Behind the Scenes: A Q&A with Cheryl Throgmorton, Senior Director, People and Culture

We recently sat down with Cheryl Throgmorton, Senior Director of People and Culture at Navitus, to discuss her professional journey, her approach to fostering an inclusive workplace culture and the priorities guiding that work in 2026 and beyond.

What does a day in the life look like as the Senior Director of People and Culture at Navitus? 

Each day is a blend of intention, strategy and heart. I start by grounding myself in our mission, then spend the day moving between meaningful conversations with leaders, coaching my team and translating associate feedback into action that strengthens trust and engagement. I partner on everything from leadership development experiences to change leadership and culture initiatives that help our people feel connected, supported and inspired. My work is deeply human, weaving together data, empathy and big-picture thinking as we continue building a workplace where people can do the best work of their careers. No two days look the same, but every day is anchored in the privilege of shaping a culture that reflects who we are at our best. 

When did you first get involved with people and culture work? 

My passion for people and culture work started when I was very young. I grew up in St. Louis, a place still marked by racial division, and one of my earliest memories is being discouraged from choosing a Black doll when I was about 5 years old. It was the first time I recognized that people react differently to racial differences, and it stayed with me. As I grew older, friendships across race became transformational, opening my eyes to the power of connection, understanding and courageous conversations. Those experiences shaped my academic journey as well, including my dissertation work exploring high-quality coworker relationships across racial and ethnic differences. I learned how identity, culture and belonging influence the way people show up at work and how meaningful it is when those differences are navigated with curiosity and respect.  

Working in health care has deepened that calling. I saw firsthand that cultural competence isn’t just about good teamwork or customer experience. It can literally influence life‑and‑death outcomes.   

Today, my work in People and Culture, along with my training in organization development (OD), brings all of this together. OD is fundamentally about culture, change and creating conditions for flourishing within organizations. That’s what has driven me from the beginning. I’m committed to helping people feel valued, understood and able to thrive, and that’s why I do this work.  

How do you define diversity, equity and inclusion? 

I like the definitions we use in our Foundations of Inclusive Teams training (see below), and I would add psychological safety as a key component to fully achieving the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion. When I need a quick response, I often use Andrés Tapia’s definition: “Diversity is a mix and inclusion is making the mix work.” 

What are a few initiatives you’re focusing on at Navitus, and what is your vision? 

Across the enterprise, our progress is powered by collaborative partnerships, from our full HR team to our People & Culture Committee and Steering Committee, as well as our Associate Resource Groups and leaders across the organization. We’ve also expanded our People & Culture team with two new members. That collective effort is what allows us to move from ideas to meaningful, enterprise-wide impact. Over the past year, we’ve built strong momentum, enhancing our culture, advancing engagement and expanding opportunities for growth and development.

This year, we’re focused on translating that momentum into even greater consistency, clarity and impact, while continuing to enhance our already strong foundation as a Great Place to Work®. We are continuing to modernize how we work, simplifying processes, enhancing HR technology and creating more seamless experiences for our associates and leaders. This helps ensure we are not only efficient, but also intuitive and supportive in how our people experience HR.

One area I’m especially energized about is leadership development. We are expanding opportunities for leaders at all levels to build the skills and mindset needed to lead effectively in a dynamic and growing organization, equipping them to create clarity, build trust, advance inclusion and learning, and translate strategy into action. We’re also advancing how we think about talent development and are bringing greater structure and consistency to talent reviews, succession planning and career pathways. This ensures we are developing our people with intention and aligning individual growth with the future needs of the organization.

What are you looking forward to in 2026 and beyond? 

What excites me most about our future is not just what we’re building, but how we’re building it. I look forward to continuing our People and Culture journey through a holistic lens, strengthening the systems, relationships and everyday practices that help our associates and our organization thrive. When you combine strong partnerships, clear strategy and a shared commitment to people, you create an environment where individuals can grow, teams can thrive and the organization can deliver on its mission in a meaningful way.

Our focus is on weaving inclusion and belonging organically into how we lead, learn, develop and work together, ensuring these values are infused into every touchpoint of the associate experience. I’m excited to deepen the impact of our ARGs, expand mentorship and development opportunities, and create learning experiences that build capability, confidence and connection across the enterprise. As we support leaders through change and empower associates to flourish, we will continue nurturing the culture that earned us Great Place to Work® recognition, maintaining it, enhancing it and elevating it as we grow. 

Ultimately, our future is about advancing a People and Culture strategy that strengthens our foundation, empowers our people and positions Navitus for an even brighter future.