KP Ponti is the CEO of Humankind, New Zealand’s leading People & Culture and Employee Experience agency, where she helps organisations design and scale workplaces where people thrive — and businesses perform. Before joining Humankind, KP was a Director at North American fashion retailer Aritzia LP, where she served on the Senior Leadership Team that led the company through its successful public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Her experience spans global leadership, growth strategy, and people transformation, with a focus on building cultures that are both highly human and commercially successful. As a member of the Global EX Council, KP continues to contribute to the evolution of employee experience thinking at a global level. Across every stage of growth, KP is driven by one simple principle: organisations that invest in humanity outperform those that don’t.
What happens when People leaders stop going it alone? In this panel, Ashleigh Loughnan, David Ky, KP Ponti, and Nic Hopkins share how external perspectives — fractional execs, coaches, operator-advisors, and agency partners — sharpen strategy, challenge assumptions, and unlock clarity. Ashleigh draws from her COO role at Hutly; David brings a systems lens from Airwallex; Nic shares lessons from scaling as a VP of People; and KP adds experience leading Humankind, advising organisations on how to scale humanity and performance side-by-side. Together, they explore how outside expertise helps founders and People leaders cut through complexity, avoid blind spots, and move with more confidence. This is a conversation for anyone feeling stuck in the weeds — and ready to see further.
With five tracks running across the first‑ever Startup People Summit, even the most committed note‑takers couldn’t catch it all live.
Now, you don’t have to miss a thing.
The SPS 2025 On‑Demand channel is ready. Packed with 40+ session recordings from every track, game‑changing ideas from all our speakers, and 12 months to watch, rewatch, and take notes at your own pace.
But SPS was never just an event. With the All Access Bundle, you’ll get everything in On‑Demand, plus join our new private SPS Community—a year‑round space where startup People professionals share challenges and wins in real time, swap fresh ideas and frameworks, collaborate on solutions, and know they’re not doing this work alone. Because the real value of SPS isn’t just in what we heard, it’s in what we can build together next.
Just a reminder: If you’re a Unicorn Pass holder, you already have On‑Demand and SPS Community access included. No need to purchase an add‑on — you’re already all set!
Get access to every single session recording from the summit—all five tracks, all speakers, all the insights. Learn on your schedule and replay your favourites any time over (and over again).
40+ session recordings from every track
12 months to watch, rewatch, and take notes at your own pace
The ultimate post-event pass. Unlock all session recordings and join our exclusive SPS Community. One year of growth, connection, and inspiration—on your terms.
40+ session recordings from every track
12 months to watch, rewatch, and take notes at your own pace
Private SPS Community for year‑round connection and support
Peer‑led advice and collaboration on real challenges
Ongoing ideas, resources, and opportunities to level‑up all year
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