For more than 25 years, Columbia University School of Professional Studies’ Human Capital Management Lecturer Jill Larsen has established herself as a leading voice in the digital transformation of Human Resources, earning acclaim and accolades along the way. Through her tenure at global technology and life sciences companies, Jill has been at the Human Resources helm as companies she helped lead landed on Fortune’s Great Places to Work list (Medidata) and earned dozens of awards for social media and brand engagement (Cisco Systems).
At the start of the new year, Jill took on a new position. As Chief People Officer at Boston-based public technology company, PTC, Jill leads an international People Team of over 100 to support a global employee body of 6,500. “In the 35 year history of the company,” which nets over $1B in revenue, “this is the first time the top HR role has reported into the CEO,” she explains.
However, in the midst of settling into her new role, outside factors intervened; COVID-19 prompted an unexpected pivot. “I was only 5 weeks in the office at PTC before everything went virtual,” says Jill. Focusing on how to move PTC’s workforce to a virtual model meant focusing on the people and jobs. “It required leading with empathy. We have offered a number of benefits to allow for better flexibility and mental health and wellness support for our employees.”
In addition to negotiating a people-first approach to remote work during the pandemic, Jill is also overseeing her new company’s response to issues around race, gender and social justice, both of which Jill says “have had a profound impact on our employees.” The national conversation has “accelerated our work on inclusion, emotional wellness, and learning and development. It has quickly become a top company priority and focus of my work.”
The national conversation has accelerated our work on inclusion, emotional wellness, and learning and development. It has quickly become a top company priority.
— Jill Larsen, Lecturer, Human Capital Management
Undoubtedly, Jill will bring her learnings over the last six months to her role as a Lecturer for Columbia University’s Human Capital Management program. As an industry leader with extensive experience, “it’s easy to weave in current affairs into the curriculum,” Jill explains. “We include practitioners as part of our teaching so students can see the HCM work in action.” The personal focus Jill has brought to PTC’s remote workplace will carry through to her virtual classroom this fall. What will students have to look forward to? “There’s a lot of collaboration, open discussion and we will have fun."
Learn more about the M.S in Human Capital Management program.
