Leading 60,000 people: A Blueprint For Female Leadership In Global Business || Kristy Whitehurst

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

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