SheTech Interns Interview Kat Judd
Kat Judd’s unconventional path from law to HR leadership at Lucid Software highlights adaptability, risk-taking, and the power of aligning passion with professional purpose.
People & Culture
Kat Judd’s Career Pivot: Lessons from Law to HR Leadership
Kat Judd, Chief People Officer and Associate General Counsel at Lucid Software, plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s culture and people strategy. Lucid Software—known for its visual collaboration suite, including Lucidchart (diagramming), Lucidspark (whiteboarding), and Lucidscale (cloud visualization)—helps teams turn ideas into reality. Since joining in 2017, Judd has led a 40-person HR team, keeping people at the core of every decision.
“I have a truly incredible team who are experts at what they do, delegate effectively, and maintain a strong focus on people in everything we do,” said Judd.
Judd’s career began in employment law. After earning her J.D. from the University of Utah, she worked as a judicial law clerk for a federal judge. Though the law offered valuable experience, she quickly realized it wasn’t her long-term calling.
“I’m glad I practiced law—it taught me a lot. But I wanted to be in a role that allowed me to collaborate and solve problems daily,” she explained.
While she originally considered an MBA, misguidance from a college counselor steered her elsewhere. “I was told that an MBA wasn’t a great idea—that it would just be a repeat of my senior year and wouldn’t make me stand out to employers,” she recalls. With many friends preparing for the LSAT, she followed suit. Even during law school, though, she knew litigation wasn’t for her.
Still, her legal background proved indispensable. “Nobody’s career is a straight line. Along the way, you gain skills and figure out what excites you. You double down on that,” said Judd.
The opportunity to pivot came when Karl Sun, Lucid’s Co-Founder and Board Chair, reached out via LinkedIn in 2015. At the time, Judd was a partner at a law firm and had just had a baby. She wasn’t actively looking for a change. But the timing, while imperfect, was meaningful.
“His passion was contagious. The opportunity to build a people and culture department from the ground up excited me,” she recalls. That early conversation ultimately led to her joining Lucid in 2017.
Transitioning into HR was a major shift, but her legal background gave her an edge. “Law helps me see the legal considerations while balancing the need for empathy and accountability,” she said. That dual lens became especially valuable when navigating challenges like hybrid work policies and tax compliance across jurisdictions.
“I like to think of it as being a lighthouse—I can see further ahead, beyond just what’s right in front of me.”
Judd thrives on problem-solving, building strong relationships, and cultivating an engaging workplace. “Creating a company culture is exciting and challenging because the human element is rarely predictable,” she said. Her leadership centers around a simple motto: Make and keep commitments.
One of the most pivotal moments in her career came when she left law for HR while adjusting to life as a new mother. “The timing wasn’t ideal, but I knew it was the right move,” she shared.
Balancing personal and professional life remains a constant challenge, but she’s learned to embrace the ebb and flow. “Balance is a myth,” noted Judd. “You have to know when work takes priority—and when life does.”
She sets non-negotiables to stay grounded. One example: her monthly book club, which she protects on her calendar. She also credits her success to her partner’s unwavering support. “Utah’s Chief Justice Durham once said, ‘Get help where you can.’ That stuck with me. I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today without my husband’s support.”
If she could offer advice to her younger self, it would be simple: take more risks. “I’d tell myself to try different things earlier in my career, even if the timing isn’t perfect,” she said.
While her transition from law to tech was a major leap—especially with a newborn—she has no regrets. “It was the right move, but it makes me wonder what else I could have experienced had I been a little less cautious early on.”
Judd’s journey is a reminder that the most fulfilling careers are rarely linear—they’re shaped by courage, curiosity, and the willingness to pivot when it matters most.
Siya Jain and Rumaana Patel attend Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain, Utah. They actively participate in SheTech programs, including the SheTech-TechBuzz Media Internship for which they interview and write about Women Tech Awardees. Their work is published on TechBuzz News, Silicon Slopes, and other media channels.
Siya would like to become a successful entrepreneur. She always seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge of business and is committed to building her entrepreneurial skills through hands-on experiences like networking and education. In her school she serves as the SheTech president and student board member.
Rumaana is similarly passionate about technology and dreams of launching her own business. She is working toward a career in software engineering, taking advanced programming courses to strengthen her skills. Outside of coding, she has been dancing for eight years, a pursuit that fosters both discipline and joy. She also enjoys sketching and reading, which fuel her creativity and curiosity.