Ethan Willinger

Background

About Ethan Willinger

I’m a purpose-driven leader passionate about creating meaningful employee experiences. True leadership starts with vulnerability, and I’ve seen firsthand that trust and psychological safety fuel innovation, collaboration, and motivation. I’ve led teams through major organizational change, improving HR processes and driving engagement. My experience spans change management, performance management, and building high-performing teams that drive business success. Key Accomplishments: HR Process Transformation at Intuit: Led a team delivering impactful employee experiences, including streamlining the virtual work request process. Partnered cross-functionally to develop a principle-based framework, secured C-suite approval, and automated ~70% of workflows using Smartsheets. Automation & Efficiency Gains: Automation of Canadian Tax Form T2200, leveraging RPA to cut claim turnaround from 7 days to 2—improving efficiency by 70%. HR Connect Team Leadership: Managed a 50+ OSP team handling employee inquiries annually, achieving a best-in-class 90 tNPS and consistently exceeding service KPIs. Driving Engagement & Change: Successfully turned around engagement at a struggling Target store, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to improving employee experiences. My leadership philosophy centers on empowering others to take risks, embrace failure, and continuously improve. I foster open communication, provide meaningful feedback, and support team growth. My personal journey, shaped by overcoming challenges, has deepened my passion for helping others push past self-doubt to reach their full potential. I’m a firm believer in data-driven decision-making and always seek ways to optimize processes for better results. Above all, I strive to build cultures where people feel valued, empowered, and equipped to succeed. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me chasing after my two young boys, who keep me on my toes with their non-stop energy and love for sports. As a dad, I’m always running between practices, games, and trying to keep up with their enthusiasm! Outside of family life, I’m a huge football fan and an avid golfer. The humbling nature of golf really resonates with me—it’s a game where consistency, patience, and perfecting your craft are everything. I’m still chasing that elusive scratch game, but I’m enjoying the journey and always learning along the way. It’s a challenge I never tire of. Let’s connect if you’re looking for a leader who builds inclusive, high-performing teams and delivers results through innovation and strategy.