Garrison Drake

About Garrison Drake

I’m an experienced Human Resources leader with over a decade of progressive…

Experience

1. People Operations Manager

   | GrayMatter |

   Feb 2019 — Present

   Oversee HR strategy and people operations for a private-equity-backed technology company with 300+ employees across the U.S, Canada, and India. Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team, aligning people strategy with business goals, growth targets, and operational performance.Built and scaled the HR function through multiple acquisitions and rapid expansion—growing from 100 to 300+ employees while maintaining engagement, culture, and compliance across all locations. Lead a team of HR professionals covering recruiting, business partnership, total rewards, and employee experience.Key highlights include- Directed integration of five acquisitions (20–65 employees each), managing due diligence, onboarding, and cultural alignment with <5% turnover post-close- Designed and implemented Paycor HRIS as a centralized platform for payroll, benefits, performance, and learning, enabling accurate reporting and automation- Partnered with leadership on organizational design and the launch of a career architecture framework to support internal mobility and transparent progression- Introduced transparent pay structures, salary ranges, and annual review cycles to ensure equity and competitiveness- Launched a modern performance management process emphasizing ongoing feedback and manager development- Spearheaded engagement and recognition programs that strengthened collaboration and retention across global teams.

Education

• Robert Morris University

  Bachelor's of Science