With a career rooted in building strong teams and enabling organizations to scale with clarity and purpose, Jess Cadigan joins DMS as Head of People at an important moment of growth. Known for her people-first mindset and ability to align talent, structure and culture with business goals, Jess brings a strategic approach to how HR can accelerate performance and support leaders at every level.
In this Q&A, Jess shares her perspective on talent, high-performance culture and the role HR plays in helping companies stay agile as they evolve.
Q: As the new DMS Head Of People, how do you see the role of HR evolving to support our company’s growth goals for 2026 and beyond?
Jess: HR is becoming a strategic accelerator for how DMS grows – not just an operational function. As we scale, my focus is on building the systems, leadership capabilities and people practices that allow our teams to execute with speed and excellence. That means strengthening our performance and feedback culture, developing managers at every level, ensuring our compensation and career frameworks support growth and creating the operational rigor that enables us to move quickly while staying aligned. Ultimately, HR plays a key role in helping the business achieve its goals by making sure we have the right people, in the right roles, supported by the right structures to thrive. One Team, One Dream!
Q: What priorities are top of mind for you when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market?
Jess: Three things:
1. Hiring With Intention: Aligning our hiring practices with the competencies, values and performance expectations that drive the DMS vision forward.
2. Clear Development And Career Pathways: Ensuring employees can see where they’re headed and understand what success looks like at each stage.
3. A Compelling Employee Experience: Competitive total rewards, strong leadership, meaningful feedback and a culture of mutual respect where team members can work in a way that is most impactful for them and DMS.
Q: How do you plan to foster a culture that balances high performance with employee well-being and professional development?
Jess: High-performance and well-being are not opposites – they reinforce each other when the environment is built intentionally. My approach is to equip managers with the tools, training and support to lead with clarity, empathy and candor; invest in leadership development programs that help employees grow at every level; and create systems that celebrate impact, not busyness. It’s about creating an environment where teams can feel safe to push themselves while still feeling supported.
Q: In your view, what role does HR play in helping companies remain agile in times of change, whether it’s market shifts, industry regulation or organizational transformation?
Jess: HR can be such an asset to teams when well utilized. We act as the stabilizing force and a strategic guide during times of growth and change. We help the company stay agile by building and supporting resilient teams, designing adaptable structures and ensuring communication is transparent and timely. Whether we’re supporting new go-to-market strategies, responding to evolving regulations or navigating organizational shifts, HR ensures that people leaders have the guidance and frameworks they need to lead confidently. Agility starts with a strong foundation: clear expectations, strong talent, effective processes and a culture of continuous learning. Ultimately, I believe HR to be the connective tissue that keeps all of that aligned as the business evolves.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you, or a hobby or passion you enjoy outside of work?
Jess: Outside of work, I’m a big food and travel person. I love exploring new cities, natural wine and local farmers’ markets. I spend as much time as I can with my son, Brighton, and our golden retriever, Sterling.
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