Wood Dale, Illinois, United States, April 2025 – Sharon Purnell has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at AAR, a global leader in aviation services. In this role, Sharon will be responsible for leading the company’s global human capital strategy, talent development initiatives, and fostering a culture of high performance across AAR’s international workforce.
Before joining AAR, Sharon served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Stepan Company, where she successfully drove strategic HR transformation, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness across global operations. Her initiatives strengthened employee engagement and reinforced company values during a period of significant business evolution.
Previously, she held the role of CHRO at Streamland Media, where she led HR for a multinational media group comprising post-production and visual effects brands across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the UK. She played a key role in integrating diverse teams and enhancing leadership capabilities across geographies.
Sharon also contributed to HR strategy as Vice President of Human Resources at Riddell, leading a 12-member HR team across global locations and designing key programs in performance management, onboarding, and employee engagement. Earlier, she held senior HR positions at UL Solutions, where she played a central role in M&A integrations, long-term incentive design, and talent management pilots.
Her earlier experience includes progressive HR leadership roles at Honeywell, GE Power, and GE Capital, where she managed global restructuring efforts, implemented strategic people programs, and helped organizations navigate complex transformations across industries and continents.
About AAR
AAR is a leading independent provider of services to commercial aviation and government markets worldwide. With operations in over 20 countries and a customer base spanning 100+ nations, AAR offers integrated aviation solutions including MRO Services, Parts Supply, Integrated Solutions, and Manufacturing. Headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR is committed to delivering excellence in quality, safety, and service while fostering innovation and a dynamic workplace culture. With a revenue of approximately $1.8 billion and over 6,000 employees, AAR is recognized globally for its contributions to aerospace and defense.
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