How Will Nokia’s New CPO Shape Telco Talent for AI Era?

Nokia is placing people at the centre of its transformation, appointing Kristen Pressner as Chief People Officer (CPO) to steer its workforce through the next phase of its AI and next-generation network strategy.

With a strong legacy in global HR leadership, Kristen steps into the role at a time when the telecoms sector is under pressure to adapt rapidly to cloud, AI and automation technologies.

She will become part of Nokia’s Group Leadership Team from 1 May 2026, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Justin Hotard. Based in Finland, Kristen is charged with advancing cultural and operational evolution to align Nokia’s people strategy with the demands of future connectivity.

Announcing the appointment, Justin says: “I am thrilled to welcome Kristen to Team Nokia as we work together to build a culture of empowerment, accountability and a customer-first mindset to increase focus and improve performance across our business. Kristen brings a wealth of experience in driving transformation through business.

“She will lead our cultural evolution toward an AI-empowered, united team, focused on delivering for our customers and seizing the opportunities that the AI supercycle is creating for advanced and trusted connectivity.”

People transformation for a telco in transition

Nokia continues to evolve beyond its roots in network infrastructure and into a technology-led connectivity firm, investing heavily in AI, cloud and edge computing. As these changes unfold, Kristen will be responsible for ensuring that Nokia’s global workforce adapts to the needs of the AI era without losing sight of human capability and purpose.

Kristen joins Nokia after 20 years at Roche Holding, where she held senior roles including Global Head of People and Culture for Roche Diagnostics. She has played a major part in shaping leadership frameworks and operating models that enable innovation. This focus on structure and agility will be critical as Nokia looks to position itself as a leader in intelligent network solutions.

In a personal statement shared on LinkedIn, Kristen says: “The company is transforming for the era of AI, cloud and next-generation networks, at the centre of that transformation are its people. Nokia’s success depends on the creativity, courage and collaboration of its teams around the world and I’m inspired by the opportunity to play a key role in unleashing that potential.”

She continues: “As a global technology leader with a remarkable heritage and a bold future, Nokia is poised to shape the next chapter of connectivity and I can’t wait to be a part of that journey.”

Kristen also reflects on her departure from Roche: “The last 20 years have shaped me in meaningful ways, both personally and professionally. It has been a place of growth, collaboration, support and purpose and I will carry that with me in gratitude.”

Before her time at Roche, Kristen held HR roles at Texas Instruments, including Strategic Staffing Manager and HR Manager. These roles focused on culture and capability building, themes that will remain central to her role at Nokia as the company shifts to AI-powered operations.

AI and automation embedded in telco strategy

Nokia’s appointment of a new CPO comes as it advances its AI and automation roadmap across core telecoms infrastructure. On the same day as Kristen’s appointment, the company announced a four-year contract extension with TNN, Denmark’s largest shared mobile network operator.

TNN is a joint venture between Norlys and Telenor and under the deal, Nokia remains the sole supplier of its 5G radio access network and managed services. The upgrade will incorporate AI and autonomous capabilities into TNN’s 5G network infrastructure, supporting increased capacity, higher speeds and improved service reliability.

Mark Atkinson, Head of Radio Access Network at Nokia, says: “This enhanced deal with TNN reflected our strong partnership and Nokia’s position as a trusted technology provider delivering industry-leading 5G solutions and advanced AI and automation capabilities for enhanced operational efficiency and network quality.”

The integration of AI across network infrastructure and people operations signals a unified shift in Nokia’s operating model. With Kristen now responsible for aligning talent development with these objectives, her role will be critical in creating the capabilities needed to deploy and support AI-driven telecoms systems at scale.

While technology transformation is a core focus, Nokia’s strategy continues to reinforce the importance of people as a long-term investment. Kristen’s appointment reinforces this, underscoring the company’s aim to build a workforce equipped to navigate future network demands while maintaining a people-first culture.

Nokia now positions itself not just as a 5G leader, but as a company reengineering telecoms with AI at its core—across both its infrastructure and its internal teams. Kristen’s leadership in workforce transformation will be a key part of how Nokia remains agile and relevant in a sector shaped by continuous innovation.