In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how Dr. Kim Nugent, the Director of Talent and Organizational Development at Harris Health System, embarked on her path to success in the world of leadership and organizational development. Join us as Kim shares her experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided her along the way. Discover what sets Harris Health System apart from other organizations, how Kim navigated the challenges of the evolving workplace landscape, and her aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by Kim’s journey as a leader and her relentless pursuit of excellence in talent and organizational development.
Introduction and Career Path
Dr. Kim Nugent is the Director of Talent and Organizational Development for Harris Health System. She has been with the organization for the past six years and feels blessed to be part of a mission-driven institution, the patient population served in Harris County and the extraordinary leaders and staff that are a part of our organization. Kim believes Harris Health aligns perfectly with her values and professional aspirations. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to fostering talent, developing leadership skills, mentorship, and helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential.
Defining Success in 2025
Dr. Kim Nugent defines success by helping individuals and groups become the best version of themselves. She emphasizes leading with love, maintaining a strong work ethic, and committing to service. Her focus lies in fostering a culture of sustainability built on values, mentoring, and leadership development. Outside of Harris Health employment, her work extends to supporting incarcerated men and women by equipping them with employability skills and reentry plans through peer-led mentorship groups. Over the years, her definition of success has evolved, but her core mission remains unchanged. From her early career in hospitality and higher education to her work in executive coaching and leadership development, she has consistently aimed to inspire and empower others. While the audience she serves has expanded, her fundamental belief in mentorship and leadership development remains the same.
Vision for the Future
Kim’s vision for the future revolves around continuously improving the comprehensive “One Harris Health Competency Framework,” which serves as the foundation for leadership development. This framework, designed to support leaders and individual contributors, includes the “Leading with Love” classes. These sessions are accessible at all levels within the organization and serve as a key differentiator for Harris Health. In addition, each month, the Harris Health Heartbeat podcast highlights an original area of the competency framework, complementing the coursework from the Leading with Love series. She remains committed to ensuring that leadership development remains a priority and that every individual within the organization has access to tools and resources to grow in their careers.
Fostering Innovation and Adaptability
To propel Harris Health toward becoming a high-reliability organization, under the direction of Dr. Steven Brass, Kim’s team partnered with the Patient Quality and Safety department to create the three-year Leading with Love Cultural Transformation Journey curriculum. Sponsored by CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, this initiative is more than just a leadership program; it is a cultural shift designed to instill love, trust, and psychological safety across the organization. This program is structured into three phases, beginning with building a foundation of shared values and empathy, integrating these principles into daily practices, and finally embedding them into the organization’s culture. Through this initiative, Harris Health ensures that its workforce remains adaptable, compassionate, and committed to excellence.
Building Resilience in Leadership
Kim maintains resilience through embracing challenges, committing to her goals, focusing on personal control, building strong relationships, prioritizing self-care, maintaining a positive outlook, and believing in her own abilities. She views obstacles as opportunities for growth and encourages others to do the same. She remains steadfast in her objectives and refuses to let circumstances define her. She continuously invests in personal development and learning. She fosters strong connections with her organizational development team, colleagues, friends, and family, recognizing that a supportive network is essential for resilience. She prioritizes activities such as walking, yoga, reading, writing, and cooking to maintain her well-being. She stays optimistic even in difficult situations and trusts her skills and experiences to overcome challenges. Her ability to maintain resilience has been instrumental in her success as a leader and mentor.
Empowering Others in Leadership
Kim believes in a train-the-trainer approach, ensuring that team members expand job roles s to grow and develop their leadership skills. She credits her own mentorship experience with Eileen Crowley Reed, who guided her through her role as a university president, as a key influence in shaping her leadership approach. She values mentorship and recognizes its importance in fostering future leaders. Through structured mentoring and professional development opportunities, she ensures that emerging leaders are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
Addressing Global Challenges
Kim recognizes the challenge of adapting to an ever-changing political and social climate. As a leader, she ensures that Harris Health remains a responsible organization that prioritizes adaptability, continuous improvement, and ethical decision-making. She continuously monitors trends and developments that may impact the organization and works proactively to implement strategies that allow the organization to remain resilient. She believes that organizations must be prepared to navigate uncertainty while maintaining their commitment to their mission and values.
The Impact of Emerging Technologies
Kim anticipates that artificial intelligence and evolving software platforms such as ServiceNow will significantly impact the healthcare and organizational development sectors. As Harris Health implements upgraded technology, she is excited to explore how these technologies can enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. She believes that embracing emerging technologies will be critical in improving workplace processes and ensuring that organizations remain at the forefront of innovation. By staying informed and adaptable, she and the entire Human Resources department ensures that Harris Health is prepared for the future of work.
Risk-Taking in Leadership
Kim believes in a balanced approach to risk-taking. She advocates for calculated risks and encourages leaders to question their assumptions, ask questions and embrace innovation without fear of failure. She recognizes that risk-taking is an essential part of leadership and decision-making. She encourages individuals to take thoughtful risks that drive growth and progress. She believes that through a culture of trust and psychological safety, employees can feel empowered to take risks and contribute innovative ideas.
Prioritizing Employee Well-Being
Harris Health takes employee satisfaction and well-being seriously. Kim ensures that employees are recognized for their contributions as a regular part of the workplace culture. The Mission Retention program, sponsored by EVP and Chief People Officer Omar Reid, focuses on employee engagement based on engagement data. The program provides leaders with the latest engagement and retention strategies. Omar has been quoted as saying “Retention is the new recruitment to our team members.” Our commitment as a team is to create an inclusive and positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Kim remains committed to lifelong learning by taking classes, reading, and networking. She believes that self-reflection and continuous personal development are critical to effective leadership. She actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and skill set. She encourages others within her organization to prioritize their own learning journeys and invest in their professional growth. Her dedication to continuous learning has allowed her to remain an effective and forward-thinking leader.
Career Achievements and Milestones
Throughout her career, Kim has achieved significant milestones, including becoming a best-selling author with nine published books, serving as President of DeVry University Houston Metro, holding leadership positions at Hilton Hotels, and serving as General Manager at the University of Houston Hilton College. Her career is a testament to her dedication to leadership, mentoring, and fostering positive organizational change. She wakes up every day driven by her passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
In conclusion, Dr. Kim Nugent’s leadership journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to fostering growth in individuals and organizations. Her ability to adapt, inspire, and implement meaningful change has made a lasting impact on Harris Health and beyond. Through mentorship, leadership development, and a focus on emotional intelligence, she has created a culture that prioritizes learning, well-being, and transformation. As she continues to lead with love and vision, her influence will shape the future of organizational development and inspire the next generation of leaders.
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