September 2026 witnessed a significant wave of executive appointments in human resources, underscoring a pervasive organizational commitment to strengthening human capital strategies, fostering robust workplace cultures, and navigating the complexities of modern talent management. From the expansive healthcare sector to the dynamic world of luxury retail and the burgeoning mental health technology space, companies are elevating seasoned professionals to Chief People Officer (CPO) and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) roles, signaling that people-centric initiatives are now firmly at the forefront of corporate agendas. These strategic hires reflect a broader recognition that an engaged, well-supported, and high-performing workforce is indispensable for achieving sustained growth and organizational resilience in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Kaiser Permanente Bolsters Leadership with Shaun Smith as EVP and Chief People Officer
In a move set to profoundly influence its vast workforce, healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente announced on September 9 that Shaun Smith would assume the role of Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, with his tenure commencing on October 12. Smith arrives at Kaiser Permanente with an impressive pedigree, having previously served as Group Senior Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer at NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the nation’s most comprehensive university hospital systems. His appointment is particularly pertinent given the ongoing challenges faced by the healthcare sector, including widespread workforce burnout, persistent staffing shortages, and the critical need to cultivate a supportive and resilient organizational culture.
At Kaiser Permanente, Smith is tasked with spearheading the organization’s overarching HR strategy and operations. A key focus of his mandate will be to lead a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening the company’s culture—a crucial endeavor for a healthcare provider employing hundreds of thousands across numerous facilities. Industry analysts note that in large, complex organizations like Kaiser Permanente, cultural cohesion is not merely a soft skill but a strategic imperative that directly impacts patient care, employee retention, and operational efficiency. Smith’s extensive background in a high-pressure healthcare environment positions him well to tackle these intricate demands. His experience in integrating diverse workforces and fostering environments of collaboration and innovation will be vital as Kaiser Permanente continues to adapt to evolving healthcare landscapes and technological advancements. The emphasis on culture under Smith’s leadership is expected to drive improvements in employee engagement, reduce turnover rates, and ultimately enhance the quality of service delivery for the millions of members Kaiser Permanente serves.
Lyra Health Appoints Leslie Riggs as Chief People Officer Amidst Mental Health Boom
The burgeoning mental healthcare benefits sector also saw significant leadership changes, with Lyra Health announcing on September 2 the appointment of Leslie Riggs as its new Chief People Officer, effective September 14. Lyra Health, a prominent provider of mental healthcare solutions for employees, operates in an industry experiencing exponential growth and increased demand, particularly in the wake of global events that have highlighted the critical importance of mental well-being.
Jennifer Schulz, CEO of Lyra Health, lauded Riggs’s suitability for the role, emphasizing her "experience scaling global HR operations, her deep understanding of the connection between organizational performance and workforce wellbeing, and her commitment to our mission." Riggs’s previous role leading global HR at Sketchers provides her with valuable expertise in managing a large, diverse, and geographically dispersed workforce, which will be essential as Lyra Health continues its rapid expansion. The company’s mission-driven nature requires an HR leader who can not only attract top talent but also ensure that the internal culture genuinely reflects its external commitment to well-being. Riggs is expected to leverage her experience to build scalable HR frameworks that support Lyra Health’s growth trajectory while embedding a strong focus on employee experience and mental wellness within the organization itself. Her appointment underscores the strategic importance of human resources in companies operating at the intersection of technology and healthcare, where attracting specialized talent and maintaining a supportive culture are paramount to achieving market leadership and fulfilling societal impact.
Halff Elevates Leigh Hollis to Chief People Officer, Emphasizing Internal Talent Development
In the infrastructure consulting sector, Halff, a leading firm in engineering and related services, announced on September 2 the promotion of Leigh Hollis to Chief People Officer. Hollis’s ascent within the company signals a commitment to nurturing internal talent and leveraging deep institutional knowledge for strategic leadership. Having joined Halff’s Fort Worth, Texas, office in 2005, Hollis brings nearly two decades of dedicated service and a profound understanding of the firm’s operations and culture. Most recently, she held the position of Senior Vice President and an operational leader for Halff’s Dallas, Frisco, and Richardson offices, showcasing her proven leadership capabilities and hands-on experience in managing key regional operations.
In her new capacity as CPO, Hollis will oversee the entire HR function, with a particular focus on bolstering Halff’s continued commitment to project delivery excellence and quality assurance. This dual focus on people strategy and operational quality highlights the integrated nature of human capital management within the consulting industry, where the expertise and performance of employees directly correlate with client satisfaction and business success. Her long tenure and progression through various leadership roles within Halff provide her with unique insights into the talent development needs and cultural drivers of the organization. This internal promotion reinforces Halff’s strategy of cultivating leaders who deeply understand the firm’s values and operational intricacies, ensuring that HR initiatives are closely aligned with core business objectives and strategic growth plans in a sector facing high demand for specialized engineering and consulting talent.
Ascensus Welcomes Edward Greene as Chief Human Resources Officer
Financial services company Ascensus, a leader in retirement, education, and health savings plans, announced the appointment of Edward Greene as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective September 14. Greene joins Ascensus’s executive leadership team, where he will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s human capital strategy, talent development programs, organizational effectiveness initiatives, and cultural evolution. His extensive background spans several prominent organizations, including roles as an advisor to the CEO and CHRO at Iron Mountain, and previous positions at Surfside Capital Advisors, Voya Financial, and Fidelity Investments. This diverse experience across various financial and corporate environments equips Greene with a broad perspective on talent management in complex, regulated industries.
The financial services sector is currently undergoing rapid transformation driven by digitalization, evolving regulatory landscapes, and intense competition for skilled talent in areas like fintech and data analytics. Greene’s appointment is thus critical for Ascensus as it seeks to attract, retain, and develop a workforce capable of navigating these changes. His mandate will include enhancing talent acquisition strategies, fostering a high-performance culture, and ensuring that Ascensus remains an employer of choice in a competitive market. The emphasis on organizational effectiveness and culture initiatives under Greene’s leadership is a clear indication that Ascensus views its human capital as a primary differentiator and a strategic asset for future growth and innovation within the financial services industry.
Pride Industries Appoints Kim Mayes as Senior VP and Chief People Officer
Pride Industries, a unique non-profit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities, announced on September 16 the appointment of Kim Mayes as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer. Mayes brings a wealth of experience from the technology sector, having most recently served as Vice President of HR at Intel Corp. Her transition to Pride Industries underscores the growing recognition of the strategic importance of human resources in non-profit organizations, particularly those with a strong social mission.
Craig Levra, CEO of Pride Industries, highlighted Mayes’s "deep commitment to building engaged workplaces" as a key factor in her appointment. In her new role, Mayes will focus on driving organizational growth, enhancing employee engagement, and optimizing overall performance. Pride Industries operates with a dual objective: providing meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities and delivering high-quality services to its business partners. This requires an HR strategy that is both inclusive and performance-driven. Mayes’s background in a large, global corporation like Intel, known for its rigorous talent management and diversity initiatives, positions her well to scale Pride Industries’ impact while upholding its core values. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the organization’s ability to attract diverse talent, foster an even more inclusive work environment, and enhance the capabilities of its workforce, thereby amplifying its social mission and business success.
Exemplar Luxury Group Welcomes Gretchen Koback Pursel as Chief People Officer
The luxury retail sector also saw a significant leadership change, with Exemplar Luxury Group—a collective encompassing iconic brands such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman—announcing the appointment of Gretchen Koback Pursel as Chief People Officer, effective the previous Monday. Koback Pursel brings a distinguished background specifically tailored to the luxury, beauty, and wellness industries, having previously held CPO roles at prestigious companies including Tiffany & Co., The Wella Co., and most recently, Equinox.
Her appointment signals Exemplar Luxury Group’s strategic intent to cultivate a high-performance culture that resonates with the elevated standards of its brands. In her role, Koback Pursel will be responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive people strategy designed to "foster a culture of performance," as stated by Exemplar. The luxury retail landscape is constantly evolving, influenced by shifting consumer preferences, the rise of e-commerce, and the critical importance of an exceptional customer experience. Attracting and retaining top-tier talent, from front-line sales associates to corporate executives, is paramount for luxury brands to maintain their exclusivity and market position. Koback Pursel’s extensive experience in organizations where brand reputation and customer interaction are intrinsically linked to employee performance makes her an ideal fit for guiding Exemplar Luxury Group’s human capital initiatives through these dynamic times. Her focus will likely encompass talent acquisition, bespoke training and development programs, and cultivating an employee experience that mirrors the luxury experience offered to customers, ensuring that the workforce is both engaged and equipped to deliver unparalleled service.
The Strategic Evolution of the Chief People Officer Role
These appointments collectively underscore a profound shift in the perception and function of the Chief People Officer (CPO) or Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) role. Historically viewed as administrative and compliance-focused, HR leadership has unequivocally transitioned into a strategic imperative, with CPOs now holding a critical seat at the executive table. This evolution has been accelerated by several factors: the global pandemic’s impact on work models, the intensifying war for talent, the increasing focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a business mandate, and the growing recognition of employee well-being as a cornerstone of productivity and retention.
Today’s CPO is expected to be a visionary leader who can not only manage talent acquisition and development but also shape organizational culture, drive engagement, and align human capital strategies with overarching business objectives. Data consistently shows a strong correlation between robust HR practices and positive business outcomes. For instance, a 2023 Deloitte Human Capital Trends report highlighted that organizations with mature HR functions are significantly more likely to report higher innovation and market performance. Furthermore, research by Gartner indicates that highly engaged employees are 2.6 times more likely to perform at their highest potential, making the CPO’s role in fostering engagement paramount.
Industry-Specific HR Challenges and Opportunities
The diversity of the companies making these appointments—from healthcare and financial services to luxury retail and social enterprise—reflects the universal yet uniquely tailored challenges each sector faces regarding human capital.
In healthcare, leaders like Shaun Smith at Kaiser Permanente are grappling with a workforce under immense pressure. The American Medical Association reported in 2022 that nearly 63% of physicians experienced burnout, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 275,000 additional nurses by 2030. CPOs in this sector are vital for implementing mental health support, flexible scheduling, and career development programs to combat burnout and enhance retention.
For technology-driven healthcare solutions like Lyra Health, the challenge is rapid scaling while maintaining a specialized, mission-driven culture. Leslie Riggs’s experience in global operations will be crucial in building HR infrastructure that supports growth without compromising the company’s core values or its commitment to employee well-being.
Infrastructure consulting firms like Halff, with Leigh Hollis’s promotion, face intense demand for highly skilled engineers and project managers. The CPO’s role here is often centered on internal talent development, succession planning, and creating career pathways to retain specialized expertise in a competitive market.
In financial services, Ascensus’s appointment of Edward Greene highlights the need for HR to lead transformation. The sector is battling for digital talent and adapting to new work models, making talent acquisition, upskilling for new technologies, and fostering an agile culture critical for sustained competitiveness.
Non-profit organizations such as Pride Industries, under Kim Mayes’s leadership, uniquely blend social mission with business operations. HR leaders must balance inclusive employment practices with performance management, often requiring innovative approaches to training, support, and integration for diverse workforces.
Finally, luxury retail through Exemplar Luxury Group’s Gretchen Koback Pursel demonstrates that even in high-end sectors, human connection remains paramount. The CPO’s challenge is to cultivate a workforce that embodies the brand’s values, delivers exceptional customer experiences, and adapts to evolving consumer behaviors, including the integration of digital and physical retail touchpoints. This requires sophisticated talent management, service excellence training, and a culture that mirrors the brand’s aspirational qualities.
Conclusion: A New Era of People-First Leadership
The flurry of CPO and CHRO appointments in September 2026 across such a varied organizational landscape signals a clear and unequivocal message: human capital is no longer a support function but a central pillar of corporate strategy. These seasoned leaders are stepping into roles that demand not just administrative oversight, but strategic foresight, cultural acumen, and an unwavering commitment to employee well-being and development. Their mandates extend beyond traditional HR, encompassing organizational effectiveness, talent innovation, and the cultivation of resilient, high-performing cultures. As businesses continue to navigate unprecedented change, the strategic leadership provided by these Chief People Officers will be instrumental in attracting and retaining the talent necessary for sustainable growth, driving innovation, and ultimately, securing long-term success in an increasingly people-centric economy. The collective impact of these appointments will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of their respective organizations and set new benchmarks for human resource excellence across industries.
