Yum! Brands, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies with more than 41,000 KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell restaurants in over 125 countries and territories, announced that chief people officer Anne Byerlein has been named one of Forbes’ Top 10 Chief Human Resources Officers (CHRO). The Top 10 CHRO list was developed by Mike Myatt, a Forbes contributor, author, and leadership expert, as well as an advisor to Fortune 500 CEOs and Boards.

Byerlein, who has served as chief people officer since 2002, is one of an elite group of human resources executives on the list. In Myatt’s February 11 article on Forbes.com, he recognized Byerlein for her role in leading global Human Resources for Yum! Brands, which includes recruiting, staffing, benefits, people development and training, employee relations, diversity and inclusion, security, and facilities for more than 1.5 million employees and franchise associates across all the company’s divisions. He noted that Byerlein has been behind many of the company’s successes over the years. In addition, he said she has a reputation for strategic thinking, tactical precision, and a nose for talent. Myatt also discussed how today’s successful CHROs are change agents who help fuel growth and development, corporate strategy, and culture at their companies.

“It’s important that leaders in our company are smart with heart,” says Greg Creed, CEO of Yum! Brands. “Anne lives and breathes our culture and exemplifies someone who is smart with heart but also has the courage to make the big decisions that drive successful results. Her recognition is well-deserved and demonstrates our company’s focus on building people capability at all levels.”