Chrissie (Rich) Wachter
Chrissie (she/her) is an openly transgender Private Equity Executive who has held global Operating Company, Strategic Platform and Corporate Leadership roles developing and implementing benchmark human capital systems and processes to develop high potential leaders, build and engage teams, recruit and develop talent; drive organization effectiveness, facilitate organization change and integrate acquisitions.
Chrissie has trained, coached, and mentored students through C-Suite executives and recruited General Management and Human Resources talent at Michigan Ross and other top 10 US Business Programs. Chrissie led the development of, and facilitated, the first suite of Danaher Leadership Development Programs for Danaher’s Executives, Global Leaders, and High Potentials.
Under Chrissie’s leadership, Videojet Technologies, a Danaher Company, was recognized as a “Best and Brightest Company To Work For” by the National Association of Business Resources and “Top 101 Companies in the US”. Videojet was also recognized as a “Best and Brightest Company To Work For” in Chicago earning an “Elite Award”, for “Employee Achievement and Recognition”. Videojet’s success in building a positive workplace culture was also recognized by Corp! Magazine.
A keynote speaker and roundtable leader at national Human Resources Leadership Conferences, Chrissie was recognized as a 2020 “Top 50 HR Professional” by her peers earning the “ONCON ICON” award for Human Resources. Since 2019 Chrissie guest lectures at Ross on M&A Strategy in partnership with Professor Brian Wu. She previously conducted interviewing skills workshops for MBA students and admissions faculty at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Business.
After working for Danaher Corporation from 2000-2020, Chrissie joined Gryphon Investors where she led and reorganized the Human Resources practice and has supported developing Human Capital leaders and organization capabilities at multiple portfolio companies primarily in the Health Care/Medical and Industrial Groups. Chrissie is also the Vice President of Programming and Outreach serving on the board of a Chicago area Gender support group is a member of the Human Rights Campaign as she is increasing focus on giving back to young adults, aspiring leaders, and supporting the LBGTQIA+ Community.