Linda Layne

Build an HR function from the ground up through developing trusted relationships with employees and value-added partnerships with vendors and service providers, in service to the community. Oversee talent, benefits, learning, and development. Report to the CEO.

Educate, advise, and lead graduate and undergraduate students in the topics of Leadership Theory, Management Skills, Business Ethics, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management. Ranked in the top 5% of faculty evaluations for teaching excellence and student engagement. Consistently ranked 4.5/5 on “Rate My Professor” by student assessment reporting. Lead critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making through Business Case Analysis. Develop and evolve curriculum to correlate and apply workplace theory to practical, real-life situations.

Lead and facilitate undergraduate students' learning. Provide advice and counsel to students and create an inclusive, open, and safe class environment. Impact and develop the class syllabus.

Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders across retail, corporate, and creative divisions, aligning people strategy with Chanel’s brand values and business priorities. Drive talent management, organizational design, and workforce planning initiatives that foster a culture of inclusion, agility, and excellence. Partner with leaders to enhance performance management, leadership development, and succession planning for critical roles. Support change management, employee engagement, and career development programs across multiple client groups. Collaborate with global and regional HR Centers of Excellence (COEs) to ensure consistency in compensation, benefits, DEI, and employee relations best practices. Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to influence key business and people decisions.

• Built and led the HR function to enhance retail talent strategy and performance management. • Developed an organization-wide compensation market study, achieving gender salary equity. • Spearheaded corporate sustainability initiatives for human capital management. • Directed executive search processes for the executive committee, ensuring top-tier talent acquisition.

Led the largest global talent strategy in Richemont Group history for retail and corporate groups at Cartier North America. Developed and implemented the first-ever executive leadership program and led executive compensation strategies, achieving profitability and organizational growth targets. Annually prepared the North America Talent Strategy for the Richemont Board of Directors.

Led the successful outsourcing of internal IT and supported corporate HR operations and strategic workforce planning.

Directed HR for the North American retail network of 100+ stores and 1500 employees. Built a best-in-class North America retail HR business partner model and led large-scale retail expansion across the U.S. for $1B revenue organization.

Partnered with leadership to develop global talent programs and competency models for international game of basketball expansion initiatives in China and Europe. HR Business Partner for Finance, IT, Events & Attractions, Security, and Administration.

Developed and led, from the ground up the undergraduate Global Operations Analyst Program. Responsible for all aspects of campus recruitment from selection to hiring. Was the HRBP for equity operations.

pending inaugural cohort 2026