Kristen Witte
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Dynamic talent development leader with a proven track record at American Tire Distributors, driving impactful leadership initiatives and enhancing engagement. Expert in change management and coaching, I successfully implemented a data-driven talent strategy, resulting in significant improvements in talent metrics and a robust senior leader pipeline. Passionate about fostering inclusive cultures and team growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr. Director of Talent & Leadership Development
American Tire Distributors
Huntersville, NC
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Led a team to design and execute a skills-based, data-driven Talent Strategy enabled by Workday.
- Key accomplishments included: Partnered with HR and Total Rewards to build a scalable job architecture by aligning and rationalizing 1,600 jobs—establishing clear job families, levels, and associated skills/competencies.
- Implemented a Korn Ferry assessment process for 1,600 associates to support talent management and development efforts; also facilitated leadership training to embed the new tools and processes.
- Developed a selection process grounded in analytics, leading to year-over-year improvements in talent metrics (2023–2024) across functions; and consulted on critical senior leader hiring decisions.
- Served as an internal leadership coach for executive to mid-level leaders, supporting their growth and effectiveness.
- Shaped executive presentations for both field and corporate leaders to align with and advance functional talent strategies.
- Developed a leadership competency framework grounded in talent insights, which guided the direction of development curriculum and was integrated into talent processes.
Director of Leadership Development
American Tire Distributors
Huntersville, NC
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Led leadership development initiatives to develop skills, elevate engagement and build senior leader pipeline.
- Engagement increased 5 points for 3 progressive years.
- Partnered with Center for Intentional Leadership to create a high-performance coaching program contributing to 11 of 13 leaders promoted.
- Built and facilitated leadership team workshops (Growth Mindset, Emotional Intelligence).
- Coached leaders on ongoing team development.
- Led build/buy decision, scaled and facilitated leadership curriculum virtually and in person to small groups - 200 participants.
- Curriculum included: Leading Talent & Culture, Emotional intelligence, Coaching & Feedback Skills, Purpose & Values Driven leadership, Situational leadership, Resilience.
- Curated leadership micro-learning to educate on DEI/inclusive behaviors. Achieved 80%+ participation rates and 15% knowledge growth.
Organizational Development Lead, Talent COE
Cargill
Minneapolis, MN
01.2010 - 01.2017
- Partnered with Business Unit leaders and served the Executive team to improve effectiveness, develop leaders and enable change for the organization.
- Representative work: Designed and implemented a new transportation business model including change management and developing the leadership team.
- Partnered with Darden Executive Education to design and facilitate Award- Winning Global Leadership Forum for Top 300 Executives.
- Coached C-Suite leaders on their roles.
- Managed, coached faculty and facilitated 'Transitioning to Leadership' a 9-month high-potential global leadership program to feed senior leader roles.
- Coached participants on development progress.
Program Director & Change Management Lead
Best Buy
Minneapolis, MN
01.2000 - 01.2009
- Defined change management approach and hired first change management team.
- Integrated methodology with program management to achieve consistent success on program delivery.
- Led Change Management for large-scale retail technology implementation across the organization / network of retail stores.
- Received Change Management Leadership award for program success.
- Led cross-functional program to create first Best Buy sustainability program –National recycling program for 900+ stores.
- Program remains in place.
- Business team coach for new organization delivery model, Process to Profits, which integrated teams cross-functionally via common process.
Education
PHD COURSEWORK - Human & Organizational Development
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MNMASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - Health Education & Behavior
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MIBACHELOR OF ARTS - Economics & Management
Albion College
Albion, MISkills
- Leadership development and coaching
- Talent strategy and assessment
- Organizational design
- Change management
- Culture building and engagement
- Facilitation skills
- Training design and delivery
- Communication strategy
- Team development and leadership
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Program management
Websites
Certification
- INTERNATIONAL COACHING FEDERATION, ACC Credential
- Hudson Coaching Inst., Certified
Emotional Intelligence Coach
EQi 2.0 assessment
Corporate Athlete Energy Management
Human Performance Institute, Johnson & Johnson
Team Performance
Interaction Effectiveness & Belbin Team Roles
Community Service
- MBA STUDENT COACH, Queens College, 01/01/22, current
- BOARD OFFICER, Friends of Fourth Ward, Green Team Lead, 01/01/22, current
- FIGHT FOR AIR CLIMB FUND RAISER/COMPETITOR, American Lung Association, 01/01/11, 01/01/25
- NIA INSTRUCTOR, Integrative fitness classes, 01/01/09, 01/01/19
- EVENT MANAGER/MOCA, MN Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Minneapolis, MN, 01/01/10, 01/01/12
Leadership Assessments
- Korn Ferry Leadership and 360
- The Leadership Circle
- MBTI
- Birkman
Professional Development
- Culture of Accountability, Culture Partners, Huntersville, NC, 01/01/22, 01/01/23
- Foundations of Positive Psychology Certificate, University of Pennsylvania, 01/01/21, 01/01/21
- Facilitator of Situational Leadership scaled leader program, American Tire Distributors, Center for Leadership Studies, Cary, NC, 01/01/18, 01/01/20
- Coaches Training Institute (CTI) / Internal Coach Training, Cargill, Minneapolis, MN, 01/01/14, 01/01/15
Timeline
Sr. Director of Talent & Leadership Development
American Tire Distributors
01.2023 - 01.2025
Director of Leadership Development
American Tire Distributors
01.2018 - 01.2023
Organizational Development Lead, Talent COE
Cargill
01.2010 - 01.2017
Program Director & Change Management Lead
Best Buy
01.2000 - 01.2009
PHD COURSEWORK - Human & Organizational Development
University of Minnesota
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - Health Education & Behavior
University of Michigan
BACHELOR OF ARTS - Economics & Management
Albion College
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