Power of Partnership: A Conversation with WW CEO and CPO on the Strategic Importance of HR
Having the right strategy in place can ignite changes needed to drive the business forward while creating a workplace where employees and employers both thrive. It’s no coincidence that the most successful organizations have an HR or People partner at the table for strategy discussion, planning and decision-making. During this engaging session, you’ll hear how one such successful organization’s head of People works in tandem with their leadership team to engineer organizational success and achieve goals. WW’s CEO Mindy Grossman, a two-time Financial Times’ top 50 women in world business and one of Forbes' 100 most powerful women, will be joined by WW’s CPO Kim Seymour, a 20+ year HR veteran, to discuss the strategic importance of HR and how people can be linked to business results.
Be empowered by their partnership and learn how you can position—or further establish—HR as a true partner in your own organization. Mindy will offer fresh insights on the talent and organizational thoughts that keep CEOs up at night, and Kim will share ideas that can make a real impact. This dynamic duo will leave you with new ideas and actionable learnings that you can take back and apply to your own organization.
Mindy Grossman
Mindy Grossman, 62, has served as a director and President and CEO of WW (NASDAQ: WW) since July 2017. Grossman has more than 38 years of experience in building and transforming consumer brands.
Prior to joining WW, she served as Chief Executive Officer of HSN, Inc. and a member of the company’s Board of Directors from 2008 to 2017. She oversaw a $4 billion direct to consumer retail portfolio that included HSN and the Cornerstone portfolio of home and family lifestyle brands.
During her tenure, she positioned HSNi as a leader in boundaryless retail, offering customers a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels – television, catalogue, online and mobile. As a result, more than half of the company’s revenue was generated through digital commerce.
A 38-year veteran of the retail and apparel industries, Grossman joined IAC, HSNi’s former parent company, in 2006 as CEO of IAC Retail. In 2008, she took the company public and became the CEO of HSNi. She transformed HSN into a lifestyle network offering an exciting array of products, personalities and experiences designed to engage, inform and entertain. She pioneered visionary, industry-changing innovations, such as Shop by Remote, HSN Arcade and HSN Live, and formed unique partnerships with brands such as Disney, Ford and Universal. She also reshaped the Cornerstone Brands portfolio by spearheading the digital transformation of the catalogue business.
Prior to joining IAC, she served as a Global Vice President at Nike, Inc., overseeing its $4 billion apparel business. At Nike, she led the development and growth of the global women's business and served as co-chair of Nike’s Women's Leadership Council. Earlier career highlights include serving as President and CEO of Polo Jeans Company, Vice President of New Business Development at Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, President of Chaps Ralph Lauren, and Senior Vice President of Menswear for Warnaco, Inc. She also held senior positions at Tommy Hilfiger and Oxford Industries.
In October 2018, Grossman was named to TIME Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Health Care 2018. In 2014, Grossman was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business and Fortune’s Business Person of the Year. In 2013, Forbes magazine named Grossman one of the world’s 100 most powerful women, an honor she has received four times. In 2011, she was named Corporate Innovator of the Year at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® Florida Awards. In both 2010 and 2011, Grossman was ranked by the Financial Times as one of the top 50 women in world business.
Grossman serves as Vice Chairman for UNICEF USA and is a member of the Board of Directors of Fanatics, Inc.
Kim Seymour
Kim Seymour is a trusted advisor and thought partner and has successfully built world-class business teams across different industries, functions, geographies and environments. She is a leader with people operations expertise and ensures that the employee side of the business equation enables execution of business strategic objectives. With 20+ years managing human resources from revenue generating commercial businesses to vast global servicing organizations, Kim has a demonstrated ability to architect transformation, forge connections, deliver insights and link talent to strategy.
Kim wholeheartedly believes that talent, leadership and culture are the keys to successful businesses. Therefore she focuses on the quality of the talent in the business, the culture being created, the effectiveness of programs and policies, workforce dynamics, change strategy and inclusive leadership, among other key levers. A lifelong curiosity about what makes people join, perform, contribute, stay and elevate has made her a valued partner to senior leaders who understand that strong talent and the right culture are the ultimate competitive advantages.
Kim's expertise is rooted in strong business acumen and forward-thinking HR strategies in the areas of talent assessment, succession planning, organizational design, performance management, labor relations, benefits, acquisitions, divestitures and coaching. Kim is often asked to speak to a variety of audiences globally on all of these topics as well as her personal leadership philosophies.
Kim joined WW as Chief People Officer in April 2019 to lead WW's global strategy in all areas that impact the company's workforce. She oversees all aspects of the company's human capital plan, with strong emphasis on talent, leadership, diversity and organizational effectiveness.
Prior to joining WW, Kim spent a decade at American Express, most recently as Senior Vice President of Human Resources, where she developed and delivered impactful human capital strategies. Prior to American Express, Kim held successively progressive roles at Home Depot and General Electric.
Kim currently serves on the Board of Directors of RHR International, a global consulting firm whose mission is to unlock potential in leaders.