Organised by Paperjam, the competition showcases the expertise, human impact and innovative capacity of HR managers in companies across the country. Based on peer-to-peer recognition, it offers unique visibility to women and men who contribute on a daily basis to the development of talent and the well-being of employees.

“Recognising the strategic role of HR leaders means recognising that of employees within the organisation. HR jobs are becoming increasingly complex, and having the work of an HR director and their team highlighted by their peers is a unique opportunity to highlight the high added value of this profession,” notes Mike Koedinger, founder of Paperjam.

During the first round, more than 120 HRDs expressed their views on a dedicated platform by nominating the most influential and talented personalities in the following categories: Institutional, Retail & Hospitality, Services and Financial Sector.

A second round of voting next week will elect a single HR Leader per category, as well as the HR Leader of the Year 2026.

The five winners will be revealed at a gala dinner on 27 January at the Tramsschapp. More details about the awards ceremony and how to book tables are available on the Paperjam Club website.

Here are the HR Leaders of the Year 2026 finalists, category by category. In some categories, the number of finalists slightly exceeds ten personalities due to ties.

Finalists by category

Institutional category

—Alexandre Massol (Stëftung Hëllef Doheem)

—Emilie Zimer (Luxinnovation)

—Karine Rollot (Robert Schuman Hospitals)

—Myriam Sibenaler (ABBL)

– Tatiana Escure (Stëmm vun der Strooss)

—Adina Elena Lupu (ALFI)

– Dorothée Schneider (Luxembourg Red Cross)

– Valérie Gavroy (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

– Olivier Schmitt (CHL)

– Caroline Lamy (House of Training)

– Patrick Wolter (Chamber of Commerce of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

Retail & Hospitality category

– Susanne Cardoso (Rockhal)

– Chantal Trausch (RAK Porcelain Europe S.A.)

– Léa Piot (Cocottes)

—Liliana Alves (La Provençale)

– Carole Huberty (Elisabeth)

– Agnès Parmentier (United Caps)

– Aurélie Daguenet (Babilou Family Luxembourg)

– Khadija Tizghouine Idjennaden (Hotel Le Royal Luxembourg)

– Annick Ernster (Ernster - L'esprit livre)

– Elisabeth Rayemamby (Oberweis Luxembourg)

– Robert Faymonville (Cactus)

– Valérie Dubois (Luxlait)

Services category

– Ann De Jonghe (Sodexo Luxembourg)

—Delphine Berlemont (PwC Luxembourg)

—Delphine Debailleul (Cargolux)

—Geraldine Hassler (KPMG Luxembourg)

– Fabrice Encelle (SLG)

—Nathalie Bourdeau (Paperjam)

– Yasmine Zarrab (Cap4 Group)

—Alexandra Damian (Cimalux)

—Christophe Ratynski (Pluxee Luxembourg)

– Isabelle Faber (Post)

– Julien Bossu (CDCL)

Financial Sector category

– Christopher Frères (Luxembourg Stock Exchange)

– Florence Martin (Foyer)

– Lise Roda (Pictet)

—Nicole Dochen (Banque de Luxembourg)

– Aurélie Ederlé (Société Générale)

—Edith Brunner (Lombard International Assurance, part of Utmost Group)

– Laurent Derkum (Banque Raiffeisen)

—Christophe Callens (Quintet)

– Josette Meyssonnier (Bank Julius Baer Europe)

– Marc Parage (Lalux Assurances La Luxembourgeoise)

– Michaël Labarsouque (ING Luxembourg)

– Romain Gossent (Lombard Odier Europe)