Meet Tracy
Tracy Layney is a workplace strategist, advisor and two-time Chief Human Resources Officer who guides organizations through transformation at the intersection of leadership, culture and AI. She advises CEOs, boards and executive teams on building what she describes as “co-intelligent organizations,” where human judgment and emerging technologies work together to drive stronger business performance, innovation and resilience. Tracy's career spans three distinct chapters: strategy consultant, Fortune 500 operator and now strategic advisor. This combination of experiences allows her to help leaders bridge strategy and execution as they build businesses for what’s next.
A 2023 recipient of the CHRO of the Year award by HRO Today, Tracy advises organizations on navigating the future of work in a rapidly changing technological landscape while remaining deeply human-centered. She believes the companies that will thrive are those that successfully combine operational rigor, empathy and AI capabilities to build stronger cultures, better leaders and more resilient businesses. She also believes the best work happens when people are energized and truly engaged, creating environments where employees flourish, thrive and perform at their highest potential.
In addition to her advisory work, Tracy teaches human capital strategy at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she works with current and emerging CHROs as well as other c-suite leaders on leadership and workforce transformation. She further contributes her expertise as a board member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation, the GLIDE Foundation, University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences and Congregation Rodef Sholom.
Over the past three decades, Tracy has led global organizations through periods of significant transformation as EVP & CHRO at Levi Strauss & Co., CHRO at Shutterfly and held multiple executive leadership positions at Gap Inc., including Chief People Officer for Old Navy (a division of Gap Inc.), and PwC. At Levi Strauss & Co., she oversaw a global workforce of more than 20,000 employees and 250 HR leaders across 50 countries, helping guide the company through major business, workforce and leadership transformations. Her expertise spans organizational transformation, workforce strategy, CEO succession planning, executive compensation, governance, leadership continuity and large-scale change management.
Across her executive leadership roles, Tracy has led people strategies for companies generating billions in annual revenue and employing tens of thousands of people worldwide, building high-performing cultures while navigating periods of growth, disruption and reinvention. Tracy is also a sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader on organizational change, AI and the next era of leadership.
Outside of work, Tracy has a deep love of people and connection. She enjoys hosting and bringing others together to share ideas and stories, something that naturally carries into how she leads and builds organizations. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and enjoys traveling with her husband Jaison and their son Noah.
University of Chicago
Booth School of Business
Tracy serves as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she teaches Human Capital Strategy in the Executive Education CXO Program. Drawing on decades of executive leadership experience, she develops and delivers curriculum that equips current and emerging Chief Human Resources Officers as well as other c-suite leaders to navigate workforce transformation, organizational change and the evolving future of leadership.
Awards & Recognition
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2023 CHRO of the Year, Large Market
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New Era of Leadership, Empathy Award
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League of Extraordinary CHROs
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2023 Future Focused Superstars
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50 People Leaders Driving Positive Change
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Best Employers for Diversity (2023, 2024) – Levi Strauss & Co.
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Change the World (2024) – Levi Strauss & Co.
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Corporate Equality Index – Perfect Score (2020-2023) – Levi Strauss & Co.
Governance