Governing Body Spotlight

Stephany Foster is the Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President at QIAGEN, a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics. With over 20 years of executive experience spanning human resources, internal audit, and corporate governance, Stephany is recognized for driving organizational transformation and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Stephany’s expertise in executive compensation, risk management, and accounting is complemented by her prior board experience at OncoSec Medical and her early career at PwC.

 A fun fact about Stephany is she is a die hard sports fan!  She especially loves March Madness and Notre Dame Football!

Learn more about the Washington, DC CHRO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

My path to HR is not the typical one. I began my career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), specializing in internal audit, IT systems and risk management with a focus on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. I joined QIAGEN in 2005, initially serving as Global Head of Internal Audit for 15 years.  My transition to HR began with taking the global lead for Women in Leadership and then I moved into human resources with my background in accounting as Vice President, Head of Compensation & Benefits before being asked to take on my current role as Global Head of HR during a CEO transition.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Fairness and transparency guide my leadership. I strive to create an environment where decisions are transparent, opportunities are equitable, and every voice is valued. When leaders champion fairness and inclusion, they build trust and empower people to thrive.
 

What is the greatest challenge CHROs face today, and how are you addressing it?

The greatest challenge facing my role as Chief Human Resources Officer today is the accelerating speed of change—and helping people across the organization learn how to manage and adapt to it. In a rapidly evolving business environment, anticipating new challenges and ensuring that both leaders and associates are equipped to pivot and grow is more critical than ever.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CHRO?

Success in a CHRO role starts with building relationships across the company and truly listening to people at every level. By engaging openly, fostering trust, and collaborating across functions, you create the foundation for impactful leadership and lasting organizational growth.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

Success as a leader is measured by your ability to empower your team to feel like key drivers of the organization’s journey, not just passengers. It’s less about perfection and more about fostering engagement, ownership, and shared achievement.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

The value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities is the opportunity to learn from peers who are often facing the same challenges, and to realize you are not alone in navigating complex issues. These communities provide a trusted space to exchange insights, validate strategies, and build relationships with leaders who truly understand your day-to-day realities.
 

Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.