Leslie Quade

Leslie Quade

Global Head of Performance and People Development, Nutanix

Leslie Quade has spent over 25 years shaping how organizations evaluate, develop, and retain their talent. Her career has focused not just on finding the right people, but on building the frameworks and ecosystems that help them thrive.

At Nutanix, Quade has been instrumental in creating a skills-based talent management ecosystem designed to align with the company’s technology-driven goals. “Bringing in a skills ecosystem that’s integrated into our talent management framework has been my primary project,” she explains. From workforce planning to talent development programs, every piece of the puzzle is tied to the organization’s future growth.

Driving Impact Through Skills and AI

A central theme in Quade’s work is the integration of AI and technology to anticipate and address skill gaps. She emphasizes using AI responsibly to better identify critical skills, develop employees, and prepare for the future workforce.

“AI helps us move faster and more efficiently,” she says, “but the real focus is on identifying the skills that will help us meet business objectives now and in the future, and then creating programs to support that talent.”

Her approach balances innovation with intentionality, ensuring that technology serves the people at the heart of the organization.

Advice for Talent Leaders

Quade’s advice to her peers is simple but powerful: focus on skills. Understanding critical roles, the skills required for them, and how to retain and develop top talent is essential. “Whether you’re incorporating AI or not, skills are the key to advancing your organization,” she says. “If you’re not doing this today, you’re going to get behind.”

By centering her work on skills, Quade helps ensure that organizations are not just filling roles, but building sustainable pipelines for the future.

Mentorship and Recognition

Quade also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and learning from others in the field. She nominated Ria Nichols from Wells Fargo as a talent leader and mentor who has made a significant impact on her career. She also highlighted David Maloy from Findham as a rising leader in talent acquisition.

Through her leadership, Leslie Quade continues to shape the field of talent management, demonstrating that thoughtful strategy, a focus on skills, and a human-centered approach to technology are the keys to organizational success.