HR Innovation: A conversation with Krystal Holmes, winner of the HR THRIVE Innovator Award

So as many of you know, in May of 2026, good leadership in partnership with Gallagher and Twin Cities Business, we hosted the first ever HR Thrive Awards.

And we had that at an event center here in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

It all started when a close friend of ours, whose name is Galsa Mattson with Gallagher, struck up a conversation with Jill Duvel and me about this idea.

And this idea was to uplift and celebrate HR leaders in the way other leaders have been celebrated for their impact on business.

And most people who pay attention know there are CEO awards, there are CFO awards, and other C-suite awards.

And Galslow was just really passionate about making sure we could bring this to life for HR leaders.

So my first question to you, Crystal, is when you heard about these awards, you know, what was your first impression and why did you think it was a good idea?

Yeah.

So I actually heard about the HR Thrive Awards at the announcement of it at an HR dinner that was hosted by Good Leadership.

Okay.

You know, what really resonated is the fact that there are just so many other awards for those that are involved in business strategy, but there really are not any for HR.

And when you think about it, HR generally owns the people strategy of it.

So, you know, just the idea that there's something out there to recognize HR leaders, I think just is amazing, especially because a lot of us HR leaders are the ones nominating people for these other awards.

So to get that recognition back is very nice.

Yeah.

And you just said the most simple way the other day there.

We think about businesses as people, process and technology.

And so it's about time we lift up the people.

Exactly.

Example.