Episode SummaryWhat happens when a burned-out social worker becomes a people-first HR leader at a fast-scaling tech company? In this episode of Built By People, host Dave D’Angelo sits down with Kristin Lewandowski, VP of Talent and Recruiting at Quantum Metric, to explore her unconventional journey from clinical psychology to building a talent strategy that helped scale a company from 40 employees to over 200 — and become a unicorn.

Kristin opens up about her early career in Medicaid services, her exploration through entrepreneurship and wine sales, and how those diverse experiences led her to find her true calling in recruiting. She shares a powerful career-defining moment that shifted her perspective on leadership, as well as the challenges of serving as interim Chief People Officer during a pivotal time for the company.

Whether you're navigating burnout, leading through hypergrowth, or wondering how to leave a meaningful legacy in HR, this episode offers real, reflective insights from someone who's been in the trenches — and is still building.

Key Timestamps

• [00:52] – Kristin's career journey: from clinical psychology to tech recruiting

• [01:49] – Landing at Quantum Metric and scaling the team during hypergrowth

• [04:17] – A defining moment at a company kickoff that changed everything

• [06:36] – Expanding her role: building culture beyond hiring

• [07:27] – Serving as interim Chief People Officer and the lessons learned

• [09:16] – The legacy she hopes to leave and what it means to be seen

• [10:23] – Why emotional resilience is key for HR professionals

Takeaways

• Follow curiosity, not just credentials — your “career tour” can lead to surprising clarity

• Recognize when a stretch role is a growth opportunity—and when it's time to realign

• Authenticity and empathy are leadership superpowers in talent and recruiting

• People-first HR starts with taking care of your own emotional bandwidth

• The best recruiters are believers — stay where you truly believe in the mission

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