Name: Erin Wright
Company or Organization: Kinexus Group
What is your job or role there? Chief People Officer
Where do you live? St. Joseph, Michigan
How do you think that Bold Women of Business demonstrate being bold?
Bold Women of Business show their strength through action. Being bold is about staying true to yourself, even when the path isn’t easy. Bold women lead with purpose, lift others up and know that real impact happens through partnership. By working alongside others, bold women foster trust, exemplify confidence and drive collective success.
Bold women are often defined by a number of descriptors. What top three would say most exemplify your personality?
Confident
Fearless
Strong
Please provide an example of when you feel you were at your very best in taking action on the job or in your role.
In my role, I recognize that every decision made has a direct impact on people. A recent example could be during Kinexus Group’s acquisition of an HR consulting firm. Early in the process, it became evident that without deliberate and thoughtful action, employee uncertainty could quickly escalate and affect engagement. I prioritized spending time listening to individuals across the new organization to understand their perspectives and concerns. Building these relationships was critical to gaining insight into the unique culture and dynamics at play. At the same time, we worked to align leadership teams from both organizations to ensure consistent communication and a unified approach throughout the transition. This experience reinforced the importance of having a deep understanding of people’s needs, paired with decisive and empathetic leadership.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened on your road to success?
I am still on my road to success and am thankful that the people I get to work with every day bring humor to the workplace. In looking back, I have always had co-workers surrounding me that allowed me to be myself…and that leads to many funny stories over the years. I do remember my first time presenting in front of the Kinexus Group team (roughly 90 employees at the time) and I could not remember my bosses name. I did call myself out and said “I am looking at you and I cannot remember your name!” Not only did I start laughing the entire group started laughing.
Who most inspires your personal drive for success every day?
This has certainly changed over the years. Right now, my drive for success is inspired by my three daughters. As their mom, I feel a deep responsibility to show them what it looks like to work hard. I want them to grow into strong, fearless women who believe in themselves and know they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
What is your best advice to women in Southwest Michigan looking to succeed, as you have, in business?
1. Stay true to who you are. Authenticity builds trust. 2. Treat people well. How you treat others will define your leadership. 3. No one succeeds alone. Support others and be comfortable asking for help. Collaboration creates momentum. 4. Keep learning. Staying curious leads to continues growth.
What does your selection to the ranks of the Bold Women of Business from Moody on the Market mean to you?
Being selected for Bold Women of Business is an honor. It’s a recognition of the people who have believed in me, challenged me and stood beside me through every step of this journey. This recognition encourages me to keep going and to create space for others to do the same. I’m even more motivated to continue building, learning and helping others on their journeys.
