Year in review: Some of the biggest HR moves in 2025

Drumroll, please! The biggest HR move of the year goes to…Kristin Cabot, who stepped down from her role as the CPO of Astronomer after the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert broadcast her relationship with CEO Andy Byron to Gillette Stadium—and the world.

While most other HR moves didn’t make quite as big of a splash this year, there are still a number of runners up worth mentioning.

By the numbers. But first, some context. There were 59 CHRO appointments at S&P 500 companies from Q1 to Q3 2025, according to a report from executive search firm Russell Reynolds. That’s the highest number of appointments recorded since 2020.

A lot of those CHROs were first-timers: 61%, up from 53% last year.

The tech industry saw the most CHRO turnover, with 26% of such S&P 500 companies reporting a changing of the guard.

In the tech world. HP kicked off the year by tapping Carol Surface as its new CPO. Surface, who previously led the people function at Apple, succeeded Kristen Ludgate, who retired in 2024.

Christy Pambianchi stepped down as CPO at Intel to take on the role of CHRO at construction manufacturer Caterpillar in April, the Oregonian reported. Pambianchi, who spent nearly four years at the chipmaker, previously served as an HR leader at Verizon, Corning, and PepsiCo.

Just five months after being named OpenAI’s CPO, Julia Villagra exited in August, Reuters reported. She’s continued to serve as an advisor to the company, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Nokia named Kristen Pressner as its new CPO in November. When she starts in May, she’ll bring with her three decades of experience, most recently as the global head of people & culture at Roche Diagnostics.

In other industries. Kristin Oliver joined Hyatt Hotels as CHRO in May, succeeding Malaika Myers, who retired after a seven-year tenure. Oliver previously led the people function at Hanesbrands, Walgreen’s, Chico’s, and Walmart.

Spirit Airlines’ CHRO, Linde Grindle, left the company in November after leading the function for over three years. Her departure was announced alongside news that the airline would be reducing its workforce by 150 roles in an attempt to bounce back from bankruptcy, Bloomberg reported.