Chris Layden

Chris Layden became President and Chief Executive Officer of Kelly, a global specialty talent solutions provider, in September 2025. A dynamic leader with more than 20 years of industry experience, Layden has an impressive track record of transforming enterprises, executing go-to-market initiatives, and accelerating profitable growth.

Layden leads Kelly with a customer-centric and growth-focused mindset. Passionate about Kelly’s iconic brand and its legacy as a pioneer in the staffing industry, he spearheads the company’s specialty strategy by fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and purpose.

Layden is widely recognized for his ability to identify emerging market needs, design innovative solutions, and execute with speed and precision. Throughout his career, he has paired strategic thinking with inspirational leadership, consistently delivering results that create long-term value for clients, job seekers, employees, and stakeholders.

Prior to joining Kelly, Layden served as Chief Operating Officer at Prolink, a workforce solutions provider focused on the healthcare, technology, and skilled labor sectors in the United States. Under his leadership, Prolink achieved rapid organic growth and significantly strengthened its competitive positioning by enhancing its operational capabilities, innovating its service delivery, and transforming its technology platforms.

Previously, Layden spent nearly two decades at ManpowerGroup, a global workforce solutions company, serving in a range of senior roles spanning general management, regional leadership, corporate strategy, and sales. During his tenure at ManpowerGroup, he successfully led enterprise-wide initiatives, executed multiple business transformations, and was a significant contributor to the company’s growth in the life sciences, engineering, and technology verticals.

Layden began his career in staffing as an intern while pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at Boston College, where he graduated magna cum laude. A recognized workforce solutions and labor market expert, he regularly shares his expertise on employment trends at industry events and with outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and CNBC. He has served on numerous boards and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

A native of Milwaukee, Layden resides in Birmingham, Michigan, near Kelly headquarters, with his wife and two children.