Marissa Andrada

Marissa Andrada is a human resources and culture executive with more than 25 years of experience leading people and organizational strategies at major consumer brands. Andrada has integrated leadership capability and employee well-being into business strategies, helping organizations define their purpose and values while driving company growth and industry change.

Andrada began her career in HR generalist and management roles at Unisys Corporation, Pepsi Restaurants International/Pizza Hut, and Universal Studios. She later held senior leadership positions at Red Bull North America, GameStop Corporation, Starbucks Coffee Company, and Kate Spade & Company.

At Chipotle Mexican Grill, Andrada served as the brand's first Chief People Officer, later becoming Chief Diversity, Inclusion and People Officer. She played a key role in aligning the company's purpose—To Cultivate a Better World—with its people strategy. During her tenure, Chipotle underwent a significant transformation, focusing on purpose and culture, which contributed to revenue growth, workforce expansion, and the opening of new stores.

Andrada led initiatives to redefine employee benefits at Chipotle, including launching a tuition assistance program with the option to earn a debt-free college degree, expanding access to mental healthcare, and introducing a quarterly bonus program for all employees. She established core values, expanded learning opportunities to hourly workers and their families, and achieved racial and gender pay equity. Her background as a first-generation American influenced her commitment to diversity and inclusion, including offering English as a second language benefits.

Andrada is a founding member of the CNBC Workforce Executive Council and has received recognition such as the American Business Award Gold Stevie in the HR Executive of the Year category. She has been named to the HRD Global 100 list, Business Insider's HR Innovators list, and Nation's Restaurant News The Power List, Women of Influence. She is also a founding member of the SHRM Executive Council and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Workplace Dignity Council.

After her time at Chipotle, Andrada founded a people and culture consultancy, leveraging her experience at brands like Chipotle, Starbucks, and Kate Spade to support business leaders in building organizational capability and empowering employees. She serves as an independent board director at Krispy Kreme, Inc., chairs the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and is a board member of a $150 million diversity fund. Andrada also advises companies focused on employee opportunity and well-being.

Andrada hosts weekly conversations with leaders from various industries on workplace culture through her "CultureCast with Marissa" platform. She holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and completed her undergraduate education at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.