Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Heather Bender, Chief People Officer at HealthEdge.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?
I grew up in Baldwinsville, NY, which is a suburb of Syracuse. I am an only child, so very early on, I was a bit more mature and independent than others.
What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?
I studied East Asian Studies and Economics in college, as I was fascinated by cultures outside the U.S. I had a knack for languages and challenged myself to learn Japanese and spend a term abroad there. I was initially interested in pursuing an international business role, but then attended Cornell University and got a Master’s degree in Industrial & Labor Relations, which led me to a domestic entry level role in Human Resources at Hallmark Cards.
Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?
After being in a rotational program for new grads at Hallmark, I shifted to the high tech industry by taking a human resources role at Sun Microsystems. Over 12 years there, I took on roles of increasing responsibility and ultimately, served in HR business partner roles supporting various direct reports of the CEO. Upon the Oracle acquisition, I moved to Nokia, where I enjoyed a truly global experience in HR Business Partner roles for 5 years. When Nokia spun off my business unit, I had an extraordinary opportunity to be part of building a new company, a new culture, and a new human resources function. It was during this 5 year stint that I was given opportunities to expand my scope to include enterprise-wide functions such as performance and talent management, leadership, and HR Operations. This was all in preparation for a CHRO role and led me to spend 2 years as the VP, Talent at iRobot, where I was mentored by a fabulous CHRO which ultimately prepared me for my current role as Chief People Officer at HealthEdge.
What is your current role and responsibilities?
As the Chief People Officer at HealthEdge, I am ultimately responsible for ensuring the company has the right talent in place to achieve our growth mission. I develop our people strategy and oversee the HR team including Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, Internal Communications, Organizational Development, Talent & Learning, as well as Employee Experience.
Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?
In the early part of my career, I only looked a role or two ahead and mid-career, I focused mostly on how to continue to grow my skills while balancing my desire to be a present wife and an involved mother to my three children. As the kids grew, I had some role models and mentors who encouraged me to develop myself for a CHRO role. Thus, over the past few years, becoming a CHRO was a clear and stated goal for me.
For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?
First, it’s good to have a directional plan, but remain open and say “yes” when new opportunities emerge - even if it makes you uncomfortable. If we are uncomfortable, we are learning. In today’s world, you will stay relevant by continuously learning and being adaptable. Second, follow your gut when it comes to selecting companies that align with your values. While it may be difficult to turn down a great opportunity, if the people you are meeting, the stories they are telling, or other signals about the culture give you pause, don’t be afraid to walk away - another great opportunity will emerge. Don’t settle.
What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?
In my role, the ability to influence and collaborate are critical, as is the courage to address uncomfortable topics, understand multiple points of view, and help facilitate solutions. In addition, running a People organization requires an ability to articulate the business value of your programs to secure support and investment in the employee experience. The ability to drive performance and growth of the company ultimately rests with our ability to attract, retain and develop talent.
What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work? What’s the most challenging?
At all of my past companies, I have really worked with some extraordinary people, who I’ve enjoyed partnering with and learning from. That is what makes work interesting and motivates me. I approach my work by assuming good intent from others, and I often find myself trying to facilitate people through difficult conversation or situations where there is a lack of understanding, misinterpretation or bad assumptions. The most challenging aspect for me is working with people who don’t assume good intent and/or don’t practice with good intent. Equally frustrating is when leaders don’t recognize how the performance of their organization is directly correlated with their ability to lead with purpose and engage their teams. We are all here to run a successful business, and the ability to address conflict and lead through others is critical.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
In my second year of working at Hallmark Cards, I rotated into the Manufacturing division and they asked me to take on first line supervisor responsibilities for the department that printed and packaged napkins and table covers. The employees were less than thrilled to see a 20-something who knew nothing about printing take over as their manager. Over the course of the one year assignment, I was able to win them over by learning their business from all of them and ultimately implementing new practices that increased engagement and fun in our work environment.
Q&A
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
With two kids out of the house, we are moving towards becoming empty nesters and travel as much as possible. I enjoy summer in New England, where I can be found poolside or boating with my family. The rest of the year I spend a lot of time walking the local trails with my chocolate lab, Zoe, enjoying the change in seasons.
How do you manage stress?
Spending time outdoors usually helps melt away stress. I also find I can start to lose sharpness, productivity and creativity if I sit in front of a screen for too long - so I need to get up, move and do something different - a short walk, 10 minutes of weight lifting, or a quick cook in the kitchen usually resets me.
How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?
One cup of Chemex-brewed coffee!
Any book or podcast recommendations?
For fun, I recently listened to Strike Force Five, with the 5 late night tv hosts who were not working due to the writer’s strike. It was laugh out loud funny, but what I really loved was seeing five people, who are essentially competitors, get together to raise money for their staffs and genuinely enjoy being with one another. For professional or growth purposes, I listen to CEO Perspectives from the Conference Board, 9 to 5ish from the Skimm, and Brene Brown.
What advice do you have for recent college graduates?
Similar as for others - have a plan, but be open to changes in the plan. Take opportunities as they come, and be patient. Developing new skills through new experiences takes time and it’s important to spend the needed time becoming proficient. As a parent of recent grads, though, it is very clear to me that new grads have a lot to offer those of us who have been in the workforce for decades. I have worked to embrace (& learn from!) the new skills that the younger generations are bringing - find ways to share your knowledge and improve the efficiencies in your business.
