Kris Manos is an active director of public, private, and employee-owned companies. Kris acts as a catalyst for the boards on which she serves- implementing best practices, bringing a diverse perspective, developing a curious culture, and overseeing organizational change- to ensure the business is successful and the board fulfills its responsibilities to its stakeholders. She is committed to strong governance as the foundation for healthy companies and lasting results.

Kris currently serves as a director for Columbia Forest Products, chairing the compensation committee, and for Human Active Technology (private equity), serving as executive chair. She has previously served as a director of Employee Owned Brands Inc., KeyCorp (NYSE: Key), American Capital (Nasdaq: ACAS), Select Comfort (Nasdaq: SCSS), C.H.I. Overhead Doors (private equity), and Soil Safe (private equity). Kris has chaired boards, as well as audit, governance, compensation, and special investigation committees.

Kris brings deep expertise in governance best practices, compliance, risk management (including cybersecurity), and complex regulatory environments. She has resolved derivative litigation, IRS protests, and activist investments, all in ways that maximized stakeholder value. Kris has led and participated in CEO selection processes, resulting in smooth leadership transitions and growth in enterprise value. She also provides a customer- and market-focused view of strategic alternatives.

Her executive background is in leading business-to-business, design-driven building products companies. As president of both Wilsonart and Herman Miller, she grew revenue and enhanced profitability through her unique strength in clarifying strategy, building healthy culture, and honing execution skills. Her cross-functional experience in marketing, product development, manufacturing, finance, and distribution lets her quickly assess a company and create lasting positive change.

Kris earned a master’s degree from the Yale School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College. She cofounded Women Corporate Directors’ Austin chapter and is a member of Extraordinary Women on Boards, the Committee of 200, and NACD, currently chairing the sponsorship committee for the NACD Texas TriCities Chapter. Civically, she serves on the advisory board of Baylor Scott and White Hospital, Central Region. She has served on the boards of Kick Start International, International Relief and Development, and Holland Hospital.