Kristen Ludgate

Kristen Ludgate is a strategic advisor, seasoned executive, and advocate for workplace transformation and workforce development.

Ludgate most recently served as chief people officer at HP Inc., a $50+ billion global technology company with operations in over 100 countries. At HP, Ludgate helped lead the company through significant transformation, deploying future-of-work strategies and strengthening senior leadership and board engagement on succession, culture, and risk. She oversaw a $10 billion pension portfolio and led a 750-person global team focused on talent, rewards, and inclusion and also introduced AI-powered tools to enhance internal mobility, skills-based planning, and employee learning.

A champion for workforce development, Ludgate co-sponsored HP’s Work Relationship Index and helped design initiatives to prepare employees for the future of work. She also supported youth education and workforce readiness through her leadership roles with the HP Foundation and 3M Foundation, where she launched community coalitions and philanthropic partnerships to advance access to education and career pathways.

Previously, Ludgate held multiple executive roles at 3M, including EVP and chief human resources officer, where she led one of the largest reorganizations in the company’s history and launched its first enterprise-wide People & Culture strategy. Earlier, she oversaw legal, compliance, and communications functions, advising the CEO and board on executive compensation, ethics, and litigation.

Ludgate currently serves on the Board of Directors of Associated Bank (NYSE: ASB). She brings a rare combination of business, legal, and human capital expertise to her board and executive advisory work.

She graduated summa cum laude from Bowdoin College and the University of Minnesota Law School, and she remains a licensed attorney.