Susan J. Schmitt Winchester is the past Chief HR officer for Applied Materials, a Fortune 150 Silicon Valley semiconductor company, and Rockwell Automation. She is an author and sought after 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 with Martha I. Finney.
Susan teaches strategies, concepts and methods based on her book, extensive research on emotional health, and 36+ years of corporate HR experience, with 16 years as CHRO for two public companies, to deliver high impact transformative solutions. She guides executives, managers and employees on how to leverage the workplace as a laboratory for emotional healing to accelerate human potential and organizational performance. Additionally, she partners with companies seeking innovative leadership, culture, and performance strategies.
Susan has held executive leadership roles, in the U.S. and globally, focusing on meeting today’s global business challenges through creative organizational and people strategies. Her initiatives aim to engage and retain employees, foster a dynamic, inclusive corporate culture, and drive exceptional company performance. Susan’s passion lies in teaching and inspiring executives, leaders, and professionals (especially those who grew up in dysfunctional childhoods) to discover greater self-acceptance, fulfillment, and joy at work and in life. Her approach on emotional well-being at work is a breakthrough.
Furthermore, Susan holds esteemed positions within the HR community. She 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 and previously served as a Board member for the HR Policy Association for many years. Currently, she sits on the Executive Committee of the Peer Roundtable for CHROs. Additionally, she serves as the Chair of the Leadership Advisory Board to the Dean of Engineering at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering. Additionally, she is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management Executive Network.