People First, Sep. ’22

Please welcome Russell Goin as he recently joined BHG as our Chief People Officer (CPO). In this new role, Russell will lead the human resources function with an acute focus on advancing culture. Russell noted that “A great patient experience starts with a great team member experience. The decision to bring on a CPO demonstrates BHG’s commitment to advancing a people-first culture. I am honored to join as BHG’s first CPO.” 

Russell explained what led him to BHG. “The opportunity at BHG was incredibly appealing for several reasons. Like most everyone else, you join a company because of who you will work for and who you will work with. After spending time with Jay and other members of the management team, I felt a connection and could see myself at BHG. When I considered how BHG makes an impact through restoring lives and strengthening communities, I knew that BHG was where I wanted to continue my career. Like many, I have seen first-hand the impact that the chronic disease of addiction can have on a loved one. BHG afforded the opportunity to work with purpose.”  

Russell is increasingly excited about the vision and future of BHG. He has never been in a “maintenance” role and enjoys opportunities to enable continued growth through talent. Over the last two months, Russell and the HR team have put forth a roadmap of initiatives that will ensure BHG has the human capital to achieve business objectives, while advancing culture and enhancing team member experiences.  

“Culture is what differentiates a company, including BHG. Companies can replicate what we do, but they cannot replicate how we do it. We want our patients to experience hope, respect, and caring. It is great to work with a management team that is committed to advancing our people-first culture because satisfied and engaged team members provide great patient care.”   

A little bit about Russell. He was born in Birmingham, AL, moved to Little Rock at a young age, and lived in Memphis for several years. He landed in North Texas for high school and has called Texas home ever since.   

After graduating from Texas Tech University, Russell gained early operations experience as he advanced in the hospitality and hotel industry. He quickly realized that he enjoyed recruiting, developing, and motivating teams and decided to leave operations behind and pursue a career in Human Resources. After securing his first role in HR, Russell decided to further his education through the pursuit of an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas.  

Over the last 20 years, Russell has gained experience in a variety of industries with a focus of driving cultural change and transformation. He has had the opportunity to serve in executive- level HR roles at both public and private companies. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to servant leadership, assembling strong HR teams, and employing robust HR technology.  

Russell has been married to Patricia for 22 years and they live in Frisco, TX. They have two boys, Grant, 19, and Luke, 16.  Outside of work, he enjoys all things outdoors.  

For the past four years, Russell has served on the Board of Directors of Frisco Family Services, a non-profit organization that helps members of the community who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other urgent needs to improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency.  

“There is real purpose in supporting organizations that serve people that have been stigmatized and are misunderstood. I am honored to take on the CPO role at BHG where together, as a team, we can change lives.”   

When it comes to working with purpose and at your personal best, Kristine Pienkowski knows how to help you get there. As the company’s first Senior Director of Talent and Organizational Development, she’s focused on increasing employee engagement and helping team members explore and build career paths here at BHG — careers we love and that will serve both us and our patients well. 

From revamping our onboarding process to creating and implementing meaningful learning and development opportunities, she’s working with Russell Goin, Chief People Officer, and the HR team to focus on the employee journey. Much like what we do alongside our patients, she is passionate about coaching people to hone in on strengths that help us connect with ourselves and do the work we love and were designed to do.  

“You need to love what you do, and that’s why I’m here at BHG,” said Kristine. 

She grew up with two older brothers in Highland Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago, and lived there until college. Her working mom still works to this day at age 78, and her dad was an electrician. 

“We were like latchkey kids. I got away with a lot because I was the baby,” Kristine said with a smirk and a laugh. 

Now she lives in Wheeling, a suburb on the north shore of Chicago. She has a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in recreation, parks and tourism administration, and a minor in business. She later earned a master’s in health and wellness education focused on adult learning at the University of Missouri (Mizzou). It was at that time that she transitioned into HR and development. Before BHG, Kristine spent years at a variety of companies such as Sears, Crate & Barrel, Aspen Dental and Option Care where she used to work with BHG COO Julie Koenig. 

“I started teaching classes and loved it and got better and better. My career grew from there and I got into consulting and coaching. Later I started doing leadership development where I would look at what’s wrong and how to help fix it. Now, I’m at the point where I just love developing people and providing them with resources and tools to help them be successful.” 

Personality, skills, and strengths assessments are among the tools Kristine likes to work with and plans to do more of here at BHG. 

“I’m very high on execution and conscientiousness,” said Kristine. 

She proved that right out of the gates when she started on June 6 and dove into building a new onboarding program and launching the first welcome orientation led by leadership. 

“Responsibility, harmony, and activation are among my top five StrengthsFinders talent themes. I’m a high D and C on the DISC, and I’m an advisor and equalizer in the StandOut® Strengths Assessment. I want to know my field well because I can make a difference and help people grow and improve. Everyone’s path looks different. For example, you may want to become a manager or a leader or learn how to deepen your knowledge and other ways to use your skills. Marcus Buckingham says, ‘Your career should be a scavenger hunt to find what you love to do.’ He always says, ‘Find your loves at work.’” 

“Everyone here has been so welcoming. It’s a great feeling to be working for an organization that is helping people with something that is life changing. I feel like we can make a huge difference.” 

As the first person in this role, Kristine is excited to help build it and work with the HR team on rolling out a strategy focused on the employee journey.  

“I’m excited to help people who want to be helped with their entire career here. It’s about the employee journey, from recruiting, onboarding, providing managers and leaders tools and resources to keep people learning and happy, and caring well for our patients.” 

When she’s not coaching colleagues to work at their personal best, she’s living her own best life, spending time with her husband John of 20 years, her 16-year-old daughter Jenna, and her two dogs Khloe and Zola.  

“I love working out and going to concerts, especially country music concerts. I love being outside in the spring and summer and I enjoy taking walks, especially with my daughter. And I love vacation. If I could be on a beach right now, I would. I hate that I don’t see the water often.”