Celebrating Women in Technology: Q&A With Gina Hartigan, Chief People Officer at Kantata

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are sharing a collection of candid Q&As with women at Kantata who are leading the way in the industry. Each conversation highlights their impressive achievements and unique experiences in the technology industry.

In this Q&A, we spoke with Gina Hartigan, Chief People Officer at Kantata, about how the Know, Go, Show leadership philosophy has shaped her career, how to form a healthy work culture, and more.

1. How did you navigate your career path to reach your current executive role at Kantata, and what advice would you give aspiring women leaders?

I’ve navigated my career path using a Know, Go, Show leadership philosophy. This advice encourages aspiring women leaders to Learn, Act, and Teach.

Know:

• Understanding and Knowledge: I’ve prioritized continuous learning and doing a great job in my job. Collecting wisdom from every experience and understanding the domain, industry, or area of expertise is essential. This involves staying informed about current trends, best practices, and relevant information. It also involves learning from others and building your professional network of trusted advisors. Leaders who “know” are well-equipped to make informed decisions and provide valuable guidance to their teams.

Go:

• Action and Implementation: Leadership involves more than just knowledge; it requires action. Effective leaders possess knowledge and take initiative, make decisions, and implement strategies. I’ve navigated my career by exemplifying the qualities I expect from my team and behaving/dressing for the job I want, not just the job I have. Excelling in your current role while projecting the image of the role you aspire to is a powerful strategy for career advancement. It establishes your credibility and capabilities and positions you as a natural fit for future higher-level responsibilities and leadership roles.

Show the Way:

• Enriching Leadership Qualities: Leadership is not just about telling; it’s about showing. “Show the way” emphasizes leading with integrity, demonstrating empathy, and teaching what you have learned to enrich those around you. Pay it forward and elevate the IQ of everyone around you.

In essence, I believe that leaders must possess knowledge and understanding, take decisive actions, and be role models and lifelong learners and coaches.

2. How do you balance professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what strategies have you found effective in maintaining a healthy work-life integration?

Balancing work and personal life means managing energy wisely rather than just being tied to a clock. Based on my style and self-awareness, I focus on the quality of my time and make decisions that help me find a sustainable and fulfilling balance. I try to tackle important tasks when I’m most energetic and save lighter stuff when I’m a bit tired. I also create sensory experiences that elevate my mood, such as smooth jazz in the background, the scent of a candle, or a soft piece of fabric on my lap.

Taking care of myself is key, so I make time for exercise, mindfulness, and getting enough sleep. I’ve also noticed that connecting with others and doing things that bring me joy boosts my energy. Building positive relationships and engaging in activities I love makes me happier and helps me recharge for both professional and personal commitments.

3. Can you speak on any of your recent accomplishments? What are you most proud of in your work at Kantata?

At Kantata, I am most proud of merging two competing companies to form a positive workplace culture recognized with a Great Place to Work distinction, engagement scores higher than the industry average, and Comparably’s Top Company Culture award.

In our work environment, the idea that “culture is the sum of everything” emphasizes that Kantata’s culture encompasses a broad range of interconnected elements. This includes explicit factors like policies and procedures and implicit aspects such as communication styles, shared values, teamwork, leadership behavior, and the overall atmosphere.

Cross functionally, we have been focused on building engagement through intentional deposits in connecting employees in a remote workforce, our recognition framework, how we equip our leaders, live our values, establish fair and consistent practices, and communicate transparently. Establishing a culture operating rhythm ensures that the interconnectedness of these elements becomes a strong foundation for our business and a distinct aspect of what it means to work at Kantata.

4. In honor of Women’s History Month, can you highlight a woman leader who has inspired or influenced your career, and how did their impact shape your leadership style?

Throughout my career, I’ve often reflected on the influences shaping my leadership philosophy throughout my career. From my fiercely independent mom to my nurturing 5th-grade teacher and the visionary CFO who prioritized mindset and skillset over resume bullets, these experiences have molded my approach.

However, a significant shift occurred when my 25-year-old daughter, Gemma, emerged as a catalyst for change in my leadership style. In 2020, as I assumed the lead HR role at Kantata, Gemma coached me on the importance of compassionate and empathetic leadership. Contrary to my traditionally efficient project management approach, she encouraged me to infuse more humanity into my role, reminding me that the key to greatness in HR lies in putting the “human” back in “human resources.”

Gemma challenged me to lead with my head and heart, advocating for a leadership style that mirrored how I managed our family. Until then, my professional journey had rewarded a more business-centric approach, but Gemma’s influence prompted a profound expansion of my capacity to lead with strength and warmth.

Over the past four years, this evolution in leadership style has proven invaluable, particularly amidst global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. The increasing importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and empathetic leadership is evident in the widespread adoption of remote work, a heightened focus on social justice and mental health, technological advancements, changing workforce expectations, and a notable shift in leadership paradigms.

I’m grateful for Gemma’s insightful guidance, which has not only stretched my leadership capabilities but allowed me to navigate uncertainties better, foster positive team dynamics, and contribute to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Gemma’s influence is a testament to the transformative power of empathetic leadership in today’s evolving professional landscape.

Learn More

Gina is one of many women at Kantata who are driving results both within their organization and within the technology industry. To hear more stories from the women at Kantata, browse the entire Women in Technology series here. And to learn more about career opportunities at Kantata, visit this page.