Chief Human Resources Officer Program

Inspire transformational change

Duration:

9 to 12 Months

Program Fee:

Application Fee: US$300

Eligibility:

A minimum of 10 years of work experience

Inspire transformational change as a chief human resources officer

Rapid transformation, workforce disruption, and rising employee expectations across industries have positioned the chief human resources officer (CHRO) as a central force in shaping enterprise strategy, culture, and growth. As workforce expectations evolve, CHROs are embracing advanced tools and strategic frameworks to lead with precision, influence, and sustained impact.

The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Program from Wharton Executive Education empowers senior HR professionals to lead at the intersection of talent, strategy, and enterprise transformation.

Over 9 to 12 months, this multimodular program equips you to:

• Drive organizational and cultural transformation
• Align talent strategy with business goals
• Leverage human and social capital for a competitive advantage
• Lead change effectively
• Advance career development and succession planning

Acquire the strategic frameworks, leadership insights, and global network to serve as a trusted organizational partner and a people-centered leader with lasting influence.

Learning Journey

The CHRO Program equips HR executives to align strategic initiatives with organizational goals, leveraging human capital for a competitive edge. The program 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.

This HR leadership program offers a forward-looking curriculum tailored to reflect the latest industry trends. 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. Past participants of the CHRO 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 offers a unique chance to build a global network of senior leaders, gain fresh perspectives, and form lasting professional relationships to support your leadership journey.

Build a global network of HR leaders

Engage with senior HR professionals worldwide. Share insights, tackle common challenges, and form connections that extend beyond the program.

Live, interactive online sessions

Join scheduled live sessions with your cohort to enhance learning, exchange ideas, and strengthen peer connections.

On-campus networking opportunities

Attend an optional two-day event at the University of Pennsylvania to deepen peer engagement, meet Wharton faculty, and connect with industry leaders.

Pathway to earning Wharton alumni status

Join a legacy of leadership

For over 135 years, Wharton has shaped global business leaders. Completing the CHRO Program and meeting additional criteria begins your journey toward alumni status.

Advance through the General Management Program (GMP)

CHRO Program graduates are eligible to apply for Wharton’s GMP—an advanced, flexible journey that builds strategic leadership skills.

Earn credit toward your alumni pathway

The CHRO Program counts as one of six required credits to complete the GMP.

Unlock alumni privileges

Complete all six credits and meet Wharton’s criteria to apply for alumni status and access the global Wharton alumni network.

Alumni benefits

Gain access to 77+ alumni clubs, global forums, and a Wharton email. To learn more about the GMP and its requirements, visit the Wharton Executive Education homepage.

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, including 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; Co-Director, Wharton People Analytics Initiative; 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

Ellen Gilmore

Anand (Andy) Sivaraman

Lee Evans

Allison Wright

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 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 real-world 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 about the impact of 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