Chris Edmonds-Waters


Chris Edmonds-Waters is the Chief Human Resources Officer and a member of SVB Financial Group's Executive Management Team. Chris is responsible for leading the Human Resources Division developing programs to support SVB Financial Group's ability to effectively provide diversified financial services on a global scale. Chris is also on-point as management's representative in working with Compensation Committee Directors in all pertinent compensation-related matters, and the broader Board of Directors on executive management succession planning.

Chris joined SVB Financial Group in 2003 as the Director of Organization Effectiveness. In that role, he led a group of human resources business partners, learning and development professionals and HR operations team members to ensure that SVB's people strategies aligned with company priorities. Chris has improved the firm's ability to recruit and retain top talent, and fostered improved coaching, management and compensation practices to fine-tune employee performance at all levels. Chris has also worked extensively with executive management to distill and imbue SVB's leadership practices into practical and relevant strategies that help run the company today. Chris has helped oversee expansion of staff into the Asia (including helping establish SVB's first China-based joint venture business), and EMEA markets. During Chris's tenure, SVB has consistently achieved outstanding client and employee satisfaction scores, earning a place on the Fortune 100 Top Employers list, landing as a first-time applicant and new entrant in position #40.

Prior to joining SVB, Chris held numerous senior human resources positions at Charles Schwab & Co., and both revenue-producing and support (human resources) roles at Macy's California.

Chris has a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and a master's degree in human resources and organization development from the University of San Francisco.
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Chief Human Resources Officer