Last updated on March 3rd, 2024 at 5:22pm
Meet Casey, our Head of People Operations at Kion, who discusses supporting our workforce, manager training, making connections, and her love for Jean Grey.
How long have you been at Kion, and how did you find the company?
I started at Kion at the beginning of October 2023.
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 the Head of People Operations, I manage and progress the HR department at Kion. This includes supporting our employees' development, engagement, and well-being and developing and implementing People Ops strategies that support our business objectives.
I’m most passionate about ensuring our employees love working for Kion. When people love what they do and where they work and feel that their leadership is looking out for their best interests, they are more engaged and productive in their roles. I love that I can be a part of that!
Like any other role, the POps team has its own tech stack! From our Human Resource Information System (HRIS), compensation tools, recruiting software, communications tools, etc., the POps team uses a number of tools to help us be more efficient in our roles.
What are you currently working on that you’re excited about?
I’m currently working on a number of initiatives, but I’m most excited about manager training and development. Kion wants to ensure that our managers have the tools and resources to lead their teams successfully and help create an environment where everyone can thrive.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to and why?
Relationship building and storytelling. My ability to build relationships is crucial in my role. Our people need to feel a sense of trust and safety with their POps team, and the only way to develop that is through building strong relationships across the company. And one way to build relationships is through storytelling! People remember stories better than data or facts. Storytelling fosters a sense of community and promotes engagement and a deeper, more emotional connection.
How do you prefer to start your day?
I like to start my day with a cup of coffee and a good workout! When I physically feel good, I find that I’m mentally able to focus and connect to my work.
Which benefits are your favorite and why?
We have an amazing benefits package at Kion, so it’s hard to pick one. It's not exactly a traditional benefit, but I’d probably say my favorite is that we are a remote-first company. This has allowed us to bring in talent from all over the country! As a working mom, remote-first provides me with more time to be present with my family while also pursuing my professional goals. I’m a big advocate for remote opportunities.
What keeps you busy outside of work hours?
I love to read and write. I’m a huge book nerd, and I hope to write my own work of fiction someday soon!
If you could snap your fingers and become a superhero, what power would you have and why?
As a redhead, I’m a big Jean Grey fan. So, if I could become a superhero, I’d want powers like hers: telekinesis and telepathy. I’d want my power to be based in my mind and my ability to make connections with people.
What's the best advice you've ever received, and who was it from?
“Practice Patience. It will make you a better friend, partner, and leader.” -my mentor and dear friend, Dr. Allen Sell
About the Author
Ashley Camara
Ashley is a People Operations Specialist at Kion.
