Our Kioneers are the heart of who we are. Passionate, curious, and always ready to make an impact. Today, I’m stepping out from behind the curtain and sharing my story!

I’m Ashley Camara, People Operations Manager, and my journey at Kion embodies our culture of connection, growth, and people-first leadership. From building programs that celebrate our team to shaping the employee experience behind the scenes, I’m proud to help create a workplace where every Kioneer feels supported, valued, and inspired to thrive.

How long have you been at Kion and how did you find the company?

I’ve been with Kion since November 15, 2021. Almost four years (OMG!). I was one of the very lucky few who had the chance to work with this incredible team back in our Status Solutions days. After staying on through multiple acquisitions, I eventually moved on from Stratus (then Applied Insight). But not long after, specifically 2 days ❤️, Kion reached out and asked if I’d be interested in coming onboard. I jumped at the opportunity! I couldn’t wait to reconnect with the team and see how things had evolved since those early days!

Tell us about your role at Kion, what you’re most passionate about in your role, and a bit about the tools and skills used in your role.

As our People Operations Manager, on a very small People Operations/Operations team, I get to wear many hats. From overseeing onboarding and benefits to driving culture initiatives, supporting payroll processes, and partnering cross-functionally on everything from employee relations to training. I love that no two days look the same and that my work directly impacts how our employees experience Kion from the moment they join us.

What I’m most passionate about is creating a people-first culture where everyone feels supported, seen, and empowered to do their best work. Whether that’s through meaningful programs, transparent communication, or a simple act of kindness that brightens someone’s day.

Our small but mighty team relies on a variety of tools to keep everything running smoothly, including BambooHR, Carta, Ramp, Greenhouse, Notion, and, of course, our Bestie (ChatGPT)… plus a few well-organized spreadsheets for good measure. My role blends strategy, empathy, and process, and that balance is exactly what makes People Ops at Kion so special.

What are you currently working on that you’re excited about?

Right now, I’m focused on several People Ops initiatives that make Kion an even better place to work. From launching our first-ever People Ops blog, “Inside Kion,” to refining our benefits strategy for 2026, ensuring equity and transparency across the board, there’s a lot to be excited about!

I recently partnered with leadership to create a Total Rewards Overview that helps employees truly see the full value of what they receive beyond just their paycheck. And for the super fun stuff… I’m diving into state tax accounts and building SOPs for everything we manage, because who doesn’t love a little process improvement? 😄

I love connecting the dots between people, processes, and purpose. Making sure every Kioneer feels supported and proud to be part of our journey. It’s incredibly rewarding to build programs that celebrate our people, highlight their stories, and reinforce the culture that makes Kion so special. (And yes… I’m documenting everything along the way!)

What part of our mission resonates with you most?

The part that resonates most with me is the idea of simplifying complexity because that’s exactly what we strive to do every day in People Ops. While our product makes the cloud easier to manage, POps focuses on making the employee lifecycle of work simple, seamless, yet meaningful.

Whether it’s refining processes, improving benefits, or creating clarity through documentation and communication, I love helping people spend less time navigating red tape and more time doing meaningful work. At Kion, we’re all about removing obstacles {for our customers and our employees} and that shared mission is what keeps me so connected to the work we do.

What is it like working on the People Operations team?

Working on a team of two means we get the incredible benefit of not being confined to a single specialty. Instead, we get to learn the ins and outs of the entire business. We’re true generalists (or Kion SMEs, if you will!) who cover a lot of ground. For example, we’re currently partnering with Marketing on a project. Giving me the chance to learn how their team operates and collaborate on ways to improve our processes. How lucky am I?

More regularly, we get to call ourselves recruiters, event planners, facilities managers, and even accountants. We truly do it all! It’s a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment that constantly challenges us to think creatively, build processes from the ground up, and wear many hats, often all in the same day.

That’s one of the most rewarding parts of being in People Ops at Kion: having the opportunity to see how every piece of the business connects and knowing that our work touches every single Kioneer in some way.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to and why?

If I had to narrow it down, I’d say my success comes from curiosity, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.

Curiosity keeps me asking why and how. It’s what helps me uncover better ways to support our people and improve our processes. Empathy reminds me that behind every policy, request, or Slack message, there’s a person with their own story and needs. And helping others succeed, whether it’s a new hire navigating their first week or a teammate juggling multiple priorities, is what truly drives me.

I’ve learned that success in People Ops isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening, learning, and lifting others up along the way.

How do you prefer to start your day?

I wish I had a choice in how I start my day! The reality is, I have a toddler. This means he decides when we wake up, when we eat breakfast, when we get ready, and when I finally get to make my glorious, extra-strong latte.

It’s a bit of beautiful chaos, but once the coffee kicks in and the morning routine settles, I’m ready to take on whatever the day throws my way.

What’s one thing you’re learning right now, and why is it important?

I’m currently studying to sit for my SHRM-SCP and SPHR exams later this year. These senior-level certifications represent the next step in my professional growth and will deepen my expertise in strategic HR leadership.

It’s important to me because People Operations is always evolving and I want to continue growing right along with it. By investing in my own development, I can bring even more value to our team and continue building the kind of culture that makes Kion such a great place to work.

What has your experience been with our company culture?

Kion’s remote-first and flexible culture has been truly life-changing for me. This company has given me the space to prioritize what matters most. Family! Without ever feeling like I had to compromise my career. If it weren’t for Kion, I wouldn’t have been able to spend the last year of my grandmother’s life by her side, caring for her and proudly naming her our honorary ‘Granny Kioneer.’

The same culture has allowed me to raise my son at home, bringing in part-time help when needed instead of sending him to daycare. A balance that most parents can only dream of. We have the freedom to step away mid-day to get outside for a walk, run an errand, or even throw in a load of laundry. I can’t tell you how many times my manager has told me to take a nap when my toddler goes down (after a night of sleep training, no doubt!) or encouraged me to squeeze in a workout. How amazing is that?

And when I faced one of the hardest moments of my life, an unexpected late-term miscarriage, my Kion family showed up with genuine compassion. They sent cards, gifts, and heartfelt messages that reminded me that love truly flows through this company.

When we say we’re a people-first organization, we mean it. At Kion, we don’t just support work–life balance; we support life. And that’s what makes this place feel like family.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations?

It might sound cliché, but truly, some of my biggest inspirations have been the managers and leaders I’ve had the privilege to work with throughout my career. Each one has taught me something unique. Whether it was how to lead with empathy, stay calm under pressure, or grow with confidence. Their guidance has shaped so much of who I am professionally.

Outside of work, my family continues to inspire me every single day. My siblings, my parents, and my extremely hard-working husband. They remind me what resilience, love, and balance look like, and they push me to keep showing up as the best version of myself, both personally and professionally.

What’s your favorite Slack channel at Kion?

Right now, it’s definitely #fellow-pelotonian! I know I’ve been living under a rock, but I finally joined the Peloton world, and I’m completely obsessed. The channel is all about motivation, accountability, and a little friendly competition, which I love.

My current mission? To kick off an unofficial workout challenge to carry us through to Thanksgiving! It’s such a fun way to stay connected, support each other, and keep moving. Even when we’re all riding/running/lifting solo from our homes.

What keeps you busy outside of work hours?

All things DIY! My home was built in the fabulous ’80s, and my husband and I are slowly renovating and updating it, room by room. It’s definitely a labor of love (and plenty of sweat), but seeing each transformation makes it so worth it in the long run.

I think the team might actually be over me posting our endless projects in the #home-improvement Slack channel… but I just can’t help it! It’s too fun not to share the progress. 😅

What’s your most recently played song?

“I Always Wanted a Brother” from the Mufasa soundtrack! 🎶 My son and I are currently obsessed with the entire album. It’s basically on repeat in our house (and car). There’s something really special about sharing music with him, especially when it’s as fun and meaningful as this one.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who was it from?

It’s nothing fancy, but it’s something a friend once shared with me about relationships. And honestly, it’s stuck with me ever since. She told me that her relationship didn’t start to change until she realized she had to wake up every day and make the conscious decision to choose her spouse.

That spoke volumes to me. Relationships, whether with a partner, family, or even colleagues, all take effort and intention. I remind myself of this often, especially on tough days or when we’re not seeing eye to eye. It’s a simple mindset shift that’s made such a lasting impact on how I show up in all areas of my life.

What’s one thing that always makes you laugh?

Old comedies. Hands down! Movies like Ace Ventura and Billy Madison get me every time. No matter how many times I’ve seen them, the humor never gets old. Sometimes, you just can’t beat a good dose of ’90s ridiculousness to turn your day around.