Chipotle names Ilene Eskenazi as its chief human resources officerChipotle names Ilene Eskenazi as its chief human resources officer

Ilene Eskenazi has been named Chipotle’s chief human resources officer beginning Nov. 27. She will report to chairman and CEO Brian Niccol.

Eskenazi joins Chipotle from Petco Health and Wellness Company, where she served as chief legal and human resources officer. There, she oversaw compensation and benefits, human resources operations, talent management, and legal matters. Prior, she was the chief legal officer and senior vice president of talent operations and performance at True Religion Apparel Inc. She’s also held senior leadership positions at Red Bull North America and the Wonderful Company.

"It is an honor to join an industry-leading organization that invests heavily in its purpose-driven workforce. I am eager to deliver on Chipotle's strategic priorities and look forward to positioning the company for even greater success,” Eskenazi said in a statement.

"Ilene's vast human resources experience and legal expertise will be instrumental in growing Chipotle's culture of people development and strengthening the organization as a best-in-class employer. This is critical in Chipotle delivering our mission of Cultivating a Better World and growing to 7,000 restaurants," Niccol said in a statement.

Chipotle has also named Lois Alexis-Collins as its chief people officer, field operations, reporting to Eskenazi. Collins previously served as vice president of HR at ABM, a facility solutions provider. Prior, Collins held the VP of HR title at both Steak and Shake Inc. as well as Ruby Tuesday Inc., and also served in senior talent and people roles with Darden Restaurants and Waffle House Inc.

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"I am grateful to have the opportunity to join this remarkable company where I can apply my passion for engaging and retaining talent to help build future restaurant leaders," Alexis-Collins said in a statement.

These hires come a little over a year after Marissa Andrada, chief diversity, inclusion and people officer, left the company. Andrada was hired as Chipotle’s first people officer in 2018, adding diversity and inclusion to her purview in July 2020. More recently, in June, Tawanda Starms left Chipotle after serving as VP of people experience and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. A spokesperson for Chipotle said the DEI function will transition to Eskenazi upon her arrival. 

Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]