Los Angeles HR Group Named Executive of the Year
The National Human Resources Association recognized local leadership for driving organizational momentum.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Human Resources
The Los Angeles chapter of the National Human Resources Association named Cedars-Sinai executive Andy Ortiz its 2026 HR Executive of the Year. The recognition occurred during the organization's 11th annual awards ceremony.
Why it matters
The awards highlight top-tier leadership strategies in human resources, focusing on the ability to act as a catalyst for workplace culture and organizational momentum. Such recognitions provide benchmarks for how local operators effectively manage their human capital.
The National Human Resources Association, founded in 1951, recognized 4 finalists during its 11th annual awards ceremony. This event highlights the competitive standards for leadership excellence currently recognized within the Los Angeles market.
The players
Andy Ortiz
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Cedars-Sinai who was named 2026 HR Executive of the Year.
National Human Resources Association
A professional membership organization founded in 1951 that supports human resources practitioners through networking and industry leadership awards.
Cedars-Sinai
A major Los Angeles-based healthcare provider and medical research institution with a large workforce.
The details
The selection process for the awards emphasized leaders who function as catalysts to accelerate progress within their organizations. The event at the Skirball Cultural Center honored executives who prioritize workplace culture and dedication to people as primary drivers of their business operations. Three other leaders—Kathleen Vu, Oracio Galindo, and Ellen Goldsmith—were also recognized as finalists alongside Ortiz.
Timeline
The National Human Resources Association was established in 1951.
The 11th annual Executive of the Year Awards ceremony occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
This award aligns with the established history of the National Human Resources Association, which has operated since 1951 to codify professional standards. It follows the precedent set by prior annual awards programs that prioritize human capital as a key driver of enterprise competitiveness.
Operators should review the leadership traits identified in award-winning HR executives to refine their own workforce strategies. Benchmarking these standards can help managers identify necessary shifts in their own approaches to culture and organizational momentum.
The takeaway
The recognition of Andy Ortiz and the finalists underscores the critical impact of human capital leadership on organizational performance. Managers should monitor how peer companies leverage HR executives to drive strategic momentum in their own operations.
Further reading
For additional trends in regional talent management, explore the Human Resources section.
