"Saying Yes Changed My Life" - From HR Executive to COO, Thinking Like an Operator, and Leveraging AI in Business With Megan Paterson

“When you're hiring your number two, your number three, your number four — make sure you're complementing your skills as a founder with somebody who does have an operational mindset.” - Megan PatersonMegan Paterson is the Chief Operating Officer of Kinaxis, a publicly traded SaaS company that manages some of the world’s largest supply chains. She has spent nearly 18 years at the organization, watching it grow from roughly $20M in revenue to over half a billion, and from a privately held company to a publicly traded one.Megan’s career began in recruiting at a consulting firm, and she steadily rose through the HR function, holding roles as HR Advisor, Director of Human Resources, VP, and Chief Human Resources Officer, before stepping into the COO role. The transition was unconventional, and by her own account, she spent five months saying no before eventually accepting. Her path has given her a rare vantage point on both the people side and the operational side of scaling a technology company.Her areas of expertise include international expansion, mergers and acquisitions, building and scaling teams, and operational systems. Megan is also an angel investor, working with startups and engaging with entrepreneurial communities, including Invest Ottawa.Connect with MeganLinkedIn: Megan PatersonLinkedIn: KinaxisKinaxis Website: KinaxisConnect with NaomiWebsite: www.naomihaile.comLinkedIn: Naomi HaileInstagram: @naomiahaileTwitter: @naomiathaileYouTube: Naomi HaileThis episode is brought to you in collaboration with ⁠Invest Ottawa⁠, Ottawa’s lead economic development agency for knowledge-based industries. We teamed up to produce this special podcast series to celebrate women leading in Ottawa during International Women’s Month.In support of its Women Founders and Owners strategy, Invest Ottawa offers programs and services that enable and accelerate the growth and success of women entrepreneurs from every walk of life. Visit ⁠www.investottawa.ca/women⁠ to learn more!