Heather Currier Hunt to lead Leadership Development at St. Jude

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital announced today that Heather Currier Hunt will serve as the senior vice president for the St. Jude Leadership Academy (SJLA), the office that manages leadership development programs for the institution. In this new role, Currier Hunt will create a best-in-class training environment to develop leaders for St. Jude as it continues to grow its workforce and global impact.

Currier Hunt has more than 20 years of experience as an executive talent strategist and learning leadership expert. She was most recently chief learning officer and principal with Perkins&Will, a global design firm. She was also the executive talent director and global head of learning and development for IDEO, a global design and innovation firm.

Leadership development key to advancing mission

Created in 2015 under the direction of James R. Downing, MD, president and CEO of St. Jude, the SJLA develops organizational leaders at the individual contributor, manager and director levels. More than 1,600 St. Jude faculty and staff members have completed one of its programs.

Currier Hunt will focus on evolving the program SJLA to meet the needs of St. Jude as it continues to grow its global impact in the years to come.

“Advancing the mission of St. Jude requires leaders who are curious, collaborative and driven to deliver impactful results to find cures and save children,” Downing said. “Heather’s vision and experience in leadership development will be crucial as we instill these qualities in future graduates of the St. Jude Leadership Academy.”

‘We will evolve how leadership is practiced’

Currier Hunt was drawn to St. Jude by the opportunity to create innovative models of mentorship, apprenticeship, peer-to-peer learning and skill building for future leaders within the institution. With a strong leadership program already in place, she sees an opportunity to instill the SJLA principles into every aspect of life at St. Jude, from patients and families, to staff and visitors.

“My goal is to be of service to those who are in service to others. Together, we will evolve how leadership is practiced,” Currier Hunt said. “Longer term, my hope is that St. Jude becomes a beacon of leadership to organizations everywhere that are dedicated to the pursuit of finding cures and saving lives.” 

Downing said the evolution of the SJLA reflects the shared commitment between the institution and its employees. “If you give your best to St. Jude, St. Jude will meet you with opportunity. We’re going to do our best to help each employee build the best career possible for themselves, no matter what they do in the organization ― because what every individual does at St. Jude matters.”