I’m a passionate HR executive with over 30 years of experience leading global Total Rewards, Benefits, and HR strategy across dynamic, complex organizations. Throughout my career—from Halliburton to Pepsi-Cola, AutoNation, and Cardinal Health—I’ve had the privilege of designing programs that improve the lives of employees worldwide. I’m deeply committed to building inclusive, high-impact rewards strategies that align with business goals while supporting the wellbeing of our people.

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, talent management must go beyond traditional HR practices to become a driver of strategic alignment and growth. The Talent Alignment Model™ (TAM) offers a proven, human-centered framework designed to help organizations realign their people, processes, and performance around four core pillars: Culture, Career, Competencies, and Compensation. By addressing gaps in these key areas, TAM empowers leaders to uncover root causes of misalignment and implement practical, data-driven solutions that elevate employee engagement, reduce turnover, and build resilient, future-ready teams.

Debra Zuniga is a transformational HR executive known for driving organizational success through strategic talent development, change leadership, and inclusive people strategies. With a career spanning Fortune 500 companies and high-growth environments, she has consistently delivered measurable results by aligning human capital initiatives with business goals, fostering leadership pipelines, and enhancing engagement across global teams. Her expertise in building Centers of Excellence, streamlining operations, and championing DEI efforts has positioned her as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and a catalyst for sustainable cultural and operational change.

Chereese Johnson is a seasoned global human resources leader with over 22 years of experience driving workforce strategy, talent management, and organizational development across multiple industries and regions. She has held key leadership roles at Chevron, Hewitt Associates, and Northern Trust, where she has successfully led large-scale HR initiatives, talent acquisition strategies, and diversity and inclusion programs. Fluent in Portuguese and English, Chereese has international experience spanning North America, South America, and Rwanda, bringing a global perspective to workforce optimization. A trusted advisor to C-suite executives, she is known for her strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and ability to align HR initiatives with business objectives. As an active board member for Avondale House and The Ensemble Theatre, she is passionate about empowering organizations through inclusive leadership, talent development, and culture transformation.

I’ve spent the last 17+ years helping organizations transform through technology, structure, and people-first leadership—across the military, nonprofit, and consulting worlds. I'm excited to share my full executive biography, highlighting where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and where I’m going next. Here is my biography.

Celeste Thompson, SHRM-SCP, is a seasoned HR executive and chief people officer with 30 years of experience transforming organizations through strategic talent management, cultural engagement, and workforce optimization. With expertise spanning technology, nonprofits, and fashion, she has successfully led large-scale HR transformations, M&A integrations, and DEI initiatives that drive measurable impact. A trusted advisor to C-suite executives, Celeste specializes in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, enhancing leadership development, and implementing innovative HR technology solutions. Her global experience, spanning the U.K., Brazil, India, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region, brings a unique perspective to workforce planning and organizational change. Passionate about fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures, Celeste is a sought-after thought leader and board member dedicated to shaping the future of human capital strategy.