Chereese Johnson is a dynamic and results-driven global human resources leader with over 20 years of experience shaping and driving workforce strategies, talent management, and organizational development across multiple industries and global markets. With an exceptional track record at Chevron, Hewitt Associates, and Northern Trust, she has been instrumental in talent acquisition, leadership development, learning & development, total rewards, and business partner services, making a significant impact on companies seeking to maximize their human capital for business success.

Currently serving as diversity & inclusion strategy lead – Americas region at Chevron, Chereese leads efforts focused on redesigning and implementing enterprise-wide inclusion programs that strengthen leadership capabilities and align with business objectives. She provides strategic advisement and execution support to 31 business units across five countries, ensuring that inclusion initiatives are fully integrated into corporate strategies. Her expertise in developing long-term strategic partnerships has resulted in a 25% increase in employee engagement, reflecting her ability to drive culture transformation and workforce optimization.

Her HR leadership journey at Chevron spans across upstream and downstream operations, global IT, and corporate HR, where she has consistently been a trusted advisor to C-suite executives. Previously, as advisor to the chief learning & talent officer, she drove the launch an scale of a new L&T organization, which expanded talent management services to over 27 countries, impacting a workforce of ~40,000. As IT talent management director, she led large-scale workforce reskilling initiatives, impacting 4,000+ employees globally. She also played a pivotal role in refining Chevron’s recruitment strategies, improving hiring processes, and implementing predictive analytics to manage workforce attrition.

Beyond corporate HR leadership, Chereese has extensive experience in international workforce development. While living and working in Luanda, Angola, she implemented Chevron’s first-ever large-scale succession planning initiative, impacting 650 critical positions, and deployed a recruitment technology system that transformed talent acquisition for a 2,000-member workforce. Her ability to lead complex, high-impact initiatives across diverse geographies has made her a sought-after expert in global workforce strategy.

Chereese is also an active board member and community leader, currently serving on the board of directors for Avondale House and The Ensemble Theatre. She has also held leadership roles within the National Black MBA Association – Houston Chapter, contributing her expertise in HR strategy and talent development to nonprofit organizations. Her deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community impact aligns with her passion for empowering people and organizations to thrive.

In addition to her corporate and nonprofit governance experience, Chereese has spoken publicly on strategic talent management, workplace inclusion and generational workforce trends. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and holds certifications in strategic workforce planning, SHRM-SCP, CIPD Level 5, and ATD instructional design. Her academic credentials include an MBA in Strategy, Marketing, and Social Enterprise from the Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science and finance from the University of Illinois @ Urbana/Champaign.

Fluent in Portuguese and English, Chereese has worked across North America, South America, and Angola, gaining valuable insights into cross-cultural workforce strategies. She thrives on collaboration, problem-solving, and fostering inclusive workplaces, making her an invaluable asset to organizations seeking a strategic HR leader.

As she expands her board and advisory roles, Chereese is looking to leverage her deep expertise in human capital strategy, talent development, and leadership transformation to help businesses, nonprofits, and corporate boards navigate workforce challenges, drive engagement, and enhance leadership effectiveness. She believes that people are the foundation of organizational success, and through her strategic vision and leadership, she empowers companies to unlock their full potential.

Character: Chereese Johnson is a highly collaborative and inclusive leader who is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and workforce empowerment.

Knowledge: With over 20 years of expertise in human resources, talent management, and organizational development, she has successfully led global workforce strategies across multiple industries and regions.

Strategic: She has a proven track record of driving large-scale workforce transformation, implementing predictive analytics for talent planning, and aligning HR strategies with business objectives.

Communication: As a skilled communicator and advisor to C-suite executives, she effectively translates complex HR initiatives into actionable strategies that enhance leadership and employee engagement.