Meet Our Leaders: Kristen Richardson, CHRO

At GovSpend, progress starts with the decisions and direction of our leadership team—those setting the vision, shaping our strategy, and ensuring we build solutions that truly serve our users. Meet Our Leaders features interviews with our executive team and department heads, offering insight into how they’re guiding our growth and helping us deliver smarter, more impactful solutions for the public sector.

The second interview of our series highlights Kristen Richardson, our Chief Human Resources Officer who has been steering people operations at GovSpend for almost 10 years. A proud mother to her daughter and the eldest of four siblings, she values close-knit family bonds and cherishes spending quality time with her loved ones. Her family-oriented nature drives her commitment to building meaningful relationships both personally and professionally. As CHRO, she plays a key role in shaping the people and culture at GovSpend—ensuring the team behind the platform is just as innovative, collaborative, and customer-focused as the solutions they build.

I have always been passionate about supporting people and fostering their growth. While a career in HR wasn’t my original plan—I initially aspired to become a teacher—I discovered my interest in HR when I stepped into an administrative role. That opportunity opened the door to HR, and from that moment on, I knew this was what I was supposed to do.

I am excited about our Employee Engagement and Experience Strategy. This strategy isn’t new but continues to improve over time. Our strategy promotes a culture where individuals feel valued, connected, and empowered to contribute. It supports key objectives by improving employee satisfaction, retention, and overall performance.

I work closely with our Executive Team and Senior Leaders to ensure that HR initiatives directly support our strategy. I also use data and feedback to identify gaps and opportunities, and then customize HR programs that drive performance and employee engagement. I am a big believer that communication and collaboration across departments are needed to ensure that HR remains a proactive and strategic partner to the organization.

Staying ahead in HR requires a commitment to continuous learning and strategic awareness. I regularly engage with reputable HR publications, legal updates, and professional HR associations to stay up to date with employment law and workplace policy changes. I also attend relevant webinars to stay current on compliance-related issues.

I often evaluate our internal HR practices to identify opportunities to integrate new tools or adapt to regulatory changes. I want to ensure that our strategies are not only compliant but also forward-thinking and aligned with company goals.

“The Power of Positive Leadership” is a book I read early in my career, and I’m currently revisiting it. It had a significant impact on my understanding of the importance of building a strong organizational culture and sustaining it.

I also listen to Simon Sinek’s podcast, A Bit of Optimism. Each episode features insightful topics with a variety of different guests, offering meaningful perspectives and practical takeaways.

I have great admiration for Audrey Hepburn. Her life story is inspiring. Having endured the hardships of World War II, she rose to fame as an actress, a fashion icon, and a dedicated humanitarian.

Trust the process. It’s there for a reason.

The qualities I value most within my team are trust, teamwork, and communication. To foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, I aim to create an environment where my team feels empowered and valued. We share ideas, challenge one another, set goals, and problem-solve.

It may sound cliché, but spending time with family and friends truly recharges me. If I’m not with them, I am working out, cleaning, or baking sourdough!  

I have a passion for travel that feeds my curiosity about the world, yet I find equal fulfillment in the comfort of home, especially while cooking.

My grandpa. He was my mentor and one of the most influential people in my life. His wisdom and intentional approach to everything he did left a lasting impact. He instilled in me the importance of hard work and the value of appreciating life.