Nokia has announced the appointment of Kristen Pressner as Chief People Officer and member of the Group Leadership Team, effective 1 May 2026. This strategic appointment highlights Nokia’s commitment to strengthening its global human resources capabilities and driving a transformative people-centric culture across the organization. Pressner’s role will be pivotal in supporting Nokia’s evolution in the era of AI, cloud, and next-generation networks.
Kristen Pressner brings over 30 years of international experience in HR, talent management, and organizational transformation. She joins Nokia from Roche Holding Group, where she served as Global Head of People & Culture for Roche Diagnostics. During her tenure, she led initiatives to strengthen leadership, evolve operating models, and cultivate a culture that fosters innovation while driving tangible business results. Her experience spans across global technology and healthcare environments, including previous HR leadership roles at Texas Instruments.
Nokia President and CEO, Justin Hotard, emphasized that Pressner will lead the company’s cultural evolution toward an AI-empowered, united team focused on delivering exceptional results for customers. Her leadership is expected to enhance empowerment, accountability, and a customer-first mindset across Nokia’s global operations. This appointment comes at a time when the company is embracing the AI supercycle and accelerating opportunities in advanced and trusted connectivity.
In her statement, Kristen Pressner expressed enthusiasm for joining Nokia at a transformative stage. She highlighted the central role of people in driving innovation and success, noting that creativity, courage, and collaboration will be key to Nokia’s continued growth. Pressner’s leadership will aim to unlock the full potential of Nokia’s teams worldwide, fostering a culture that enables both personal and organizational excellence.
Based in Finland, Pressner will report directly to Nokia’s CEO and will be integral to shaping the company’s future people strategies. Her appointment signals a strengthened focus on global HR transformation, cultural evolution, and capability building, reinforcing Nokia’s position as a leading technology innovator. Under her guidance, the company is set to advance its mission of connecting the world through people, innovation, and technology.
