Cara SPHR's Email Addresses & Phone Numbers

I'm a proven leader who has successfully built People functions in fast growing companies. I partner with senior leadership to craft progressive HR solutions in support of business goals and implement programs that attract and retain top talent while creating world class cultures.

I'm a proven leader who has successfully built People functions in fast growing companies. I partner with senior leadership to craft progressive HR solutions in support of business goals and implement programs that attract and retain top talent while creating world class cultures.

I've owned both HR and Recruiting and have executed on both fronts.

I've founded 4 successful HR departments and managed 3 company acquisitions. In doing so, I have aligned HR strategy with strategic business needs, developed departmental roadmaps and grown HR/Recruiting teams from scratch in order to achieve aggressive growth targets while maintaining high levels of employee engagement. In addition, I have established innovative policies and procedures, managed benefits and compensation and implemented HR platforms (HRIS, Applicant Tracking Systems, Performance Management Systems). I have coached all levels of management and served as a partner to C-level executives in venture backed companies.

Currently directing HR + Recruiting function at Planet Labs. Founded HR function at Pinterest. Company grew from 20 to 180+ during my tenure.

Previously founded and led HR at Context Optional, Inc. with company growth from 15 employees to 100+ employees and sale at reported $50 million and subsequent combined acquisition with Efficient Frontier by Adobe Systems for an estimated $500 million.

Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Master's Degree in Organization Development.

Member of Board of Advisors for non-profit World Savvy which educates and engages youth in community and world affairs, to learn, work and thrive as responsible global citizens in the 21st century.

Specialties:

Organization Development

Employee Relations

Benefit Administration

Training and Development

Recruitment

Performance Management

Legal Compliance

Start ups

Venture Capital/Venture Backed Companies

High growthAdvisor @ Strategic advisor to technology company changing the employee experience related to parental leave. From 2015 to Present (less than a year) Seatlle, WADirector of People (HR and Recruiting) @ Establishing and leading the HR/Recruiting function with a strong team of talent professionals. Oversee people and processes for 300+ employees with locations in San Francisco, Berlin and Canada plus other development offices.

About us:

We care deeply about creating positive change and commercial value. Space and information technologies are our tools.

From our home in San Francisco, we design, build and operate a network of satellites that we call “Doves.” In January 2014, we delivered Flock 1, the world’s largest constellation of Earth-imaging satellites, made up of 28 Doves. Together with subsequent launches, we have launched 120+ Doves, toward imaging the entire Earth, every day.

Planet creates commercial and humanitarian value with the market's most capable global imaging network. Fresh data from any place on Earth is foundational to solving commercial, environmental, and humanitarian challenges. Our global sensing and analytics platform unlocks the ability to understand and respond to change at a local and global scale. From June 2014 to Present (1 year 5 months) San Francisco Bay AreaAdvisor @ Strategic advisor to technology company revolutionizing the feedback process in organizations. From 2014 to Present (1 year) San Francisco Bay AreaConsultant @ Adding value across fast growing technology companies.

Rothenberg Ventures: Established a Talent function which supported hiring across 50+ portfolio companies for successful seed investment firm.

Connery Consulting: Splice Machine: The Real Time SQL-on-Hadoop Database (InterWest, Mohr-Davidow), Sprig: Healthy meals to your door (Greylock).

Virool: Self service video advertising platform. (Y Combinator, DFJ, 500 Startups)

Academia.edu: Accelerating the world's scientific research. (Khosla Ventures)

Crowdtilt: Making it easy to pool funds. (Y Combinator, SV Angel, Andreessen Horowitz)

Crunchyroll: Streaming East Asian content. (Chernin Group)

SolarCity: Solar power for everyone. From July 2013 to June 2014 (1 year) San Francisco Bay AreaPartner, People Team (Human Resources) @ Started as a consultant, then hired full time to found Human Resources function.

Partnered with leadership to support strategic decision making.

Launched comprehensive new hire onboarding, employee survey, performance management program, revamped benefits and established key policies/employee handbook. From February 2012 to July 2013 (1 year 6 months) San FranciscoDirector of Global Human Resources @ Built talent and HR function of social media marketing platform company sold to Efficient Frontier at a reported $50mm and subsequent acquisition by Adobe.

Spearheaded re-organization of business in preparation for rapid growth. Developed comprehensive planning to allow company to scale quickly. Hired 50 top quality employees in 9 months from highly competitive social marketing/technology space.

Founded HR function. Implemented internal processes to ensure effective people management. Directed all elements related to the acquisition and development of talent for fast-growing social marketing firm.

Sit on the executive team and drive business decision making. From May 2010 to April 2012 (2 years) Director of Human Resources @ Founded and built HR department for fast paced, creative-driven direct marketing company. Managed through merger with Guthy Renker corporation in 2008. Led all elements of the Human Resources function including employee relations, benefits, training, legal compliance, recruitment, etc. From August 2007 to May 2010 (2 years 10 months) Consultant, Human Resources @ Served as mentor and advisor to newly appointed Human Resources Director and HR team for software start-up company. Guided founding of HR function and helped develop organization's HR capacity. From February 2007 to January 2009 (2 years) Director, Human Resources @ Director of Human Resources for the SF office of Young and Rubicam Brands which includes Y&R advertising agency and Wunderman direct marketing agency. Responsible for all areas of the HR function: recruitment, employee relations, training and deveopment, etc. Partnered with International Y&R corporate office out of NYC and manage Human Resources Representative on site. From February 2006 to July 2007 (1 year 6 months) Human Resources Manager @ Managed Human Resources function for 1000+ employee property (Contra Cost Times). Supervised 4 HR Representatives, 1 Recruiter and 1 HR Assistant. Partnered with VP of HR. Liaised with corporate HR at Knight Ridder headquarters in San Jose. From October 2001 to February 2006 (4 years 5 months) Administrator @ From September 2000 to September 2001 (1 year 1 month) Master’s Degree, Liberal Arts @ Stanford University From 2015 to 2018 Master’s Degree, HR and Organization Development @ University of San Francisco From 2002 to 2004 BA, English/Communication @ University of Kentucky From 1995 to 1999 Cara SPHR is skilled in: Employee Relations, Performance Management, Organizational..., Legal Compliance, Benefit Administration, Technical Recruiting, Recruitment/Retention, Recruiting, Talent Acquisition, Employee Training, Benefits Administration, Talent Management, Employee Benefits, Training, Personnel Management, Leadership, Human Resources, Management