Top 50 global women HR leaders to watch this decade

"Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front." This quote by Nelson Mandela beautifully echoes the essence of what makes HR such a unique and pivotal function in any organization.

It's about people, and at the heart of it, it's about leadership that cares, understands, and inspires. This International Women's Day, we're focusing on 50 women who are not just part of the change in HR—but setting new benchmarks. Their stories are a testament to the impact that comes from leading with intention and compassion, rather than merely seeking a title.

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Top 50 global women HR leaders to watch this decade

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J.T. O'Donell

J.T. O’Donell, founder and CEO of Work It DAILY, is a leading figure in HR, recruiting, and career coaching. With over 15 years of experience and a dynamic social media presence, she has significantly contributed to career development strategies. Her approach focuses on empowering individuals across different sectors with tailored career planning and professional growth strategies.

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Meghan M. Biro

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Meghan M. Biro, a globally renowned talent management and HR tech thought leader, is the founder and CEO of TalentCulture. Meghan collaborates with companies ranging from startups to industry giants like Microsoft and Google, empowering them to attract top-tier talent. With a podcasting background and a robust presence in various media outlets like Forbes and SHRM, she's been recognized as a Top 50 Most Valuable Social Media Influencer and a Top 25 HR Trendsetter, among other accolades.

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Sanyin Siang

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Sanyin Siang is the Executive Director of the Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics (COLE) at Duke University and a board member of the Congressional award, the United States Congress' award for young Americans As an esteemed leadership advisor and author, Siang's work has earned her recognition as a thought leader, including being featured on Forbes' lists. Her contributions to leadership and ethics continue to influence leaders globally.

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Liz Ryan

Liz Ryan, the founder of Human Workplace, is a visionary redefining the intersection of work and human dignity. A former Fortune 500 HR SVP, her innovative approach has garnered widespread acclaim, positioning her as a leading voice in modern HR practices and workplace culture.

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Hannah Morgan

Hannah Morgan, the founder of Career Sherpa, is a career strategist and job search mentor with 8+ years of experience in HR. She specializes in personal branding, social media use in job search, and effective career search strategies. Her expertise in personal branding and job search strategies has positioned her as a trusted guide for individuals navigating the complexities of career transitions.

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Jean Marie DiGiovanna

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Jean Marie DiGiovanna, a renowned author and leadership expert, currently serves as the CEO of Workshop University. With extensive experience in coaching and organizational development, she empowers individuals and teams to reach their full potential. Her insights on leadership have been widely published, enriching the professional landscape.

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Kathleen Hogan

Kathleen Hogan is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Microsoft, where she drives the company's cultural transformation and builds a work environment that enables Microsoft's employees to achieve their mission. Hogan's influence extends beyond Microsoft, as she is recognized for her contributions to human resources practices in lists like Forbes' "The World's Most Powerful Women" and as one of HR Executive’s "Most Influential HR Leaders”.

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Amy Edmondson

Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, stands as the #1 influential thinker in Human Resources. Renowned for her research on teamwork, leadership, and organizational learning. Recognized by the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, Edmondson's work on psychological safety has significantly influenced modern management practices, earning her widespread acclaim and awards in the field of leadership thought.

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Ellyn Shook

Ellyn Shook is Accenture's Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer, steering the company's talent and organization strategies. Recognized for visionary leadership, she's instrumental in fostering diversity, earning a place on Fortune's "Most Powerful Women" list. Beyond Accenture, she extends her influence, serving on the Board of Directors for Baldwin Risk Partners, showcasing commitment to innovative HR practices.

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Deepika Saini

Deepika Saini is an HR Executive at Workholics and an esteemed HR influencer and content creator. With an MBA from Acropolis Faculty of Management & Research, she's celebrated as a Top HR Voice, contributing valuable insights and innovations in the HR field. 

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Tejaswee Tripathy

Tejaswee Tripathy, the CHRO at Finocontrol, is an accomplished HR and Corporate leader with a passion for continuous growth. With a background in Human Resources Analyst roles within the financial sector, she excels in communication, strategic HR management, leadership, and marketing. Tejaswee is also skilled in B2B sales, mentoring, and LinkedIn optimization.

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Bonnie Dilber

Bonnie Dilber, recruiting leader at Zapier and a LinkedIn top voice, has transitioned from her role as an educator to become a champion for job seekers driving inclusivity and equity in the workplace. Her remarkable journey has been featured in esteemed publications such as Huffington Post, Fortune, Business Insider, Forbes and Time, along with numerous podcasts and speaking engagements.

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Shikha Gupta

Shikha Gupta, a pioneering HR leader, currently serves as Senior Director - TA at Birlasoft. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and one of the Top 100 HR influencers, she shapes the talent landscape. Shikha is also the President of WICCI KA HR Council, exemplifying her commitment to leadership in human resources.

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Ester Martinez 

Ester Martinez has sculpted an illustrious career in HR, transitioning from significant roles at global giants like Hewlett-Packard and Tata Consultancy Services to becoming a beacon of innovation in HR media. As the CEO & Editor-in-Chief of People Matters, she redefines HR technology and talent management, propelling business growth. Her work has not only earned her a spot on the LinkedIn Top Voices list but also titles as a 2023 Remote Work Thought Leader and a top Influential Woman Leader in HR Tech. Her journey is a testament to her impactful vision and leadership in the HR sector.
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Priyanka Singh

Priyanka Singh is a seasoned HR Business Partner at FreeBeez bringing over five years of dedicated experience in the core HR field. Her career, highlighted on LinkedIn, showcases a robust background in strategic HR management and organizational development, underpinning her commitment to enhancing workplace efficiency and culture. Priyanka's expertise and innovative approach to HR make her a vital asset to her clients and the broader HR community.

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Gunjan Mishra

Gunjan Mishra is recognized as one of the top 50 CHROs. She has garnered multiple awards for her exemplary leadership, strategic planning and innovative HR practices. With a wealth of experience in human resources spanning through prominent organizations like HCL, TSYS, Artech, Polaris Software and McKinsey, she is renowned for her transformative leadership and groundbreaking strategies. Gunjan fosters a culture of collaboration and high performance driving continuous improvement in talent management, employee engagement and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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Gauri Das

Gauri Das shines as the SVP at India Factoring & Finance Solutions Pvt Ltd and captures audiences as a TedX speaker. With 16+ years in HR, she's celebrated as an Economic Times Young HR Leader and named in the HR 100 under 40. As the National President for the Future of Work and an author, Gauri is truly paving the way in the HR field with her insights and leadership.

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Debolina Dutta

Debolina Dutta, an ICF ACC certified executive coach and top recruiting voice, serves as a professor of practice in OB & HRM at IIM Bangalore. With over three decades of HR experience in domestic and international markets, she is also a board member of IIM, Indore and SSISM. Committed to individual growth, her expertise spans across HR analytics, technology, leadership, consulting, L&D and talent management.

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Gulneet Chadha

Gulneet Chadha stands out as a leading figure in mental health advocacy, celebrated for her roles as a mental health author and a dynamic keynote speaker. As the founder of GC Consulting and a Senior Advisor to the board at Lead Ventures, Gulneet combines her passion for mental health advocacy with strategic insights to drive meaningful change. Her work not only inspires but also empowers individuals and organizations to prioritize mental well-being in the workplace.

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Anuradha Razdan

Anuradha Razdan, executive director HR & CHRO at Hindustan Unilever & Unilever South Asia, is recognized as a BT Most Powerful Woman and HR Director of the Year 2022. As Co-chair of FICCI HR & Skills Committee and a Distinguished Alumni of XLRI, she spearheads inclusive business initiatives and transformational leadership. An international HR leader, Anuradha sparks magic in fostering collaboration between people, passion and opportunity for the benefit of business and society.

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Zeta Yarwood

Zeta Yarwood is a Certified Executive Coach and LinkedIn Top Voice with a rich background that spans over 15 years, making her a sought-after figure in the transformative coaching industry. Crowned the Best Career Coach of 2021 by GoCoach Awards and a VIP Contributing Author at Thrive Global, she combines passion with expertise to guide individuals towards personal and professional fulfillment. 

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Maha AlQattan

Maha AlQattan, group chief sustainability officer at DP World, uniquely blends her HR expertise with sustainability goals. As a board member of DP World UAE and Hindustan Ports Pvt Ltd, she focuses on fighting climate change and fostering social equity, emphasizing the role of human resources in achieving these aims. With her profound expertise in HR and industrial relations, she inspires and empowers employees globally to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world.

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Lara Yeku

Lara Yeku, who leads HR at Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, combines worldwide best practices with a deep understanding of different industries. She’s not just a Certified Executive Coach but also an author, bringing rich insights and fresh ideas to her role. Lara’s approach to HR isn’t just about policies; it’s about people, making her a standout leader dedicated to creating a positive work environment.

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Soha Chahine

Soha Chahine, top HR leader in the Middle East, is an accomplished multi-award-winning coach and corporate trainer. Her forte lies in fostering growth, emotional intelligence and resilience. She is well-known for pioneering soft skills development and enhancing leadership practices globally. As a board member and speaker, her expertise in psychometric assessment helps her navigate organizations through change, leveraging emotional intelligence and resilience as the foundation for success.

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 Adeshola Aliogo

Adeshola Aliogo, a seasoned HR Consultant at Thrive HR Nigeria and the Head of People & Culture at Qore, stands out as a top talent in the industry. Recognized in the 2022 PowerWomanNetwork Top 100, she brings extensive experience from FMCG, Management Consulting, Banking, and Logistics sectors. With a knack for innovating HR strategies, she fosters culture and collaboration, driving value for both employees and leadership. Adeshola excels in HR operations, talent acquisition, learning and development, and employee engagement.

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Rita Babalola

Rita Babalola, lead consultant & founder at Beacon Gate Ltd., is a distinguished HR professional and talent acquisition specialist with over a decade of experience. As executive director at Star Synergy Petroleum Services, she offers expert guidance in resume writing, career coaching and job interview preparation, empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their goals. With a passion for making a difference, Rita is committed to fostering success in the world of work through her comprehensive skill set and unwavering dedication.
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Erika So

Erika So is the AVP - Talent Acquisition head at Citi and honored among the 8 Most Influential Filipino Women on LinkedIn in 2023. With over 12 years of recruitment expertise, she adeptly guides individuals towards fulfilling career opportunities. Erika passionately advocates for women's empowerment, career transitions, and cultivating a harmonious work-life balance. Connect with her to embark on transformative initiatives in these areas.

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Thelma Ibeh

Thelma Ibeh, Nigeria's Top 40 HRs, global HR professional and certified management consultant, is celebrated for her expertise in HR outsourcing, recruitment and training. Championing digital literacy and advocating for SMEs, she offers HR solutions to companies small and large. Driven by her belief in the power of circumstances, Thelma is dedicated to volunteering for NGOs and assisting IDPs, that goes beyond her professional endeavors.

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Aileen Sinay

Aileen Sinay, distinguished as Co-founder & Managing Director of Margherita Lotti Inc., stands as a luminary in Human Resource Management. With over 30 years of rich experience, Aileen's illustrious career has seen her hold pivotal roles in both local and multinational companies across the Philippines and the broader Asia Pacific region. Her depth of expertise and dedication to excellence have positioned her among the Top 11 Filipinos and Top 3 Most Influential Women on LinkedIn in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

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Yewande Jinadu

Yewande Jinadu, an ICF Certified Career Coach, is one of the top 20 people disruptive leaders in Nigeria and one of the top 50 career influencers in Africa. She is the founder of CareerLife Nigeria and heads a top tech startup as a seasoned HR leader. She empowers youth through her social initiative, CareerLife foundation. With over 8 years of experience, she shapes organizational culture for productivity and leads impactful programs like the employability fitness program to help individuals excel in their careers. 

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Pauline Kiraithe

Pauline Kiraithe, the founder and CEO of TalentGurus 254, is celebrated as a multi-global award winner, notably receiving the 2022/2023 Global Career Consultancy of the Year award. With 28 years of work experience across multiple sectors, she is recognized as an HR thought leader. Her commitment to career consultancy and leadership coaching has empowered individuals and organizations worldwide, establishing her as a key figure in global human resources and career development. 

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Connie Barrientos

Connie Barrientos, a Top HR Operations Voice, is recognized as an award-winning industry influencer. Bringing 19 years of expertise as the recruitment and human resources head at Aleph Talent Solutions Corporation, she boasts of SHRM-CP certification and excels in talent acquisition, performance management, and process enhancement. Driving organizational excellence, she is celebrated for her transformative initiatives and innovative impact in human resources. 

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Leena Nair

Leena Nair is a British-Indian executive renowned as Chanel's Global CEO and Unilever's former Chief Human Resource Officer. Recognized for her advocacy for human-centered workplaces and compassionate leadership, she has made significant strides in human capital management, impacting Unilever's operations across 190 countries.

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Dorcas Nderitu

Dorcas Nderitu, a leading voice in HR operations and training, is the founder of Women in HR Kenya, to coach and empower women to excel as leaders, breaking barriers and building bridges for career growth and success. She is transforming East Africa's HR landscape by empowering women leaders and championing workplace diversity. 

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Gavriella Schuster

Gavriella Schuster is recognized as a pivotal figure in the technology sector, with over 30 years of leadership experience in digital and cloud transformation. As a former C-Level executive at Microsoft, she has significantly contributed to the industry by fostering thousands of businesses towards digital transformation. Schuster is also a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, dedicating efforts towards empowering women and their allies in the tech industry. Her accolades include delivering a TEDx talk on gender equity and receiving the ATHENA International Global Leadership award.

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Angela M.

Angela M. is the co-founder of Women in HR Kenya, empowering women as leaders and has been recognized as one of the 11 inspiring women HR leaders in Kenya by Peoplehum in 2022. A seasoned people and culture specialist with over a decade of HR experience, she specializes in team building and fostering high-performance cultures. She is a certified #IamRemarkable Facilitator (ID A428843) who is dedicated to impacting lives through training and development.

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Hillary Collins

Hillary Collins, a seasoned HR leader, serves as People Leader, CHRO, and HR Director at PHX Ireland with over 20 years of experience in HR leadership. Experienced in diverse environments including unionized and multinational settings, she excels in strategic HR management, employee engagement, and driving cultural change across multiple locations.

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Monica Watt

Monica Watt, founder of Incredible Buzz, boasts of 30 years of expertise in people-focused industries. With a no-nonsense approach, Monica is currently the CHRO/CPO at ASX, where she champions Agile HR practices. Beyond her corporate role, Monica wears many hats—as a coach, consultant, public speaker and writer—dedicated to unleashing the untapped potential within individuals and organizations. Her passion lies in empowering others to buzz with confidence, driving meaningful change with her dynamic leadership style and unwavering commitment to excellence.

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Erika Takahashi

Erika Takahashi is recognized as one of Asia's top 10 HR leaders. Featured on the 2022 HRD HR Hot List, as a seasoned HR professional herself, she brings over 20 years of global experience across various industries including technology, services, retail and energy. As head of People & Culture, CPO and CHRO Erika specializes in various disciplines such as leadership development, organizational effectiveness, talent management and change management, driving high performance cultures and executing transformational strategies worldwide.

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Tanuj Kapilashrami

Tanuj Kapilashrami serves as a non-executive director on the board of Sainsbury’s PLC and is actively involved in other notable organizations such as the UK Financial Services Skills Commission and Asia House Board of Trustees. With extensive experience at HSBC, she brings a wealth of expertise in HR disciplines from various global locations. Tanuj also is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Standard Chartered Bank, spearheading initiatives to enhance the workplace experience for over 100,000 colleagues across 50+ markets. 

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Hannah Awonuga

Hannah Awonuga was LinkedIn top voice for gender equality in 2023, receiving the We Are City rising star award and being recognized among the top 25 most influential HR practitioners by HR magazine. A globally recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) expert, she serves as the group head of DEI at Knight Frank. With a track record of driving cultural change and fostering inclusive environments, she leads the global DEI strategy spearheading initiatives to create equitable workplaces.  

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Rachael Botsman

Rachael Botsman is named one of the world's most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 and HR most influential by HR Magazine. With three TED talks and two acclaimed books translated into 14 languages, including "What’s Mine is Yours," she has revolutionized understanding of trust in the digital age. A regular contributor to prestigious publications and host of the podcast Rethink Moments, she is sought after as a speaker for global events and has worked with prominent organizations like Salesforce, Goldman Sachs, and Adobe.

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Isha Prabhakar

Isha Prabhakar, with a decade of recruiting expertise, currently spearheads the University Recruiting Strategy for Asia at Jane Street, focusing on engaging and hiring top Early Career talent across Asian universities. Known for her dynamic and curious nature, Isha thrives in vibrant workspaces and has a keen interest in public speaking and continuous learning.

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Dr. Melanie Peacock

Melanie Peacock, a top contributing voice on LinkedIn, is a published author, media commentator and board member, who delivers valuable HR processes through her extensive work. With expertise in various industries and being a dynamic HR consultant, educator and speaker she is renowned for her pragmatic solutions and inspiring presentations. 

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Nabeela Elsayed

Nabeela Elsayed, named among Marshall Goldsmith’s top 100 executive coaches and WXN 100 most powerful women, is a globally recognized COO and CHRO. With extensive experience at retail giants like Walmart, IKEA, and Starbucks, she excels in launching industry-leading initiatives in parental leave benefits and diversity networks, driving positive change and organizational capability across cultures and geographies.

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Wendy Murphy

Wendy Murphy, EMEA Director of Global Clients at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, brings over two decades of HR and sales leadership experience driving talent transformation. She shares her expertise at HR Leaders CHRO events, advocating for LinkedIn's role in navigating economic challenges like COVID. Leading a dynamic team, Wendy leverages LinkedIn's resources to provide tailored talent solutions, guiding CPOs, CHROs and CLOs to optimize initiatives and foster growth. 

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Sandra Kumalasari Dinata

Sandra Kumalasari Dinata, is a group head of human capital at Blibli. With a background in human resources and a passion for continuous learning, Sandra is committed to nurturing and developing talent at Blibli. Through her leadership, she has transformed their human capital function, focusing on recruitment strategy and cultivating a robust life at Blibli that prioritizes trust, clarity, and impactful progress.

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Payal Kulkarni

Payal Kulkarni, HR director at JW Marriott Auckland, is a strategic HR partner dedicated to achieving excellence in hospitality. With expertise in aligning human capital with business objectives, Payal plays a pivotal role in shaping the workforce strategy at JW Marriott Auckland to drive organizational success.

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Khim Tan

Khim Tan, known among the Top 40 Most Influential HR Leaders in Malaysia and the Top 100 Most Influential HR Leaders in Southeast Asia, Khim is acclaimed for her strategic leadership and transformative impact in talent management and organizational effectiveness. She is a distinguished HR leader with nearly 30 years of experience across diverse sectors in 14 countries. Holding certifications from ICF, Gallup CliftonStrengths, and DiSC, Khim continues to advocate for the future of work and mentor future leaders.

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Goldie Shwe Yee Win Lei

Goldie Shwe Yee Win Lei, an accomplished HR and OD practitioner, a SPHRi™ certified and career counselor, serves as the chief people officer at Coca-Cola Pinya Beverages Myanmar. With a wealth of experience, she has also held the position of head of human resources at PTTEP International. Goldie is known for her expertise in management consulting, public speaking and strategy execution.

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