People operations
10 heads of people
These ten heads of people hold or have held a Head of People title, or a variant such as Head of People & Culture, in their own work histories. Readers can learn how a head of people builds the HR function, works with leadership on culture and talent, and scales people operations as a company grows.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ann V. Hong
LinkedInExperience: Head of People & Culture, North America · Stillfront
Head of People & Culture, North America at Stillfront since 2024, and HR Consultant at P&A Advisory since 2024. Convoso roles are Head of People Operations (2024) and Director of Human Resources (2021–2024); also Head Of Human Resources (US) at Netmarble (2020–2021). The profile describes helping organizations scale, restructure and navigate M&A while driving global HR strategy across gaming, SaaS and tech.
Deepika G
LinkedInExperience: Global Head of People & Culture · Dropsuite- A NinjaOne company
Global Head of People & Culture at Dropsuite- A NinjaOne company since 2024. LRQA roles are Global Head of HR, VP-Human Resources (2023–2024) and Global Head of HR, Director-Human Resources (2022–2024); other roles include HR Leader at DECATHLON HONG KONG (2020–2022) and Head of HR, Asia at Agorize (2018–2020). The profile lists M&A integration and org scaling and describes building HR functions that CEOs and boards treat as a growth lever.
Delia Lobo
LinkedInExperience: Head of People and Culture · Fuze Finance
Head of People and Culture at Fuze Finance since 2024. Other roles include HR Operations Lead at Astra Tech (2023–2024), Director of People & Culture at cashew (2022–2023) and HR Manager HR Business Partner at BitOasis (2017–2021). The profile describes building HR from 0 to 10 in fintech, Web3 and high-growth tech, scaling startups within fintech (crypto and payments) and creating people strategies that fuel business growth.
Francesca Petronio
LinkedInExperience: Head of People · Expert.ai
Head of People at Expert.ai since 2020. The profile describes being part of the executive leadership team and responsible for developing and implementing the company's People & Organization strategy in support of its mid-term strategic direction. Other roles include HR Project Manager at Randstad (2008–2011) and Senior Training Consultant at Randstad HR Services Srl (2011).
Kristen Hayward
LinkedInExperience: SVP, Head of People & Operations · Superhuman Mail
SVP, Head of People & Operations at Superhuman Mail since 2022. Other Superhuman Mail roles are SVP, Head of People (2021–2022), VP, Head of People Recruiting (2020–2021) and Interim Head of Talent (2019–2020); also Advisor at PeopleTech Partners since 2020. The profile describes a people executive focused on building, empowering and retaining diverse, high-performing, inclusive and mission-driven teams.
Niharika Karwa
LinkedInExperience: Head of People & Culture · Palo Alto Labs
Head of People & Culture at Palo Alto Labs since 2025. Other roles include Senior People Business Partner at SingleStore (2025), Senior Leader - Human Resources at UST (2022–2025) and Human Resources Specialist at ClimateWorks Foundation (2019–2020). The profile describes partnering with senior leadership across India and Singapore and translating business priorities into workforce strategies and operating models.
Nirali Shah Matalia
LinkedInExperience: Head of People · Chorus
Head of People at Chorus since 2026. Other roles include Chief People Officer & Interim Head of Operations at Decision Minds (2024–2026) and Vice President, Global Head - Operations & People at Astraa (2022–2024), as well as Advisory Board Member at Rocket Lawyer since 2015 and Company Advisor at SaaS Research since 2018.
Stephanie Zau
LinkedInExperience: Head of People · Vanta
Head of People at Vanta since 2026. Other Vanta roles are Senior Director, People Business Partners & Programs (2025–2026), where the profile describes leading the global People Business Partner, Talent Management and People Enablement teams; Director, People Business Partner (2022–2025); and Senior People Business Partner (2022). Also People Business Partner at Robinhood (2020–2022).
Tricia Mullinax, PHR
LinkedInExperience: Head of People · Waabi
Head of People at Waabi, which the profile describes as pioneering physical AI starting with autonomous trucks, since 2024. Uber roles include Director, Mergers & Acquisitions (2023–2024), Senior HR Business Partner - Tech (2022–2023), Sr Manager, Strategic Initiatives (2021–2022) and HR Business Partner - Tech (2018–2021).
Veronica Curran
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Global Head of People & Culture Operations · Flywire
Former Vice President, Global Head of People & Culture Operations at Flywire (2019–2020), and Chief People Officer at Couchbase since 2026. Other roles are Founder & Managing Partner at Magnolia People Solutions LLC (2024–2026), Chief People and Culture Officer at SmartBear (2022–2024) and Chief People Officer at Alumni Ventures (2020–2022).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's company size and stage to yours, since building a first HR function differs from running people operations for a large global workforce. Check whether their listed roles lean toward business partnering, recruiting, operations or culture, and ask about the part that matches your decision.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What should a first head of people own in the first six months at a growing company?
- 02How do you decide which HR processes, such as performance reviews and compensation bands, to formalize first?
- 03How do you work with the CEO and leadership team on culture when the company is scaling quickly?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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