Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program

Inspire transformational change

Duration: 9 to 12 Months
Modality: Online + On Campus
Application Fee: US$300

Redefine Employee Relations and Organizational Culture as a CHRO

In an era of relentless change and complexity, the role of human resources (HR) leaders has transcended traditional boundaries to become a cornerstone of strategic decision making. As businesses navigate dynamic markets and evolving workforce expectations, HR executives are no longer just talent managers — they are architects of cultural and organizational transformation.

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program from Wharton Executive Education is designed for HR professionals like you poised to take the next leap in their careers. This immersive 9- to 12-month journey equips you with the tools, insights, and leadership acumen to redefine your role and drive meaningful change across your organization.

Whether it is spearheading innovative talent strategies, fostering resilient cultures, or aligning workforce priorities with business objectives, this program offers a platform to amplify your influence and shape the future of your organization. Through this program, you can also join a global network of HR leaders committed to making an impact where it matters most — the people who power the business.

Learning Journey

The CHRO Program equips HR leaders to align strategic initiatives with organizational goals, leveraging human capital for a competitive edge.
It covers succession planning, workforce management, talent strategies, and innovative approaches to career development, diversity, and hiring. Executives gain tools to navigate challenges, foster innovation, and drive transformative change.

The CHRO Program offers a forward-looking curriculum tailored to reflect the latest industry trends. Designed for progressive HR leaders, the program features 18 weeks of core modules, followed by three specialized six-week online electives, allowing executives to tailor their learning journey to deepen their expertise.

Core modules (Online and live online | 18 weeks)

Electives (Online | Six weeks each | Choose any three)

Recognition ceremony and networking event (On campus | 2 days)

Capstone project

Certificate

Earn a Wharton Executive Education digital certificate upon successful completion of the program. Alumni of the program get exclusive access to a wide range of professionals, events, and networking opportunities. Furthermore, you can also benefit from additional tuition assistance upon enrolling in further online programs from Wharton Executive Education.

Note: After successful completion of the program, you will receive your verified digital certificate by email in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School.

Please also note that participation in the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status with, or earned credit at the University of Pennsylvania or the Wharton School (or, to Wharton’s knowledge, any other institution), (b) will not be recorded on a University of Pennsylvania or Wharton transcript, and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, or to any other university or institution.

Establish valuable connections with your peers

The CHRO Program presents an exceptional opportunity for executives to build a global network of industry leaders. Through meaningful engagement with peers, you can expand your professional connections, gain diverse perspectives, and establish long-term relationships that support ongoing leadership growth.

Live online interactions

Throughout the program, live online sessions enable real-time engagement with a global cohort, allowing for in-depth discussions that broaden your perspective. These interactive sessions enhance learning and ensure participants remain connected with industry peers worldwide.

Networking

The on-campus event provides a unique platform for networking across cohorts. It offers the opportunity to exchange experiences, build connections, and strengthen relationships with peers, creating a robust network that extends beyond the program.

Pathway to earning Wharton alumni status

For more than 135 years, Wharton has been the place where visionaries, inventors, and trailblazers get their start. After completing the CHRO Program and subsequent open-enrollment programs, subject to further qualification criteria and additional tuition fees, you have a pathway to apply for Wharton alumni status.

Executives who successfully complete the CHRO Program have the option of applying to the General Management Program (GMP). The GMP provides further opportunities to enhance your leadership skills and business acumen with a flexible curriculum. The CHRO Program provides one credit toward the six required to complete the GMP and earn alumni status. For more details on the GMP, visit the Wharton Executive Education homepage.

Upon qualifying for Wharton alumni status, you will be eligible to receive:

Full access to become a member of 77+ Wharton alumni clubs
Invitations to attend future Wharton global alumni forums
A Wharton email address

About Wharton

In 1881, Joseph Wharton, the American industrialist and entrepreneur, founded the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, marking the establishment of the world’s first collegiate business school. A pioneer in its field, Wharton has long been at the forefront of innovation in business education. The School not only introduced the first MBA program in 1921 but also launched groundbreaking initiatives like the nation’s first business school research center and, more recently, cutting-edge programs in alternative investments and neuroscience.

As it continues to evolve, Wharton remains committed to shaping future business leaders, fostering transformative ideas, and setting new benchmarks in global business education. Its legacy is one of consistent adaptation to the changing needs of the business world, with an emphasis on equipping students with the skills to lead in an increasingly complex global economy.

Program faculty

Andrew Carton, PhD

Associate Professor of Management, The Wharton School

Nicolaj Siggelkow, PhD

Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management, The Wharton School

Matthew Bidwell, PhD

Xingmei Zhang and Yongge Dai Professor; Academic Director, CHRO Program; Professor of Management, The Wharton School

John Paul Macduffie, PhD

Professor of Management, The Wharton School

Past Speakers

Suzy Walther

Former Global Head of Talent, Bloomberg LP

Libby Sartain

Former CHRO, Yahoo. and Southwest Airlines

Success coach

Allison Wright

Lee Evans

Anand (Andy) Sivaraman

Ellen Gilmore

Who is the program for?

The CHRO Program is ideal for:

Chief HR officers or chief people officers who offer counsel to senior leadership or the board of directors
Senior HR leaders across talent, people management, compensation, employee engagement, performance, and operations who are steeped in the complexities of the HR functions

Participants are required to have:

A minimum of 10 years of work experience
International exposure (preferred)
Fluency in written and spoken English

Past Participant Profiles

Work Experience

Top Roles

Top Industries

Technology/Telecom
Information Technology
Financial Services
Energy/Utilities
Manufacturing
Health Care/Services
Consumer Products/Retail
Biotechnology/Phramaceuticals

Participant Testimonials

The coursework and cohort sessions with the concepts, new terminology, and case studies were aligned with my work life. Since receiving my certificate, I have now advanced into a new position and implemented significant changes within my organization, all of which speak to the impact of my participation in the CHRO Program.

Aisha Blackwell

Interim Chief People and Operations Officer, Young Community Developers

The CHRO Program's comprehensive curriculum and renowned faculty immediately enhanced my HR leadership skills and gave me the confidence to implement innovative and impactful HR strategies in my organization. Wharton Executive Education’s reputation also bolstered my credibility as an HR leader. I highly recommend this program to HR leaders worldwide.

Sinan Eliguel

Global CHRO & Chief Compliance Officer, Fissler Group

What I really liked about the program is that it has a very tangible and clear curriculum. You can explore things in bite-sized pieces, build on them, and see the whole picture as the weeks unfold. It's definitely the best program that I researched.

Stephanie Pittman

CHRO, Excelitas Technologies Corp

The electives were really what drove me to want to do this program because I wanted to grow into a bigger role but I didn’t know how to do that. The program has clearly shown me where I need to hone my skills. Every day I go to work, this program makes me feel like I'm learning how to perform better at my job.

Lori Almeida

Global Chief Talent Officer, Siegel+Gale

If you want to become the head of HR, the CHRO Program gives you practical insights and the tools to be able to function more effectively. The curriculum is spot on for the work that we do as HR professionals. I highly recommend the CHRO Program.

Todd Connelly

Head of HR, Valley Presbyterian Hospital

The curriculum is a great blend of the business and the HR functional aspects of the CHRO role. Having an expanded network of colleagues that span the globe with whom I can discuss ideas and from whom I can gain insights has been one of the biggest benefits of the program.

Matt Wilson

Vice President, HR, Biolase

The CHRO Program is a great opportunity for HR executives who want to advance to a CHRO role and people like me who may be on the business side but do a lot of HR work. You’ll learn tactical tools, why data is important, and how to harness the best data rather than relying on intuition.

Magdalena Milne

Senior Director, Training Operations and Deployment, KPMG

The CHRO Program provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to expand their knowledge of strategic human resources and leadership. It gave me access to industry leaders and Wharton professors. What stood out to me was their approach to traditional HR topics and examples that change your approach to everyday situations.

Andrew Blair

Vice President, HR, ElectraMeccanica

Professor Matthew Bidwell has a unique and simple method of delivering messages and explaining topics. The richness of the information I’ve gathered is such that I have already begun to implement it in my work.

Rabah Bu Hamdan

Group CHRO, National Aviation Services (NAS)

You are not born with a growth mindset; you need to develop it. The CHRO Program is a great way to train your brain and develop your growth mindset. The elective Future of Work gave me a perspective on how to prioritize short- and long-term challenges to be efficient during a war. It also showed me how to balance a communication agenda, operational activity, people management, and regular business.

Julia Pylypenko

HR Director, Raiffeisen Bank