Manage HR Magazine: Awards Ranking
Manage HR Magazine proudly presents the Top 10 Directors of Total Rewards 2026, recognizing leaders who are redefining how organizations attract and retain talent through thoughtful compensation and benefits strategies. These professionals design total rewards programs that align employee expectations with business objectives while supporting workforce engagement across diverse organizational settings. Their leadership helps companies strengthen talent retention and respond to evolving workforce needs, enabling organizations to build a more committed workforce while supporting long-term business performance.
Top 10 Directors of Total Rewards - 2026
Ellen Liaw
Director, Total Rewards, Essex Property Trust
Ellen Liaw serves as Director of Total Rewards at Essex Property Trust, where she oversees compensation, benefits and rewards programs across a large real estate organization. Her career spans compensation strategy, executive rewards, benefits administration and human resources leadership. Her work reflects a focus on ensuring that reward programs remain relevant to employees while supporting long-term workforce needs.
Chris Mervin
Director of Total Rewards, PACCAR
Chris Mervin serves as Director of Total Rewards at PACCAR, where he leads compensation, benefits and rewards programs within a global manufacturing organization. His career at PACCAR spans more than a decade across compensation, retirement benefits, health and welfare programs and human resources operations. His work reflects a sustained focus on connecting employee experience with business requirements.
