Garrison Gibbons is a HR futurist, culture connoisseur, hypergrowth/startup expert, employee communications specialist,

DEI practitioner, and public speaker.

garrison gibbons

Garrison (he/they) currently works as the SVP of People and Admin at 21.co, a fin-tech unicorn that works to build bridges into the crypto world for its customers. There, Garrison oversees global HR strategy, talent, administration, and culture.

Prior to 21.co, Garrison served as the Head of People & Comms at Knotch, leading both functions through COVID-19 and the transition to remote-first work. Before Knotch, Garrison worked as the deputy to the Chief People Officer at Mic, ultimately leading them through transition to Bustle Digital Group post-acquisition. Garrison has also worked in the fitness industry - specializing in Brand & People - first at Barry's, before being brought on as hire #5 at Rumble.

Being brand and mission driven, Garrison has worked exclusively for companies who make a societal impact and uses this mentality to impact morale and culture internally and further brand perception and awareness externally. Garrison believes the future of HR includes acting as the connective tissue between the brand, the business, and the people.

Garrison is an expert in innovating and scaling practices, particularly in the startup and hyper-growth stage. Garrison's personal values are leading with empathy, practicing proactive transparency, and fostering an inclusive environment. Garrison is openly queer and works heavily in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging space.

Garrison has been named Crain's New York's 20 in Their 20's, Involve's HERoes 50 Executive Advocates 2020, Business Equity Magazine's 40 LGBTQ+ Executives Under 40, and was a finalist for the Digiday Worklife award for HR Leader of the Year for 2020. Garrison was recently awarded the National Diversity Council's LGBTQ+ Leadership Award for 2021. Garrison currently serves as a board member of Big Apple Performing Arts, home of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus and the Youth Pride Chorus.

Garrison lives in Harlem with their comedian husband, Jay Jurden, and their ten year old dog, Bindi.

honors

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Garrison Gibbons Awarded LGBTQ+ Leadership Award

National Diversity Council &
Tri-State Diversity Council

Garrison Gibbons was recently honored with the National Diversity Council & Tri-State Diversity Council's LGBTQ+ Leadership Award at their Tri-State LGBTQ+ Unity Summit 2021.

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podcasts

Reimagining Company Culture: Safe Spaces for HR Professionals

Garrison sits down with AllVoices, as a part of their podcast series, Reimagining Company Culture to discuss emerging trends and priorities shaping the future of workplace culture and employee wellbeing.

Tune in to learn Garrison’s thoughts on hiring your first people person, building trust outside of an "open door policy", societal impact of private companies, and more!

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The Hacking HR Podcast

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Interview with Garrison Gibbons – Garrison is the Head of People at Knotch, overseeing strategy, DEI, talent, culture, and operations. Being mission driven, he has worked exclusively for companies that make an impact with their work. He uses this mentality to impact company morale and culture and is an expert in innovating, elevating, and scaling practices and policies, especially in the startup and hyper-growth space.

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Opportunity Makers

Garrison Gibbons and Anda Gansca moderate “Opportunity Makers,” a series which profiles storytellers in the immigrant community in honor of National Immigrants Day. The series consists of both Q&A interviews and podcast episodes with immigrant leaders across different industries and sectors, showcasing how they are opportunity makers not opportunity takers. Organized and created by Garrison Gibbons.

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Arrive at Happy

Garrison Gibbons demonstrates a millennials road to success as Head of People at Knotch. While his title is impressive, his goal is not money or success, but rather making an impact through his day to day work. Garrison speaks to the importance of storytelling and making your experience fluid and cohesive. This will shed light on who you really are and inspire a culture of inclusion wherever you land.

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Thinking Inside the Box: My Authenic Self

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“I'm looking towards a world where work and life can become more balanced. I'm hoping that we take the opportunity for more flexibility when it comes to showing up in the office” - Garrison Gibbons is the Head of People at Knotch

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