The Highest-Paid Human Resources Executives

Empowering the HR Evolution: The Emergence of Human Resources Executives

June 15, 2023

Joyce Chen

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In the past, the role of human resources (HR) primarily involved handling back-end tasks such as paperwork, compensation packages and benefits. However, the role has recently undergone a significant transformation driven by various factors and emerging trends. More importantly, chief human resources officers (CHRO) and other human resources executives have assumed a pivotal role in leading this transformation and shaping the strategic direction of HR.

The significant impact of technology on human resources stands out as a major catalyst for this transformation. Automation has streamlined processes like payroll and onboarding, and various online tools have helped expedite talent acquisition. This shift has enabled HR professionals to dedicate additional time and effort to strategic initiatives that contribute to the overall success of the organization. HR executives are now at the forefront, guiding HR teams to prioritize talent development and employee engagement and aligning HR strategies with the company's broader business objectives.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a significant shift in work culture, with remote work, flexible schedules and virtual collaboration becoming commonplace for many organizations. In this new environment, HR executives carry the additional responsibility of human capital management, which prioritizes employee well-being and fosters a sense of community and belonging in the organization. HR executives have become critical in developing employee retention strategies, recognizing that a positive and engaging work environment has become more important than ever. By focusing on the well-being of employees, HR teams contribute to enhancing job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates and cultivating a sense of loyalty and commitment among the workforce.

As the role of HR executives grows in prominence with heavier responsibilities over the years, an uptick in total compensation aligns with this shift. This study of the Equilar 500—the 500 largest U.S. companies by revenue—presents new data that showcases the total compensation of the most handsomely paid HR executives in 2022.

Deirdre O’Brien* of Apple starts off the list of the 10 highest-paid HR executives with the top total compensation of $27.2 million. Within this list, the median total compensation for HR executives amounts to $7.1 million. Paul Richardson** of The Walt Disney Company completes the top 10 with a total compensation of $5.5 million.

Company	Ticker	Executive	Title	Total Compensation	Sector
Apple Inc.	AAPL	Deirdre O’Brien*	Senior Vice President, Retail and People	$27,151,798	Technology
Intuit Inc.	INTU	Laura A. Fennell	Executive Vice President and Chief People and Places Officer	$14,041,980	Technology
Visa Inc.	V	Kelly Mahon Tullier	Vice Chair, Chief People and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary	$9,341,805	Financial Services
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.	IFF	Deborah Borg	Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion and Communications Officer	$7,308,858	Basic Materials
Uber Technologies, Inc.	UBER	Nikki Krishnamurthy	Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer	$7,195,656	Technology
Equinix, Inc.	EQIX	Brandi Galvin Morandi	Chief Legal and Human Resources Officer and Corporate Secretary	$6,936,168	Real Estate
Halliburton Company	HAL	Lawrence J. Pope	Executive Vice President, Administration and Chief Human Resources Officer	$6,780,811	Energy
GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.	GEHC	Betty D. Larson	Chief People Officer	$6,008,959	Healthcare
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.	FIS	Lenore Denise Williams	Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer	$5,993,291	Technology
The Walt Disney Company	DIS	Paul J. Richardson**	Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer	$5,505,489	Communication Services

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Notably, this list of the top 10 HR executives highlights the growing representation of women in the HR field. Among the top 10 executive positions in this list, eight are held by women, with women also occupying all of the top six positions. These female executives have been recognized for their demonstrated abilities and achievements, receiving a median total compensation of $7.3 million.

The wide prevalence of women in HR executive roles closely mirrors the overall landscape of the human resources function. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 77.5% of HR managers are women. In contrast, other occupations have only 43.7% of workers who are women, highlighting the disparity and the need for progress in various fields. The high representation of women in top-paid HR executive roles is a positive step towards achieving greater gender diversity in leadership positions.

The data further highlights the dominance of technology over other sectors, as four of the top 10 highest-paid HR executives—including the top two— are from this field. Following Deirdre O'Brien, Laura Fennell of Intuit ranks second, with a total compensation of approximately $14 million. Their compensation reflects the crucial need for strategic human capital management in this field. HR executives play an essential role in attracting, developing and retaining top talent in this highly competitive field. As technology companies continue to experience exponential growth and global expansion, the need for skilled and experienced HR leaders becomes increasingly paramount, resulting in significant compensation.

The role of human resources has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by technological advancements, shifts in work culture and the growing emphasis on employee engagement and retention. As organizations continue to develop, the evolving role of HR executives will remain crucial in shaping the workforce and driving organizational success.

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*Ms. O'Brien transitioned to Senior Vice President, Retail at Apple in March 2023.
**Mr. Richardson left The Walt Disney Company on April 7, 2023.

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