Cat Paterson joined monday.com in December 2024 as the Regional People Director for EMEA.
With over 18 years of experience in diverse HR roles at leading companies including Elastic, Bloom & Wild, ServiceNow, and General Electric, Cat brings a unique blend of expertise in growth, expansion, and scaling operations. Her strong focus on supporting CRO functions is complemented by her passion for fostering personal and organisational growth.
Throughout her career, Cat has implemented robust HR frameworks and built cultural foundations that prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has consistently partnered with senior leaders and global teams to design and deliver impactful initiatives across talent development, change management, and organisational design.
Looking ahead, Cat is working to support the growth of monday.com across new markets, and increase its people footprint in new locations.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
I wasn’t actively looking for a new role, but monday.com came onto my radar – and the more I learned about its momentum, growth, and people-first culture, the more excited I became to be part of the journey.
I’ve spent my career developing the EMEA region across various businesses, so helping to build out monday.com’s EMEA team felt like a natural next step. Now a few months in, we’re already making great progress. We’ve been hiring across the region, and I recently attended our EMEA CRO kick-off, where I saw firsthand how we’re accelerating monday.com’s presence and impact in the market.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
I am definitely a generalist in the HR field. I prefer having a broad touchpoint with people aligned to business strategy, rather than specialising in HR Operations, C&B, or Talent Acquisition – even though I have to dip my toe into all of these areas on a daily basis! I love having the ability to change focus and impact in different areas depending on needs.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
A standout role model for me is Pat Wadors, who I had the honour of working under at ServiceNow. She led initiatives with a strong focus on individuals, and her influence was genuinely felt across the globe.
Pat created an environment where everyone felt empowered to bring their full selves to work. She led with vulnerability, showing that true leadership is rooted in openness and empathy, and she was intentional about creating space for every voice to be heard.
Her approach deeply shaped how I think about leadership and inclusion. Those lessons continue to inform the initiatives I’ve introduced at monday.com – and they’ve helped me better support my colleagues on a more individual, human level.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
I have many personal accomplishments that make me smile internally, but what I truly value most is the impact I have on others and their success. One of my proudest moments was accepting an EMEA ‘Region of the Year’ award, which was a testament to the team’s focus, alignment, and execution, regardless of individual roles. Today, my team at monday.com is just as ambitious, motivated, and driven to succeed.
As a HR professional, you don’t always have direct revenue targets, but playing a part in creating a culture where people can thrive, collaborate, and drive results together is incredibly rewarding.
What does an average work day look like for you?
Does an average work day or week exist?!
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
Adaptability and innovation are essential as the HR function continues to evolve – especially with the rapid advancement of technology. GenAI has the potential to transform the employee experience, from learning and skills development to internal mobility.
It can also make our roles as HR professionals more efficient, helping us streamline tasks, make data-driven decisions, and provide more targeted support to employees. But that potential will only be realised if we’re willing to embrace change. By staying agile and open to new ways of working, we can help drive monday.com’s growth and ensure our workforce remains empowered.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
Working in tech – especially in fast-paced, high-growth environments – means that personal growth is non-negotiable. The right leader plays a key role in that journey, whether it’s by giving you more responsibility, encouraging you to speak up, or maintaining a consistent and open line of communication for guidance. I’ve been fortunate that, overall, my experiences have been positive and have allowed me to stretch myself in meaningful ways.
That said, I’m also a big advocate for pausing and reassessing where – and how – you want to grow. A few years ago, I took a career break to focus on upskilling and coaching, and everything I learned during that time has played a formative role in my development since. Even in sectors like tech, creating space for intentional growth is just as important as keeping pace.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
These feelings are completely normal, and I’ve absolutely felt them myself, but it’s how you move forward that shapes the outcomes. In my view, there are two solutions to overcoming any insecurities: communication and action. Firstly, don’t be afraid to speak up, show others what you’re anxious or concerned about, and ask for help.
Secondly, get your hands dirty. By getting stuck in and facing insecurities head on, you can reclaim your power and boost your confidence. Suddenly, the thing you were anxious about feels much more manageable.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Don’t worry about asking anything that is on your mind. More often than not, people are happy to help – and chances are, others have the exact same question. There’s really no such thing as a silly question, especially when you’re learning.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
My main piece of advice for women in the tech industry – or those looking to step into an HR role within a tech company – is to embody a growth mindset and be open to pivot quickly. The tech world moves quickly, and being comfortable with constant change, whether it’s in business priorities, leadership expectations, or workforce dynamics, is key.
To add value, focus on deeply understanding the business. In the UK, for example, tech companies are constantly looking for top local talent with in-demand skills to strengthen their EMEA presence. Building strong relationships, staying proactive, and aligning yourself with the company’s direction will put you in the best position to make a meaningful impact.
