New CEO Announced
September 04, 2018
HR Tech Group announces that its Board of Directors has selected Stephanie Hollingshead to serve as the association’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective today. Allison Rutherford, who founded HR Tech Group more than 25 years ago, is retiring to spend more time with her family. Rutherford will remain as a member of the Board of Directors.
“I am thrilled to pass the baton to Stephanie Hollingshead, she has been a long-time supporter of HR Tech Group and shares our passion for helping HR practitioners succeed,” said Allison Rutherford, Board Member, HR Tech Group. “I am immensely proud of what HR Tech Group has become and we are confident that Stephanie’s leadership will magnify the positive impact our association has had on both individuals and technology companies in BC.”
Hollingshead was most recently the Vice President of Human Resources at Sierra Systems, where she served in a leadership capacity since 2005. She has worked her entire career in the technology sector and is keenly aware of the opportunities and challenges faced by tech-focused HR professionals. She previously served as the Chair of HR Tech Group’s Steering Committee from 2007 - 2009 and has worked on various committees and conferences for the association. In addition to her professional experience, Hollingshead has extensive experience working with not-for-profit organizations, including currently serving as the Board Chair of Big
Brothers of Greater Vancouver and as a Board Director for Chartered Professionals in Human Resources, British Columbia and Yukon.
“As a HR professional in the tech world, I truly understand the impact HR Tech Group has made in the industry and I am excited to serve as the CEO of this important association,” said Stephanie Hollingshead, CEO of HR Tech Group. “As tech industries continue to grow and change in British Columbia, and across Canada, access to information is going to be increasingly vital to these companies’ success. The work that HR Tech Group does will help companies ensure they are up to speed on best practices and in turn remain competitive.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Rutherford will remain on the HR Tech Group Board of Directors. As the founder of the association, she has been responsible for HR Tech Group’s evolution into an association that has encouraged BC tech companies’ growth over the last 25 years by providing a network for HR practitioners to learn and exchange information. In her role she also worked with the government to change the Employment Standards Act Regulations for BC tech companies.
With Hollingshead at the helm, HR Tech Group will continue to serve the more than 150
technology companies in BC in all sectors, including digital media, ICT, clean tech, VFX/film, life sciences and the more than 600 individual HR practitioners who work at those companies. The association will remain dedicated to providing education, networking and mentoring to HR leaders in tech companies. HR Tech Group will also continue to produce the reports and surveys their members depend on, like the recent report “Diversity & Inclusion in the BC Tech Sector.”
To read more about Stephanie and the other HR Tech Group Steering Committee members click here.