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CHRO Xcelerator Fellowship Program Career Cast

Candid Conversations with Today’s Top HR Leaders

To kick off the CHRO Xcelerator Fellowship Program, Spencer Stuart’s Steve Patscot and Nicolas Albizzatti interviewed its participants to hear their insights on a range of topics, including their leadership journeys and culture transformation.

The fellowship program is a bespoke 12-month cohort-based performance accelerator for first-time CHROs across industries with less than 24 months of experience in the role. We will update this page regularly with participants’ stories and encourage you to listen in.

Featured Interviews

 

CHROs as Strategic Leaders and What’s Ahead for the Role

Jennifer Manchester, CHRO of Fiserv, and Maria Melendez, CHRO of Mattress Firm, share their perspectives on bringing a strategic mindset to the HR function, adapting to today’s political and economic climate, the unexpected realities they face and technology’s impact on CHROs today and in the future.

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How Culture Unlocks Vision, Talent and Strategy

Former Chief People Officer of Globus Medical, Mike Farrington, discusses the importance of trust and culture, why HR leaders may be as vital as the CEO to their organizations and his favorite interview question.

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The Value of Adding Tools to Your Toolbelt

Kristin Papesh, CHRO of Fortune Brands, talks about how she ties her family values to her work, how her teenage job at an amusement park led her to HR and why aspiring HR leaders should view feedback as a gift for building the skills they need.

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Competitive Roots to Visionary Leadership

Ryan Blackmore, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Edwards Lifesciences, discusses the importance of resilience and transformation, mentorship and championing trust, empathy and deep business within HR's evolving landscape.

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HR at the Forefront of Strategy

Brittany Hankamer, Executive Vice President and CHRO of Avantor, discussed the importance of going outside your comfort zone, why mature companies are leader led and HR enabled and her favorite interview questions.

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