Kristen Pressner to join Nokia as Chief People Officer

In her new role, Pressner brings more than three decades of global experience in HR, talent development, and organizational transformation. She most recently served Roche Group as Global Head of People & Culture for Roche Diagnostics, playing a pivotal role in strengthening leadership capabilities, evolving the operating model, and nurturing a culture built to accelerate innovation and business impact. 

Before Roche Group, she worked with Texas Instruments for over a decade holding key HR leadership roles. She focused on Group’s culture-building and capability transformation within fast-moving technology environments. 

Pressner will be based in Finland and will report directly to Nokia’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Justin Hotard. Welcoming her to the company, Hotard said, “I am thrilled to welcome Kristen to Team Nokia as we work together to build a culture of empowerment, accountability, and a customer-first mindset to increase focus and improve performance across our business. 

Kristen brings a wealth of experience in driving transformation through business. She will lead our cultural evolution toward an AI-empowered, united team, focused on delivering for our customers and seizing the opportunities the AI supercycle is creating for advanced and trusted connectivity.” 

Pressner also shared, “This is an incredibly exciting time to join Nokia. The company is transforming for the era of AI, cloud, and next-generation networks and at the center of that transformation are its people. Nokia’s success depends on the creativity, courage, and collaboration of its teams around the world, and I’m inspired by the opportunity to play a key role in unleashing that potential. As a global technology leader with a remarkable heritage and a bold future, Nokia is poised to shape the next chapter of connectivity and I can’t wait to be part of that journey.” 

Adding about her exit from Roche: “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues at Roche. The last 20 years have shaped me in meaningful ways, both personally and professionally. I have had the privilege of working with outstanding leaders and teams who care deeply about patients, science, and impact. It has been a place of growth, collaboration, support, and purpose, and I will carry that with me in gratitude.” 

On the academic front, Pressner holds an MBA in International HR Management from the University of Dallas and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.