Havonnah W.

About Havonnah W.

As Regional HR Director and strategic thought partner to the Regional Vice President, I oversee people strategy supporting employees across 840 stores in one of Starbucks’ most complex regions.I lead large-scale workforce performance, employee relations, leadership development, and culture transformation initiatives directly aligned to operational results across a high-volume retail portfolio. With more than 20 years of experience spanning HR, communications, and operations, I operate as a senior business partner to translating enterprise strategy into measurable gains in retention, engagement, and operational stability.Throughout my career, I have led multi-state and high-complexity environments, building strong HR leadership pipelines while advancing both financial and cultural performance.Before Starbucks, I held senior HR roles at McDonald’s Corporation, as a Global HR Business Partner, The National Director of Talent & Strategy and a Regional People Officer for a $5 billion business across multiple states. There, I made history by embedding people and values expectations into the franchising agreement, earning the 2022 U.S. Circle of Excellence Award. This achievement reflects my commitment to aligning strategy with humanity, creating workplaces where teams thrive and business outcomes soar.I’m known for my ability to build trust quickly, inspire leaders to embrace bold ideas, and craft narratives that unite organizations around a shared vision. Balancing EQ with sharp business acumen, I drive impact with warmth, humor, and authenticity because real transformation happens when strategy meets heart.Beyond the office, I serve on the board of the L.A. Youth and Family Foundation. I am deeply committed to leadership development and community service as a member of the Tea Rose Foundation and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. I am a lifelong learner, with a BA in Communication from Clark Atlanta University, plus advanced HR certifications from The Wharton School and Cornell University.Before HR, I spent over a decade as a broadcast journalist across the South, sharpening my storytelling skills, which I now use to help leaders craft powerful, purpose-driven stories that move teams and fuel change.At the core, I believe impactful leadership blends sharp strategy with genuine connection and a little bit

Experience

1. Director, Partner Resources (HR)

   Starbucks

   May 2024 — Present · Long Beach, CA, US

   I don’t just support the business; I help lead it through its people.Turning strategy into culture and people into performance in one of the most competitive markets in the country.As a HR Director at Starbucks, I lead people strategy across Southern and Central California, a high-impact region where expectations are high and transformation is constant. I help the business turn complexity into clarity by aligning talent, leadership, and culture with long-term growth.In a turnaround environment, I’ve partnered closely with senior leaders to reignite performance, rebuild trust, and re-center the partner experience. From organizational design and leadership development to DEI integration and workforce planning, I take a hands-on, data-informed approach that drives meaningful cultural and business outcomes for more than people across 820 coffeehouses. I lead with empathy, coach with purpose, and move with urgency. My focus is helping organizations evolve by unlocking the full potential of their people, one decision, one leader, one team at a time.

Education

• UC Santa Barbara

  Communication

• Clark Atlanta University

  B.A Communications, Journalism

• The Wharton School

  CHRO Certification

• Cornell University

  Strategic HR Leadership , Human Resources Management

  2020