Spotlight on Donocan Mattole

Donovan Mattole is the global CHRO for Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, an engineering and scientific consulting firm with over fifty offices around the world and projects in over a hundred countries.  He's spent over two decades in HR leadership roles across a variety of global companies and industries, including Mars and Brenntag.  

A fun fact about Donovan is he grew up on an organic regenerative farm and is passionate about regenerative agriculture and care for the earth and is actively involved community watershed restoration in the area he grew up in Northern California.

Learn more about the New York CHRO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I took a "temporary break" from graduate studies in the Middle East and got a full-time job in a bookstore. After a few years, I realized I loved training and development and that led me into a new career in leadership, development and human resources.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

I eschew hierarchical top-down leadership styles, and I'm passionate about a teamship model that drives innovation and accountability within the team.
 

What is the greatest challenge CHROs face today, and how are you addressing it?

We are entering a new era with the incorporation of AI and technology into traditional "white-collar" roles that will reinvent jobs at a pace we have not seen over the course of the past few decades.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CHRO?

Build strong relationships with your new peers and realize that your first team is now your fellow C-suite team members.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

I look to the people metrics first, including engagement, retention and followership and then I look at the metrics they are responsible for secondarily.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

Staying current on trends and best practices; building peer relationships; being exposed to top tier vendors and innovative companies.

Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.