Holly Perkins was named the Vice President of Human Resources at Gates Corporation in September 2021.  She is a key member a key member of the global HR leadership team, providing executive level strategic guidance and support for the Americas commercial organization and global corporate functions.

Previously, Perkins served as the Director of Human Resources for Black & Veatch’s water organization where she collaborated with Black & Veatch executives and other leaders to align the company’s people strategies with its water business goals. Her responsibilities included serving as an executive advisor and coach on human capital and performance strategies; overseeing succession planning and career development for the water business and forecasting its talent challenges; and promoting an organization-wide culture that advances Black & Veatch’s business strategy including its diversity and inclusion objectives.

Perkins led a high-performing and respected HR team. Under her direction, existing Human Resources Business Partner functions and responsibilities were re-aligned and integrated strategically with the water business to support its growth and increase its profitability. She was also an instrumental member of a team that led the conversion of an office supporting Black & Veatch’s mining projects in Santiago, Chile, into a regional office for the company. Prior to her work for the water business, Perkins served as Director of Employee Relations for Black & Veatch’s corporate HR team.

As an attorney for small as well as large firms before joining Black & Veatch, Perkins gained considerable experience serving as an advocate for employers before federal and state courts; counseling clients in accessibility, harassment, discrimination, termination and other issues; and assisting clients in developing and revising employee handbooks, procedures and policies. Her expertise in labor and employment law makes her an invaluable advisor on human capital strategies to minimize risk and solve issues proactively while achieving the highest levels of performance in an organization and tapping into the potential of key employees.

Perkins also has a background in business sales with Microsoft Corporation, the Excite Network and Salomon Smith Barney.

Perkins relocated from Kansas City to Denver in November 2019.  She is currently a member of the 2022 Leadership Denver class.  During her time in the Kansas City area, she served on numerous boards including Girls on the Run of Johnson, the Shelter Inc (currently known as The Children’s Shelter) in Lawrence, KS (a nonprofit social service agency providing a variety of services designed to strengthen families and children who are experiencing major changes. The flagship program provides temporary, residential group care to children ages 10-18 who are placed with the Children’s Shelter because of court involvement due to abuse, neglect or law enforcement. Through Family Foster Care Services, the Children’s Shelter recruits, trains and supports foster parents for kids who are placed in-home.), and the Lawrence Human Society.

She earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2008 from the University of Kansas School of Law and became of member of the Missouri Bar in 2008 and Kansas Bar in 2009. Perkins has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut and is a 1996 graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall.