
Leading 60,000 people: A Blueprint For Female Leadership In Global Business || Kristy Whitehurst
From Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw by Laurie McGraw
February 17, 2026 · 21 min
About this episode
Kristy Whitehurst shares her journey and insights on leading employee benefits for a global workforce of 60,000, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and data-driven leadership.
"When you do your homework... when you can speak to the facts... they stop and they listen." In this episode of Inspiring Women, Laurie McGraw sits down with Kristy Whitehurst, the powerhouse behind the employee benefits strategy at Genuine Parts Company (GPC). Managing the well-being of over 60,000 members across a global landscape is no small feat, yet Kristy has navigated this complex "puzzle" for over two decades. Kristy opens up about her unconventional start—from a degree in dietetics to becoming a leading voice in HR. She shares the raw reality of rising through the ranks in a male-dominated industry, the nerve-wracking moment of her first executive presentation, and why "owning your mistakes" is the ultimate catalyst for growth. Whether you are looking to scale the corporate ladder, master the art of data-driven persuasion, or find the balance between professional passion and personal life, Kristy’s "Maiden Voyage" into the podcast world provides a blueprint for sustainable, high-impact leadership. In this episode, we discuss: The strategy of managing benefits for a global workforce of 60,000+. How to command respect and "stop the room" in male-dominated boardrooms. The…
People in this episode
Host: Laurie McGraw
Guest: Kristy Whitehurst
Topics covered
- female leadership
- employee benefits
- HR strategies
- corporate evolution
- mentorship
- data-driven decision making
Keywords
- leadership
- employee benefits
- HR
- corporate strategy
- mentorship
- data-driven
- global workforce
- female empowerment
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Genuine Parts Company
More episodes of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw
- Women get Less Than 2% Of Funding, but This is the HACK! - Dr. Amber Hill · June 9, 2026 · 33 min
- The Hidden Disease 40% Of Americans Are Living - Alexandra Drane · June 2, 2026 · 28 min
- The Microsoft Health & Life Sciences COO: The AI Quietly Rewiring Healthcare · May 26, 2026 · 28 min
- The Lie That Held A Generation Of Women Back - Dr. Veronica Mallett · May 20, 2026 · 27 min
- Why Only 2% of VC Goes to Women! · May 12, 2026 · 35 min
- Stop Waiting To Be Invited Into The Boardroom - Meme Stokes Callnin · May 6, 2026 · 22 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw podcast page.