Karen Hammond, group head of people at Meridian Group, learned one of life's most important lessons at an early age by realising that difficult circumstances do not have to define your future. After losing loved ones while she was still young, she could easily have allowed hardship to shape the direction of her life. Instead, those experiences gave her a deep sense of purpose and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Alongside her husband and two adult children, she spends much of her time supporting young people through education, teaching digital skills, helping students complete their studies and visiting elderly people who are often forgotten. There are no sponsors or corporate initiatives behind the work. The family funds it themselves, driven by a shared belief that changing even one person's life is worth the effort.
“Sometimes it's simply having a conversation, asking how they're doing, or taking them a fruit pack. Many older people feel forgotten, and often what they value most is knowing that somebody still cares.”
For Karen, those moments are not separate from her role at Meridian. They are simply an extension of the same purpose that drives her every day.
“My life is about serving others. It's about helping people grow, whether that's in the workplace or outside of it. Whether I'm supporting a student who is building a future or leading a workforce of more than 5,500 employees, I've always believed that the greatest impact begins when people feel seen, valued and cared for.”
The engagement effect
That belief has shaped every organisation she has joined, and Meridian Group has been no exception.
When she joined in August 2024, she inherited a workforce spread across more than 20,000 retail stores, forcing her to rethink what connection looked like at scale.
“Most of our employees are merchandisers in a sales and merchandising environment, they are not sitting behind desks. Reaching them is not easy because they are spread across more than 20,000 stores across all regions. Visiting everyone simply is not possible.”
Through the introduction of digital employee platforms such as Jem, real-time communication, instant recognition programmes, accessible benefits and financial wellness initiatives, access to payslips and mobile contracts, Meridian began creating a far more connected employee experience.
Karen was also determined to move recognition away from annual ceremonies and make appreciation immediate and meaningful.
“If someone is doing something exceptional, why wait until year-end to acknowledge it? Recognition should happen in the moment, that’s why we reward our Merchandisers instantly in the store with vouchers. It's about helping people feel appreciated for the contribution they make every day.”
“Our latest employee engagement survey had a 97 percent participation rate, and more than 85 percent of our employees rated Meridian as a great place to work and that they would recommend Meridian as an employer of choice.
For Karen, however, the results simply reinforce something she has believed throughout her career.
“People want to know that they matter. They want to know they're more than a number on a payroll system. When you genuinely care about people, engagement follows naturally.”
Karen also introduced an online learning academy, giving every employee access to continuous, on-the-go development opportunities. Learning does not end after a module is completed. Micro-learning and ongoing reinforcement help employees retain and apply new knowledge long after their initial training.
AI skills for all
She is particularly passionate about ensuring technology and AI are accessible to everyone, not just office-based employees.
“The future of work belongs to everyone. Whether you're a merchandiser, cleaner or executive, every employee should have the opportunity to learn, grow and understand how technology can help them succeed. AI shouldn't create a divide; it should create opportunities.”
Karen's commitment to creating opportunities for others is deeply personal. Throughout her career, several leaders recognised potential in her long before she recognised it in herself, and she remains committed to paying that forward by helping others discover and achieve their potential.
A pivotal moment came while she was working at the Durban ICC, where her manager repeatedly encouraged her to consider a future in HR.
“He would always tell me that one day I would make a great HR manager. At the time, I didn't fully see it, but he saw something in me and encouraged me to believe in myself.”
Later, while working at Nedbank, another leader provided a career-defining opportunity by recommending her for an HR role when the opportunity arose.
“Someone opened a door for me and gave me an opportunity when they didn't have to. That opportunity changed my life. I've never forgotten that, and it's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about developing people and helping them see what's possible for themselves.”
Care, share, prepare
Throughout her career at organisations including Nedbank, Dimension Data, Sun International, PwC, PepsiCo and now Meridian Group, Karen has carried the same belief, when you invest in people, business results follow.
Looking back, she believes the challenges she experienced early in life ultimately shaped her purpose.
“I've had a very different journey, and I could have allowed my circumstances to define me, but I chose not to. Every challenge taught me resilience, gratitude and the importance of helping others. I believe we're all here for a reason, and for me that reason is to create opportunities for people, to help them grow, and to remind them that their future can be bigger than their circumstances.”
Today, that purpose is reflected in three simple words that have become her leadership philosophy – care, share and prepare.
“I always say my role is to care for people, share knowledge and opportunities, and prepare people for the next level. I believe the higher you grow, the humbler you become. Leadership isn't about putting yourself first. It's about putting your people first.”
