All Recooty Articles, Trending TopicsCelebrating International Women’s Day 2025 | Top Powerful Women Leaders in HR
All Recooty Articles, Trending Topics 
Top Women in HR
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, let us acknowledge and appreciate the amazing women making a difference in human resources. HR is a crucial function that influences organizations’ culture, performance, and well-being. Women have brought valuable skills, insights, and perspectives to this field, but they also face some unique challenges and opportunities that affect their career growth and satisfaction.
According to the Women in the Workplace 2023 report by McKinsey and LeanIn.Org, women represent 56% of the HR workforce in corporate America and Canada, but only 38% of the HR leadership roles. Moreover, women of color are even more underrepresented, accounting for only 12% of the HR workforce and 6% of the HR leadership roles. These numbers indicate a persistent gap between women’s potential and their representation in HR.
However, these numbers also show the immense opportunity for women to advance and excel in HR. There are many inspiring examples of women who have overcome the barriers and biases they face in HR and become successful leaders, innovators, and mentors.
Sam Magadán
The founder of Kandidaat, the #1 Career Coaching firm in New Mexico, had over. Sam is a People & Culture Sr. Manager with 14+ years of experience in People Management and has worked both as an in-house partner and as an HR consultant. As an HR Manager in London Communications Agency, she navigates the nuances and depth of organizational culture, ensuring a favorable environment for success. She has been awarded as LinkedIn Top Voice for her contributions to Future of Work and Employee & Candidate Experience
Follow Sam Magadán on LinkedIn
Leena Nair
Leena Nair currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Chanel, one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands. The first woman and youngest ever CHRO of Unilever, leads the global people strategy for 160,000+ employees in more than 100 countries. She is also the founder of the Career by Choice initiative, which helps women who have dropped off the career ladder, owing to various obstacles.
Follow Leena Nair on LinkedIn
Claude Silver
The first CHO of Vayner Media, is a coach, manager, and mentor who believes in emotional optimism. She manages a company size of 1500+, whilst being “in touch with the heartbeat of every single person in the company.
Follow Claude Silver on LinkedIn
Brigitte Skeene
Brigitte Skeene, having a career spanning over two decades in the field of Human Resources, has championed sustainability and ecological balance. Her tireless efforts have led to the preservation of critical habitats and the protection of endangered species. As the Co-founder and President at Talent IQ, Brigitte has worked in talent acquisition for over 25+ years. Her career has taken her across local and international landscapes, including roles in large corporations and human capital consulting firms such as Korn Ferry and Apple. Brigitte’s expertise lies in building strategic recruitment functions and enhancing talent retention.
Follow Brigitte Skeene on LinkedIn
Dr. Diane Hamilton
The founder of Tonerra, an author, a national radio host, a keynote speaker, and a former MBA Program Chair member at the Forbes School of Business. She is the creator of the Curiosity Code Index® and the Perception Power Index, which measure the factors that influence curiosity and perception.
Follow Dr. Diane Hamilton on LinkedIn
Anna Ott
The VP people at HV Capital, one of the leading Venture Capital firms in Europe. She is a Talent Advisor to +70 startups with more than two decades of experience in HR. She has also been an advisor to several HR technology companies across Europe.
Follow Anna Ott on LinkedIn
Melissa Grabiner
Melissa Grabiner, with a career spanning over two decades in the field of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition, Melissa is currently working as the Job Search & Personal Brand Coach, Expert & Advisor at topmate.io. Her expertise and thought leadership have garnered her a substantial following on LinkedIn, where she is ranked #2 Female LinkedIn Creator Worldwide and #1 HR LinkedIn Creator in the USA. Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is also a Yoga instructor.
Follow Melissa Grabiner on LinkedIn
Gauri Das
Gauri Das is a global TEDx speaker and mentor with 16+ years of experience in aligning HR strategy with business goals. She was the Lead Membership of the Professional Speakers Association of India, Mumbai chapter (PSAI).
Follow Gauri Das on LinkedIn
Ester Martinez
Ester Martinez is the founder and CEO of People Matters, India’s leading knowledge and media technology platform in the HR space. She is an HR professional turned entrepreneur, an alumnus of ISB in Hyderabad, and a master transformational coach. Ester is passionate about advancing talent and work practices for sustainable business impact.
Follow Ester Martinez on LinkedIn
Kate Graham
Kate Graham, a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience, is committed to advancing HR technology and best practices. As the host of Learning Now TV, she interviews industry innovators and co-founded the #womeninlearning movement to promote diversity in the field. Her expertise spans research, analytics, content creation, and stakeholder engagement.
Follow Kate Graham on LinkedIn
Rachel Cupples
The @recruitingSHEro who is making waves in the world of recruitment. Rachel, based on her Twitter profile, is a passionate advocate for gender equality and empowerment. She has been an active member since January 2023, and her platform, recruitingshero.com, is a testament to her commitment. As a Sourcing Recruiter in Amazon, Rachel brings a fresh perspective to the industry, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Follow Rachel Cupples on LinkedIn
Sarah White
Sarah White leads the global Innovation and Transformation department at SAP SuccessFactors. She is a global influencer in HR technology, talent acquisition, and human resources, and a frequent speaker and writer on these topics. Sarah is also a master connector who brings together diverse perspectives and experiences to shape the future of work.
Follow Sarah White on LinkedIn
Alexandra Cavoulacos
Alexandra Cavoulacos is a dynamic web3 entrepreneur and author, known for her innovative work in the tech industry. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at BackerKit, a crowdfunding startup, she is committed to redefining crowdfunding for the creator economy. Previously, she was the COO of The Muse, a career platform used by millions. Alexandra is also the co-founder of Meta Angels, a pioneering membership community in NFT lending technology, and Angel Labs, a web3 accelerator for creators. She co-authored the bestselling book, The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career.
Follow Alexandra Cavoulacos on LinkedIn
Amy Schultz
Amy Schultz is the Global Head of Recruiting at Canva, one of the world’s largest privately-owned companies. With experience living in China, Singapore, and San Francisco, she has worked in both start-ups and established multinational firms across the tech, pharmaceutical, and service sectors. Amy has successfully built and led geographically diverse teams at the executive level, utilizing her expertise in human resources, program management, and recruiting. Her leadership has been instrumental in Canva’s ascent as one of the fastest-growing tech companies globally.
Follow Amy Schultz on LinkedIn
Bonnie Dilber
Bonnie Dilber, the Recruiting Manager at Zapier, is at the forefront of revolutionizing remote work. With 9 years of experience, she has seamlessly transitioned from teaching to talent acquisition, leaving an indelible mark across tech, education, and non-profit sectors. At Zapier, a leading remote-first company, Bonnie spearheads recruitment for all non-technical roles. Her passion for workplace equity resonates with her 440,000+ LinkedIn followers, where she shares invaluable insights. As one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices, Bonnie’s expertise guides job seekers in writing standout resumes, networking effectively, and navigating the ever-evolving job market.
Follow Bonnie Dilber on LinkedIn
Jackye Clayton
Jackye Clayton is the founder of PeoplePuzzles, where she designs custom AI and data-driven talent systems to optimize hiring and retention. A diversity advocate and recruitment expert, Jackye co-hosts the Inclusive AF Podcast and has been recognized as a top recruitment thought leader by iMocha. Additionally, she was named one of the 15 Women to Watch in Tech by Inc. With extensive experience in talent strategy and high-performance systems, she helps organizations and professionals move from chaos to clarity in their hiring and career growth.
Follow Jackye Clayton on LinkedIn
Meghan M. Biro
Meghan M. Biro is an HR tech analyst, author, speaker, and brand strategist. She is the founder and CEO of TalentCulture, a leading media outlet and community for HR and talent professionals. She is also the host of the #WorkTrends live podcast and Twitter Chat, where she explores the future of work and workplace culture.
Follow Meghan M. Biro on LinkedIn
Mary Ann Markowitz
Mary Ann Markowitz is the founder of MAM Recruiting in Dallas, Texas, with a focus on the HR and finance sectors since 2003. She partners with clients across the U.S. to attract top talent for finance and accounting departments. Mary Ann uses innovative strategies, like video emails, to connect with a diverse range of candidates. Her commitment to building relationships ensures that both employers and candidates find the right match for mutual success.
Follow Mary Ann Markowitz on LinkedI
Anna Tolmachova
Anna Tolmachova is the HR Director at METRO Cash & Carry Ukraine, a leading international wholesale company. She manages over 3500+ employees and is a talent management expert, rated among the top 20 HRs in Ukraine. She believes in setting global HR standards while educating and engaging youth in the HR domain.
Follow Anna Tolmachova on LinkedIn
Jess Miller-Merrell
Jess Miller-Merrell is a dedicated HR professional with over 20 years of experience. In 2009, she founded Workology, a comprehensive resource platform for HR and recruiting professionals, and hosts the Workology Podcast, focusing on current workplace issues. Recognized by Forbes as a top social media influencer, Jess is passionate about uplifting HR professionals through upskilling and personal development. She has been featured in major publications like HR Magazine, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur.
Follow Jess Miller-Merrell on LinkedIn
So, to the women considering HR as their career path, envision yourself as professionals and as architects of workplace harmony. Join a community where your ideas matter, your compassion is a strength, and your leadership can create a positive impact.
Happy Women’s Day to the phenomenal women in HR, and to those yet to embark on this empowering journey. May your path be filled with inspiration, support, and boundless opportunities. Here’s to the Women in HR, shaping the future with grace, strength, and a touch of brilliance.
Jump To Section
