Chanel Hong is Director, Head of People at Toyota Research Institute (TRI), where she leads talent acquisition, people strategy and operations, employee experience, diversity, equity and inclusion, and learning and development.

She focuses on building an inclusive organization that enables impactful research and innovation. Her work includes strengthening TRI’s culture, aligning leadership, and developing systems that enable effective operations, engagement, and growth.

Since joining TRI in 2016 as an early employee, Chanel has played a foundational role in shaping the institute’s evolution. As chief of staff to TRI CEO and TMC Chief Scientist Dr. Gill Pratt, she led company-wide planning, drove global initiatives across TRI and Toyota Motor Corporation, and established TRI’s stakeholder relations function to strengthen trust and alignment with key stakeholders.

She brings more than 25 years of experience in executive advisory, administration, operations, and corporate communications in the technology sector. Chanel holds a bachelor of arts in art history from Mills College and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation.