Nicole Grogan

As Chief People Officer at Intellectual Ventures (IV), Nicole Grogan brings a rare blend of global perspective, operational depth, and human-centered leadership to her role. With a career that spans continents and disciplines, Nicole has built a reputation for leading with curiosity, courage, and a deep belief in the power of people to drive business success.

Nicole’s path to HR leadership wasn’t linear. She began her academic journey at the College of William & Mary, studying international relations with dreams of law school and a passion for global experiences. From working for an artisan in Japan to road-tripping through France on a baguette budget, her early adventures shaped a worldview rooted in adaptability and resourcefulness. A chance, hallway conversation with an HR executive—who found her non-traditional resume to be very memorable—launched her into the field of human resources, where she quickly found her calling.

Nicole has held a wide range of roles across compensation, organizational development, and global HR strategy across her career. Her early mentor taught her that the roles that make you nervous are often the ones worth pursuing—a philosophy that’s guided her through bold career moves, including a transformative assignment in London supporting 15,000 employees across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

At IV, Nicole leads all facets of the people function—from benefits and compliance to learning and development and recruiting. She also serves as executive sponsor of the DEI Council and sits on the boards of Cintilight as well as IV’s spinout Echodyne. “It’s a scribble-outside-the-lines kind of HR job,” she says. “I get to understand the full lifecycle of our business and contribute in ways that go beyond traditional HR.”

Nicole’s leadership philosophy centers on trust, context, and collaboration. “My team knows their domains better than I do. My job is to provide clarity on what we’re solving for and then hopefully get out of the way,” she explains. She’s a connector at heart—always looking across departments and functions for points of intersection where alignment can unlock greater impact.

Outside of work, Nicole is deeply committed to community. She’s served on the board of Techbridge Girls for seven years, led the Susan G. Komen Foundation as board chair, and volunteers regularly at Recovery Café, where she bakes and serves coffee to those in recovery and experiencing homelessness. “It’s a way to connect with people and understand their stories,” she says. “It reminds me of what really matters.”

A lifelong learner, Nicole holds an MBA and a master’s in organizational development. She’s an avid reader, podcast listener, and member of the International Women’s Forum, where she recently spoke on a panel in Korea to 150 emerging women leaders. Her advice to aspiring leaders? “Build your personal board of directors. Find people who will tell you what you need to hear—not just what you want to hear. And, always stay curious.”