Humana Inc., a leading health and well-being company, has announced the appointment of Michelle O’Hara as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective January 1, 2025. In this role, O’Hara will oversee the company’s talent strategy and people programs, supporting Humana’s workforce of more than 63,000 employees.
With a strong background in human resources leadership, O’Hara brings over 20 years of experience in transforming HR functions and helping organizations attract, develop, and retain diverse, high-performing teams. Her extensive career has seen her implement strategic HR initiatives that enable business growth and talent retention across various sectors.
Humana’s President and CEO, Jim Rechtin, expressed his enthusiasm about O’Hara’s appointment, highlighting the importance of the company’s people strategy: “Humana’s people strategy is a core capability for our business that supports and empowers our workforce so they can successfully deliver on our mission to make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health. I am pleased to welcome Michelle as our new Chief Human Resources Officer and look forward to working closely with her to ensure Humana remains a top employer of choice and a great place to work.”
Before joining Humana, O’Hara served as the Executive Vice President and CHRO at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a Fortune 500 technology firm. Her leadership at SAIC further solidified her reputation as an expert in driving HR transformation and enhancing organizational performance.
O’Hara holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the College of William & Mary. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she serves on the board of directors for Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation and the HR Policy Association, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing the HR profession.
Humana, known for its focus on health and well-being, provides health insurance services and operates the CenterWell healthcare services division. Through these services, the company aims to improve the quality of life for millions of people, including those covered by Medicare, and Medicaid, as well as families, military personnel, and communities at large.
