For Joanna Kmiec, HR plays a central role in linking people, technology and innovation to business outcomes. As chief people officer at Loopio, a Toronto-based company that provides a RFP response management platform, she is focused on aligning talent strategy with growth objectives while building systems and leadership capabilities that can scale with the company.
Drawing on more than two decades of experience in high-growth global organizations, Kmiec discusses how HR can support expansion, the leadership qualities needed in a period of change and how the CPO role continues to evolve.
Loopio’s next phase brings people, innovation and AI technology closer than ever. How do you see HR driving that connection, and what are your top priorities as you prepare the company for its next stage of growth and scale?
HR is really at the heart of connecting people, technology and innovation. At Loopio, we see employee experience and our technology as deeply intertwined. When we design our processes and tools thoughtfully, we help our Loopers work smarter, collaborate more effectively and focus on the things that truly drive impact.
As we step into this next phase of growth, my top priorities are aligning our people strategy with our business objectives, scaling our culture across different geographies and building systems that attract, retain and develop top talent. I like to think of our programs like products. We design them, test them, iterate and measure them to make sure they meet the evolving needs of both our employees and the business.
Leadership development is a major focus for Loopio. What kind of leaders does the company need right now, and how are you helping them guide their teams through growth and change?
At Loopio, we need to develop leaders who are strategic, adaptable and empathetic, who can keep pace with a high-growth company while inspiring their teams. Our focus is on helping leaders balance delivering results with coaching, mentoring and supporting their teams. To do this, we provide clear priorities, targeted development programs and coaching opportunities that help leaders grow alongside their teams.
My global experience has shown me that leadership development needs to be both scalable and authentic. At Loopio, we’re committed to cultivating leaders who can guide change effectively while fostering engagement, collaboration and accountability as the company continues to grow.
You have led people strategy across several high-growth tech organizations. Which experiences have most shaped how you lead today, and how are they guiding your vision for Loopio’s people and culture strategy?
Leading people strategy in high-growth, global organizations has taught me that integration with business strategy is critical. I’ve learned that it’s possible to build scalable processes while keeping the human side front and center, making sure that culture travels with our teams as they expand across North America, Europe and APAC.
At Loopio, these experiences guide everything we do in people and culture. We intentionally design the experience for our Loopers at every stage, from hiring to development to retention, and we make sure our processes reinforce our values.
We also prioritize measurement and iteration. We listen, we adapt and we evolve as the company grows. Over my career, I’ve seen that culture and employee experience are the ultimate competitive advantage, and that principle drives our work at Loopio every day.
The chief people officer role is evolving rapidly as HR becomes more integrated into business strategy. How do you see the role of evolving over the next five years and what does success look like for you as Loopio’s CPO?
I see the CPO role continuing to become more strategic and business-critical. It’s about shaping growth, culture and innovation, not just managing programs or processes. Success will increasingly be measured by the impact HR has on business outcomes.
For me, success at Loopio means creating an environment where Loopers feel supported, inspired and empowered to do their best work. It’s about helping leaders grow, fostering a culture that scales with the business, and using technology thoughtfully to strengthen connections rather than replace them.
Throughout my career, I’ve championed integrating talent, technology and culture, and at Loopio, that philosophy drives how we build a workplace where people thrive and the business outperforms.
