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Crack the Hatch, Bring a Chair, Know the Numbers: HR That Wins
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with L. David Kingsley (LDK), Chief People Officer at Illumio, to talk about what it really takes for HR to operate like a business partner—not a back-office function. Drawing on experience from Accenture to the Navy Reserve to scaling global orgs, LDK breaks down how HR teams can earn their place at the table through authenticity, numeracy, and a relentless focus on enabling the business.
Topics Discussed:
Why HR needs to think like consultants—and act like owners
The “value continuum” from necessary evil to trusted advisor
What makes a people team M&A-ready (or not)
How AI, belonging, and metrics shape the future of HR
And more!
If you’re leading a people team or want to, this one’s for you.
Additional Resources:
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with L. David Kingsley (LDK), Chief People Officer at Illumio, to talk about what it really takes for HR to operate like a business partner—not a back-office function. Drawing on experience from Accenture to the Navy Reserve to scaling global orgs, LDK breaks down how HR teams can earn their place at the table through authenticity, numeracy, and a relentless focus on enabling the business.
Topics Discussed:
Why HR needs to think like consultants—and act like owners
The “value continuum” from necessary evil to trusted advisor
What makes a people team M&A-ready (or not)
How AI, belonging, and metrics shape the future of HR
And more!
If you’re leading a people team or want to, this one’s for you.
Additional Resources:
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with L. David Kingsley (LDK), Chief People Officer at Illumio, to talk about what it really takes for HR to operate like a business partner—not a back-office function. Drawing on experience from Accenture to the Navy Reserve to scaling global orgs, LDK breaks down how HR teams can earn their place at the table through authenticity, numeracy, and a relentless focus on enabling the business.
Topics Discussed:
Why HR needs to think like consultants—and act like owners
The “value continuum” from necessary evil to trusted advisor
What makes a people team M&A-ready (or not)
How AI, belonging, and metrics shape the future of HR
And more!
If you’re leading a people team or want to, this one’s for you.
Additional Resources:

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About the guest
About the guest

L. David Kingsley (LDK)
L. David Kingsley (LDK) is a veteran HR leader with over two decades of experience shaping people strategies at high-growth companies and global enterprises. Currently Chief People Officer at Illumio, LDK has also served as CPO at Intercom, Alteryx, and Vlocity (acquired by Salesforce), where he led teams through IPO readiness, M&A, and cultural transformation. With roots in management consulting at Accenture and Booz Allen, and a service background in the U.S. Navy Reserve, he brings a unique lens to talent, culture, and business alignment. LDK also sits on the board at Nivati and advises Founders Circle Capital, helping scale companies through late-stage growth.
L. David Kingsley (LDK) is a veteran HR leader with over two decades of experience shaping people strategies at high-growth companies and global enterprises. Currently Chief People Officer at Illumio, LDK has also served as CPO at Intercom, Alteryx, and Vlocity (acquired by Salesforce), where he led teams through IPO readiness, M&A, and cultural transformation. With roots in management consulting at Accenture and Booz Allen, and a service background in the U.S. Navy Reserve, he brings a unique lens to talent, culture, and business alignment. LDK also sits on the board at Nivati and advises Founders Circle Capital, helping scale companies through late-stage growth.
L. David Kingsley (LDK) is a veteran HR leader with over two decades of experience shaping people strategies at high-growth companies and global enterprises. Currently Chief People Officer at Illumio, LDK has also served as CPO at Intercom, Alteryx, and Vlocity (acquired by Salesforce), where he led teams through IPO readiness, M&A, and cultural transformation. With roots in management consulting at Accenture and Booz Allen, and a service background in the U.S. Navy Reserve, he brings a unique lens to talent, culture, and business alignment. LDK also sits on the board at Nivati and advises Founders Circle Capital, helping scale companies through late-stage growth.


The leading podcast for the future of HR
The leading podcast for the future of HR
The leading podcast for the future of HR
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.