Kristi Hess, SPHR, is the Vice President of Human Resources for KVC Health Systems, providing strategic and operational HR leadership that supports hospital operations and enterprise-wide workforce initiatives. Kristi’s role is dedicated to serving Camber Mental Health, our inpatient mental health hospital network and treatment centers, leading HR functions for 850 employees.

Kristi provides strategic HR leadership to the hospital and partners with hospital executives to anticipate workforce needs, improve retention, and strengthen onboarding and engagement outcomes, and overall organizational effectiveness.

With more than 25 years of human resources experience across diverse industries, Kristi is a relationship-focused leader who is passionate about creating workplaces where people can thrive. She has extensive experience partnering with executives to develop people strategies that strengthen organizational culture, support business goals and empower employees to do their best work. Before joining KVC, she supported a private family foundation in developing a comprehensive people strategy that enhanced recruitment, retention and employee engagement.

Kristi earned her degree from Baker University and holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential.

“For longer than I can remember, Human Resources has been more than my profession; it has been my purpose. What drives me is the opportunity to help people thrive while building workplaces where individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to do their best work. I believe that when organizations invest in their people with integrity, compassion and accountability, everyone succeeds. Being part of that impact, supporting employees, developing leaders, building partnerships and shaping positive workplace culture, is what continues to inspire me every day.” – Kristi Hess