Recognizing HR professionals for outsized contributions to their organizations and communities

Every crisis has its heroes.
STRATEGIC HR
MENTORSHIP
COMPASSION IN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
VOLUNTEERISM
“HR has been the rock that is getting
employees through this crisis”
— Darren Kimball, CEO GetFive
Recognizing HR professionals for outsized contributions to their organizations and communities

Every crisis has its heroes.
STRATEGIC HR
MENTORSHIP
COMPASSION IN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
VOLUNTEERISM
“HR has been the rock that is getting
employees through this crisis”
— Darren Kimball, CEO GetFive
Nominate A Colleague For HR Hero of the Year
Help us give the unsung heroes of the HR community the recognition they deserve!
The HR Hero Award recognizes HR professionals for their invaluable contribution to their business and the community at large. For each nomination, GetFive contributes $50 to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization working across America to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals to children and families to pick up, as well as delivery to seniors who cannot venture outside. In addition, all nominators will be entered into a drawing to win one of a few Apple Airpods.
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERISM
COMPASSION IN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
OUTSTANDING MENTORSHIP
AWARDS DETAILS
- HR Heroes will be announced in early 2021
- HR Heroes will be featured in social media and on our website
The 2021 HR Hero Award Recipients
The HR Hero Award celebrates HR professionals who have made outsized contributions to their organizations and the community at large.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the growth and success of this program! To learn more about the HR Hero Awards, please contact us at [email protected].
Elevating The Strategic Role Of HR

Mark Rankin
CHRO
BeyondTrust
Elevating The Strategic Role Of HR

Naveen Bhateja
EVP, CPO
Medidata Solutions
Outstanding Volunteerism

Monique Jefferson
CHRO
New York Public Radio
Compassion in Employee Relations

Teresa VirgenTorres
HR Director
Golden State Warriors
Past HR Hero Award Recipients
2020
Laura Butler, SVP, People & Culture, Workfront
Tabitha Britt, VP, HR, AdColony
Janet Riesel, President, Board of Directors, NYC SHRM
Su Murthy, VP, HR & Talent Acquisition, Egnyte
2019
Maryanne Spatola, Former SVP, CHRO, Solix
Selma Oliveira, Chief People and Culture Officer, Fogo de Chao
Jennifer Cook, GVP, Global HR Operations, JDA Software
David Epstein, Director of Domestic Human Resources, Doctors without Borders
2018
Rose Rogers, VP & CHRO, Ducommun
Jacqueline Coca, HR Latin America, Bunge
Greg Giangrande, EVP, CHRO & CCO, Time Inc.
Bala Sathyanarayanan, EVP, Business Transformation and HR, Xerox
2017
Allison Friend, CHRO, Hogan Lovells, LLP
Tom Wilson, Head of Talent Acquisition, Oppenheimerfunds
Suzanne Pennasilico, CHRO, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Glenn Album, SVP, HR, Pinnacle Foods
2016
Aleyda Meyers, Director, All-Agency Veteran Recruitment, MTA
Bryan Olson, CHRO, K&L Gates LLP
Dana Aldis, Sr. Director, Training, Comm. & Culture, LivingSocial
Joanne Rencher, CPO, GSUSA
2015
Eric Lange, Associate Executive Director, 92Y
Fred Strobel, Director Of Talent Mobility, Morgan Stanley
Minerva Garcia, VP HR, Accordant Media
Suzanne Jakstavich, SVP HR, Avalon Bay
2013
MJ O’Leary, SVP, John Wiley & Sons
2012
Geralyn Cappelli, EVP, Rabo Bank International
2011
Maritza Diaz, Executive Director, Financial Services
2010
Jeff Cohen, VP Labor Relations, Mt. Sinai Medical
2009
Patricia Bradley, Global Head HR, Novartis Pharmaceuticals
2008
Lindsey Cotter, Director HR, Scholastic Inc.
Robert Defendorf, Director HR, Scholastic Inc.
2007
Ron Thomas, VP Org. Development, Martha Stewart Living
2006
Andrea Weinzimer, VP HR, Hachette Book Group