Boldly Changing the Workplace & World
Tharseō recognizes leaders who not only have the vision, ideas, business acumen, and courage to transform the workplace, but also are creating and strengthening the connection between employees and company purpose.
THARSEŌ / thar-seh’-ō/
To be courageous, confident, and bold.
The SHRM Foundation mobilizes the power of HR to lead positive social change impacting work, workers, and the workplace. Joining us in the quest are the distinguished Tharseō recipients. Each award winner has created a tangible impact on the global workforce through innovation and implementation.
 | Wendi Safstrom President, SHRM Foundation |
2024 Winners
Ram Charan Human Resources Innovation Award
Kathleen Hogan
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Microsoft
CEO of the Year
Horacio Rozanski
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Booz Allen Hamilton
Policy Transformer of the Year
The Honorable Asa Hutchinson
Governor of Arkansas, 2015-2023
The 4th Annual Tharseō Awards
Hosted by the SHRM Foundation, the 2024 Tharseō Awards is a prestigious two-part event on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This event honors workplace innovators and champions of change. During the day, the Tharseō Business Summit will address pressing workplace topics. In the evening, the black-tie Awards gala includes a reception, dinner, and awards program celebrating workplace excellence.
Tharseō Business Summit
Willard InterContinental
Washington, D.C.
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Business Attire
Tharseō Awards
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium
Opening Reception
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
Dinner and Awards Program
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Black-tie Attire
Come together with CEOs, CHROs, politicos, philanthropists, and workplace leaders for unparalleled networking and insights. Join us!
It has never been more critical to create workplaces where every individual has an exceptional experience. Culture—more than finance or technology—is now the key differentiator in business success. This award celebrates leaders who demonstrate the courage to pursue monumental, not incremental, changes that empower employers and employees to thrive together.
 | Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP President & CEO, SHRM |
2024 Tharseō Host Committee
Sandy Climan
CEO, Entertainment Media
Ventures, Inc.
Giselle Fernández
8-time Emmy Winner, Television Journalist, Producer, Anchor
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
Founder and CEO, Pace Communications
Chairman of the Board, American Red Cross
Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland
Michele Kang
Founder and CEO, Cognosante
Owner, Washington Spirit
The Tharseō Awards recognize today’s pioneering business leaders whose strategies consistently put people first. They understand that the way employees experience the workplace is worthy of measurement and quality improvement, just like their products and services. These leaders are winning the future of work.
 | Ram Charan Inaugural Chair |
Join Us at the Tharseō Awards
To attend the Tharseō Awards, become an investor in the SHRM Foundation. Your donation supports the Foundation's initiatives and mission to lead positive social change so that all talent and workplaces can prosper and thrive.
Email Maddie Schaffer, Maddie.Schaffer@shrm.org, to learn more about becoming an investor and securing your spot.