Kristen Ludgate
Board Director | Strategic Advisor | CHRO | Lawyer
OpenText•Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
View LinkedIn ProfileExecutive 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
- OpenTextCurrentJun 2025–Present· 1 yr 3 mos
- Independent DirectorCurrentJun 2025–Present
- May 2025–Present· 1 yr 4 mos
- Member Board of TrusteesCurrentMay 2025–Present
- Associated BankCurrentDec 2024–Present· 1 yr 9 mos
- Independent DirectorCurrentDec 2024–Present
- Jul 2021–Jun 2025· 3 yrs 11 mos
- Strategic AdvisorFeb 2025–Jun 2025
- Chief People OfficerJul 2021–2025
- Nov 2008–Jun 2021· 12 yrs 7 mos
- Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources OfficerJul 2018–Jun 2021
- Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications & Enterprise Services2018–Jun 2018
- Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources Business OperationsApr 2017–Dec 2017
- Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Chief Compliance OfficerApr 2015–Apr 2017
- Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Labor & Employment/HR Legal TeamJul 2010–Mar 2015
- Senior Counsel, LegalNov 2008–Jun 2010
- Feb 2008–Oct 2008· 8 mos
- Vice President and General CounselFeb 2008–Oct 2008
- Apr 2005–Feb 2008· 2 yrs 10 mos
- Legal CounselApr 2005–Feb 2008
- Mar 2004–Apr 2005· 1 yr 1 mo
- AttorneyMar 2004–Apr 2005
- Dec 2002–Mar 2004· 1 yr 3 mos
- Legal CounselDec 2002–Mar 2004
- Sep 1998–Nov 2002· 4 yrs 2 mos
- AttorneySep 1998–Nov 2002