Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) announced the appointment of Amanda Cole as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective July 21, 2026. Cole will succeed Judith Bacchus, who is set to retire on or about October 1, 2026, after more than 20 years at the company.

Cole joins Kennametal from Wesco International, Inc., where she most recently served as Vice President of Human Resources for the Electrical & Electronic Solutions Business and IT & Digital Functions, overseeing HR strategy for a multibillion-dollar global business unit and supporting approximately 6,500 employees. She has more than 20 years of experience in human resources leadership roles.

In her new position, Cole will oversee all human resources functions globally, as well as corporate communications and environmental, health, safety and quality activities.

Cole holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore. She began her career at Newell Rubbermaid as a Project Manager and Manufacturing Engineer.

Sanjay Chowbey, President and CEO of Kennametal, credited outgoing CHRO Bacchus, who joined the company in 2006, with building the company's global talent strategy and leading functions including human resources, communications, and environmental, health, safety and quality.