Build Your Leadership Pipeline Webinar #3—Guiding the Company’s Future: CEO Succession
Join us for the final session of our highly anticipated three-part webinar series, Build Your Leadership Pipeline!
This webinar is designed for CHROs, heads of talent and development, and other HR professionals responsible for strengthening leadership pipelines with a focus on succession planning. It is also highly relevant for board members and CEOs involved in shaping the future leadership of their organizations.
Register for Guiding the Company’s Future: CEO Succession, November 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. EST, and we’ll respond with a calendar invite and Zoom link details.
Register for the upcoming webinar: Build Your Leadership Pipeline
Webinar #3: Guiding the Company’s Future: CEO Succession
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. EST
Our Topic
This final installment of our popular webinar series takes a direct look at the CHRO’s critical role in the most complex and high-stakes leadership transition: CEO succession. This webinar is designed to provide you with an inside perspective on the responsibilities and challenges you face when navigating this pivotal moment.
The session will explore how CHROs can maximize their impact throughout the succession process, from proactively partnering with the board to create a future-focused talent pipeline and manage the intricate dynamics between candidates and key stakeholders. You will gain a deeper understanding of the timing and strategy required for a well-managed succession and learn how to align potential CEOs with your organization’s culture and long-term vision.
Through candid insights and real-world examples, we will highlight lessons learned from the CHRO’s perspective, focusing on how to effectively ease the transition between the incoming and outgoing CEOs and overcome common obstacles. You will leave with practical tools, innovative strategies, and an integrated understanding of how to align leadership succession with your organization’s long-term goals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape your organization’s leadership future. With actionable advice, real-world case studies, and best practices, this webinar will guide you toward creating your future-ready leadership pipeline.
If you missed (or want to replay) the second webinar in our series, “Succession Planning for Leaders in Critical Roles,” held on May 12, you can watch a recording here. If you missed (or want to replay) our first succession planning webinar, “Build Your Leadership Pipeline: Learn How to Future-Proof Your Organization,” you can watch a recording here.
Our Panel
Tim Richmond
former EVP and CHRO
AbbVie
Tim Richmond is the former executive vice president and chief human resources officer at AbbVie, where he led a global human resources organization focused on engaging high-performing employees and amplifying a culture that drives business performance. As a result of this focus, AbbVie has been named to more than 40 lists for Great Place to Work® and Top Employer® and is prominently recognized on “Best of” lists related to workplace, diversity, employee engagement, corporate responsibility, and business performance. In addition to his responsibilities at AbbVie, he is chair of the board of directors for the Human Resources Policy Association and on the advisory board for the University of South Carolina’s Center for Executive Succession. Tim also serves on the board of directors for the Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation and the Travis Manion Foundation. In 2024, he was awarded the Distinguished HR Executive Award by the Academy of Management and in 2020, was named a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, the highest honor granted in the human resources profession.
Melanie Burns
Senior Executive Vice President and CHRO
TD Bank Group
Melanie Burns is the senior executive vice president and chief human resources officer for TD Bank Group. In her role, Melanie is accountable for all people and culture strategies who helps the Bank enrich the lives of customers, communities, and colleagues across TD’s global footprint. She is a member of the Bank’s senior executive team. Melanie joined TD in 2011, bringing extensive experience in the financial services industry and managing global HR teams. Since this time, she has held various senior roles in human resources, progressing to the position of executive vice president in 2023 and assuming the role of chief human resources officer in 2024.
Jeffrey J. Hurd
Chief Operating Officer
Equitable Holdings
Jeffrey J. Hurd is the Chief Operating Officer of Equitable Holdings and a member of its Management Committee. He provides strategic oversight for key functional areas, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Service Operations, and Communications. Mr. Hurd also leads the Innovation and Design Office, which drives an iterative culture, implements New Ways of Working, and educates teams on agile and customer-centered problem-solving methodologies. Furthermore, he is responsible for the company’s ESG strategy and programs, Procurement, and Real Estate. Prior to joining Equitable, Mr. Hurd had a nearly 20-year career at AIG, holding roles such as chief operating officer, chief human resources officer, and chief administrative officer. He serves on the board of directors for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. He holds a juris doctor degree from New York University School of Law and a bachelor of arts degree from Union College.
Deb Rubin
RHR senior partner, head of CEO and board
RHR International
Deb Rubin is a Senior Partner and Head of RHR International’s CEO and Board Services offering. She specializes in CEO succession, senior executive and senior team development, and managing and implementing organizational change. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, Deb collaborates with boards and senior executives to drive impact in sectors including retail, travel, high-tech, energy, food and food service, manufacturing, and mining.
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