Charles N. Whitaker serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer at Altria Group, Inc., where he leads the company's global human resources function and compliance efforts. With over two decades of experience in HR leadership, Whitaker is responsible for driving talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies that support Altria's transformation into a smoke-free future. He also oversees enterprise-wide compliance programs, risk management, and ethical governance, ensuring adherence to stringent regulatory standards in the highly scrutinized tobacco and consumer products industries. Whitaker joined Altria in 2001 as Director of Compensation, rapidly advancing through progressively senior roles, including Vice President of Compensation and Benefits, Vice President of HR Operations, and Senior Vice President of HR Business Partners. Prior to Altria, he held key HR positions at Philip Morris International and Kraft Foods, honing his expertise in compensation design, organizational effectiveness, and labor relations. His tenure has coincided with significant company milestones, including the spin-off of Philip Morris International and the acquisition of JUUL Labs. Under Whitaker's leadership, Altria has achieved notable advancements in diversity, equity, and inclusion, earning recognition on lists such as Forbes' Best Employers for Diversity. He has spearheaded innovative employee wellness programs and agile HR operating models that enhanced workforce productivity amid industry disruptions. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Business Administration, Whitaker is a certified compensation professional (CCP) and serves on the boards of several HR industry organizations, contributing to thought leadership in talent management and corporate compliance.