Susan J. Schmitt Winchester is the past Chief HR officer for Applied Materials, a Fortune 150 Silicon Valley company, and Rockwell Automation. She is an author, keynote speaker, and HR consultant, known for her book, “Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve”, with co-author Martha I. Finney.
Susan is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, representing the highest professional honor for leaders in HR. Susan is an Emeritus member of the HR Policy Association and sits on the Executive Committee of the Peer Roundtable for CHROs.

Charlene is the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including The Disruption Mindset, Open Leadership, and the critically acclaimed Groundswell. Her latest book, Winning with Generative AI: The 90-Day Blueprint for Success, lays out a master plan for generative AI strategy. 

She is an experienced speaker who has inspired leaders in intimate forums and expansive conference halls. She has delivered keynote addresses at such venues as the World Economic Forum, TED, and South by Southwest.

Charlene is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USAToday, Reuters, and The Associated Press, and she’s shared her expertise on 60 Minutes, The McNeil NewsHour, ABC News, CNN, and CNBC. 

Charlene earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an A.B. degree magna cum laude from Harvard College. In her spare time, she teaches her beloved cat new tricks.