The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)®, a top-ranked leadership development organization, has named Janet Russell Norton as Chief People Officer.
In this role, Russell Norton will lead CCL’s people strategy, driving culture, engagement, organizational effectiveness, and HR operational management. She will serve as a member of the Executive Team and will report to CCL’s President and CEO, Martin Schneider.
“Janet has extensive global experience in talent management, organizational development, and strategic HR initiatives,” said Schneider. “She’s also worked closely with CCL as a client, which gives her deep insights into our offerings and people. That background, combined with her empathetic and authentic leadership style, makes Janet a strong fit for our culture, mission, and values. We’re delighted that she’s joined us.”
Russell Norton joins CCL with decades of experience in the field, most recently serving as the Head of Talent Strategy, Leader Development, and Employee Relations at Volvo Group, North America. Prior to her tenure with Volvo in 2022, Janet served as Vice President of Global Human Resources at consumer goods company Newell Brands, where she led global HR strategy for a $1.2 billion business unit. She has also held leadership roles in the insurance and financial sectors.
“I’m honored to take on the role of Chief People Officer at CCL. I believe our greatest impact comes from unlocking the potential of people, helping them grow, be recognized, and thrive. Together, we will strengthen how we work across borders, foster a culture of recognition and agility, and build the conditions for high performance that empowers our people and inspires the leaders we serve worldwide.”
A highly engaged civic leader, Russell Norton has served on the boards of medical, educational, and arts organizations in North Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Business Management from North Carolina State University and conducted post-graduate work in Psychology at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. She is based out of CCL’s global headquarters at its Greensboro campus location.

At the Center for Creative Leadership, our drive to create a ripple effect of positive change underpins everything we do. For 50+ years, we’ve pioneered leadership development solutions for leaders at every level, from community leaders to CEOs. Consistently ranked among the top global providers of executive education, our research-based programs and solutions inspire individuals at every level in organizations across the world — including 2/3 of the Fortune 1000 — to ignite remarkable transformations.
At the Center for Creative Leadership, our drive to create a ripple effect of positive change underpins everything we do. For 50+ years, we’ve pioneered leadership development solutions for leaders at every level, from community leaders to CEOs. Consistently ranked among the top global providers of executive education, our research-based programs and solutions inspire individuals at every level in organizations across the world — including 2/3 of the Fortune 1000 — to ignite remarkable transformations.
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