Kim Sullivan‘s work has taken her from pharmaceuticals to education to IT and has seen her launch a wide range of initiatives.
One consistent theme throughout this journey has been transformation. As a business professional and problem solver, Sullivan has always focused on enabling growth and innovation while looking for ways to address employees’ challenges.
Sullivan cites one example from her career prior to Sitecore when she was Global Chief People Officer at an IT company with 300,000 employees in 23 countries. “I joined just as the pandemic began and had to solve many challenges, including ensuring people were cared for in global offices with different guidance and regulation around Covid-19,” she explains. “I also had to define how to communicate with employees to ensure that our company was doing everything possible to prioritise their mental health, wellbeing, and safety while continuing our hyper-growth.”
As Chief Human Resources Officer at digital experience software company Sitecore she has seen and addressed many more challenges in recent years. Sitecore was created by five friends in 2001 and the business is aimed at delivering a content management system and digital experience platform, that empowers marketers to deliver memorable and personalised online experiences. From humble beginnings the business is now a worldwide concern with international offices across the world including Australia, Netherlands and Sweden, Japan, the Middle East, and India as well as the UK and USA.
Evolving HR practices
According to Sullivan, professional challenges such as that have given her a unique perspective on how to understand the needs of organisations and evolve their HR practices. “I embrace change and like to think of myself as a ‘CHRO of the Future’,” she says, “especially when keeping pace with the ever-changing innovation at Sitecore. In fact, I came here because I wanted to help build a business that would significantly impact its customers and users in a technological space that touches every aspect of our lives.”
While having her work recognised officially through industry awards, Sullivan still says seeing her mother’s pride and excitement about my achievements gives her the greatest joy. For example, last year, she attained the huge achievement of being awarded as one of the Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine. The award itself was made all the more special as her proud mother shared the announcement with friends and family.
“In truth, though, awards reflect the amazing teams I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” says Sullivan. “People are the beating heart of every organisation, and I aim to continue creating a culture where employees can have fulfilling careers and grow. At the same time, diversity and inclusion is a significant priority that I work to nurture. This award reflects how organisations have embraced these values, and I’m proud to be recognised for my part in it.”
Sullivan was first introduced to HR by one of her teachers at college. The function came up under her Organisational Psychology class, which looked at the science behind human behaviour in the workplace. In addition to teaching, the tutor did HR consulting work, and invited Sullivan’s class to HR events, hosted by a national professional HR organisation. “Here I got a first taste of HR,” notes Sullivan. “Along the way, she mentored us on how we could add value to an organisation and the vital role HR plays in driving success in business.”
Sullivan has stayed in HR ever since.
