stuart, Medtronic CHRO Carol Surface discusses how earlier career experience prepared her for the disruption of 2020

Charles Bendotti, Senior Vice President People & Culture, Philip Morris International

Charles Bendotti’s first HR job was when he became head of the function at PMI’s Americas unit. But his passion for the people side of the business developed much earlier.

Anne Drapeau, CHRO of Toast

Anne Drapeau, CHRO of restaurant platform Toast, talks about changing roles, the shifting importance of leadership during the pandemic, and her advice for future CHROs.

Gabriela McManus, HR Lead at Drizly

As HR lead at Drizly, she helped the founders define the company’s DNA and purpose through its acquisition by Uber.

Karen Anderson, CHRO of Mimecast

Karen Anderson believes her courageous, truth-telling attributes have been key to her success as an HR leader.