Top HR Execs to Watch in 2024

Whitney Barrera

Chief People Officer, Intelligent Waves

Whitney Barrera’s strong background in human resources, combined with her mission-focused mindset and dedication to service, sets her apart in the industry. As a Veteran-Owned and Operated company, Intelligent Waves creates high-paying jobs for veterans, who make up nearly half of its workforce.

Barrera’s personal connection to the military — as the wife of a former U.S. Marine and the daughter and granddaughter of U.S. Navy and Army veterans — gives her a unique perspective and deep understanding of the importance of supporting and advocating for team members.

Why Watch

Barrera’s leadership philosophy emphasizes the vital role of every team member and the value of building a strong, supportive community, reflecting her commitment to creating a positive and empowering work environment. Her previous role as VP of talent at Intelligent Waves, where she led a highly successful recruiting team and significantly contributed to the company’s growth, further showcases her ability to drive meaningful change within the organization.

Barrera’s education in foreign languages, communications and organizational development, along with her memberships in top HR organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management and Talent Acquisition Leadership Keynotes, highlights her commitment to continuous learning and growth in the HR field.

“We are excited to promote Whitney Barrera to our executive leadership team,” said Tony Crescenzo, CEO of Intelligent Waves. “As VP of Talent, Whitney has assembled an outstanding team of recruiters who have contributed significantly to our growth. As a Washington Post Top Workplace in 2024, Whitney’s new role as IW’s Chief People Officer will be expanded to include leading IW’s human resources strategy and our excellent HR team.”