Kristen Ludgate

Kristen Ludgate

Board Director | Strategic Advisor | CHRO | Lawyer

OpenTextWaterloo, Ontario, Canada

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Experience28+ Years
LevelLeadership

Executive Overview

I am currently a member of the Board of Directors of OpenText (OTEX) and of Associated Bank (ASB), where I sit on the compensation and nominating and governance committees. I am also a Trustee for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Previously, I held multiple senior executive roles at 3M and HP, two highly complex, innovative global companies undertaking significant transformation. As HP's Chief People Officer, I worked with HP people and teams to innovate, transform and advance our business through world class talent, culture, and employee experience strategies--ensuring that HP remains a place where people can thrive, working together to build on HPs pioneering legacy and achieve bold ambitions to lead the future of work. I was also a co-sponsor of HP’s groundbreaking Work Relationship Index, co-chair of the enterprise crisis management team, and a director for the HP Foundation. I joined HP from 3M, where I held two c-suite roles, as CHRO for three years and, before that, head of communications and enterprise services. I was also chair of the 3M Foundation. Over my sixteen years at 3M, I had a diverse career leading teams in HR, philanthropy, communications, enterprise services, and legal affairs, including as Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Employment Counsel. Indeed, my career has never been a straight line! In addition to my work at HP and 3M, I was a commercial lawyer in private practice, general counsel for a university, and held several positions in higher education.

Career Timeline

Professional employment history
  • OpenTextCurrent
    Jun 2025–Present· 1 yr 3 mos
    • Independent DirectorCurrent
      Jun 2025–Present
  • May 2025–Present· 1 yr 4 mos
    • Member Board of TrusteesCurrent
      May 2025–Present
  • Dec 2024–Present· 1 yr 9 mos
    • Independent DirectorCurrent
      Dec 2024–Present
  • Jul 2021–Jun 2025· 3 yrs 11 mos
    • Strategic Advisor
      Feb 2025–Jun 2025
    • Chief People Officer
      Jul 2021–2025
  • Nov 2008–Jun 2021· 12 yrs 7 mos
    • Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
      Jul 2018–Jun 2021
    • Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications & Enterprise Services
      2018–Jun 2018
    • Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources Business Operations
      Apr 2017–Dec 2017
    • Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer
      Apr 2015–Apr 2017
    • Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Labor & Employment/HR Legal Team
      Jul 2010–Mar 2015
    • Senior Counsel, Legal
      Nov 2008–Jun 2010
  • Feb 2008–Oct 2008· 8 mos
    • Vice President and General Counsel
      Feb 2008–Oct 2008
  • Apr 2005–Feb 2008· 2 yrs 10 mos
    • Legal Counsel
      Apr 2005–Feb 2008
  • Mar 2004–Apr 2005· 1 yr 1 mo
    • Attorney
      Mar 2004–Apr 2005
  • Dec 2002–Mar 2004· 1 yr 3 mos
    • Legal Counsel
      Dec 2002–Mar 2004
  • Sep 1998–Nov 2002· 4 yrs 2 mos
    • Attorney
      Sep 1998–Nov 2002

Education

J.D.

University of Minnesota Law School

B.A.

Bowdoin College

Executive Relationship Map

Reports To
Kristen Ludgate
Vice Chair & President
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Operating Officer

Executive Network Preview

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Skills & Expertise

20 of 20 skills
Legal ComplianceLegal AdviceBoard GovernanceDispute ResolutionComplianceEmployment LawOrganizational LeadershipImmigration LawExecutive CompensationCorporate Social ResponsibilityMergers & AcquisitionsCrisis ManagementBusiness EthicsHuman ResourcesWorkplace InvestigationsEmployment LitigationEmployee BenefitsLegal AffairsWorkplace ViolenceDiversity Strategy