Heart-Driven HR: When Mission Meets Talent Management with Amy Kruglak

HRchat Podcast

What happens when HR strategy genuinely aligns with company mission? Amy Kruglak, the first VP of People at medical AI company Elucid, reveals the powerful impact of intentional employee experiences in this thought-provoking conversation.
After taking a post-COVID break to recharge from the exhaustion many HR leaders experienced, Amy found herself drawn to Elucid's mission of cardiovascular disease prevention—a cause deeply personal to her after losing her father to sudden cardiac disease. This alignment between personal values and organizational purpose forms the foundation of her approach to people leadership.
Working at the intersection of regulated medical technology and cutting-edge AI presents unique HR challenges. Amy details how she's navigated these complexities by immersing herself in the business fundamentals, developing specialized onboarding programs that help technical talent quickly understand Elucid's innovative products, and creating benefits that reflect the company's mission—like providing cardiac CT scans to all employees.
Throughout the conversation, Amy emphasizes that effective HR leadership requires both data mastery and human connection. "I'm kind of a data junkie," she admits, highlighting how metrics around hiring, compensation, and performance give her the credibility needed to partner strategically with business leaders. Yet she balances this analytical approach with a commitment to honest feedback and personalized employee experiences that simply aren't possible in larger organizations.
As Elucid celebrates reaching 100 employees, Amy offers advice for HR professionals stepping into executive roles: "Learn the business." Understanding how people drive organizational success transforms HR from a support function into a strategic powerhouse that directly impacts the bottom line.
Whether you're leading people operations in a regulated industry, navigating growth at a mission-driven company, or seeking to create more intentional employee experiences, Amy's insights provide a roadmap for elevating HR's impact. Subscribe to the HRchat Show for more conversations with innovative people leaders who are reshaping the future of work.

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Chapters

1. Welcome to the HR Chat Show (00:00:00)

2. Amy's Journey to Elucid (00:01:22)

3. Tailoring HR for Medical Technology (00:03:13)

4. Creating an Intentional Employee Experience (00:05:29)

5. Minimizing Bureaucracy in Growing Companies (00:08:06)

6. Leadership Development and Performance Management (00:10:27)

7. The Importance of People Data (00:13:20)

8. AI's Role in HR Functions (00:16:45)

9. Final Advice and Closing Thoughts (00:20:35)