Manage HR Magazine: Awards Ranking
Manage HR proudly presents the Top 10 HR Leaders - 2026, recognizing human resources professionals who advance organizational success through strategic people leadership and effective workforce management. These leaders guide HR initiatives that align employee priorities with business objectives while supporting positive workplace experiences. Their leadership helps organizations strengthen talent retention and respond to evolving workforce expectations, enabling businesses to build engaged teams while fostering organizational resilience and maintaining sustainable performance in changing business environments.
Top 10 HR Leaders - 2026
Brie Elliott
Principal and Head of HR, Ballentine Partners
Empathy and strong business judgment. These are the two fundamentals that define Brie Elliott's approach to HR leadership. As Principal and Head of HR at Ballentine Partners, Elliott works to build an environment where people feel supported and respected, while also being clear about the firm’s expectations.
Robert Rustman
Vice President, Human Resources, LRS
Dr. Robert Rustman heads Human Resources at LRS (Lakeshore Recycling Systems), bringing nearly two decades of HR leadership experience, including prior roles at Comcast and Securitas in HR business partnership and DE&I. He holds a PhD and has focused on aligning people strategy with business growth, throughout his career.
