Kara Polk
HR & Strategy Advisor | Startup Consultant | People Ops Leader | Fractional CHRO | Organizational Psychologist
- Role
- Chief Human Resources Officer at The Knight School
- Location
- Austin, TX, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Kara Polk
As a strategic HR and operations leader with a background in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, I bring over a decade of experience driving business growth through people-centered solutions. After leading cross-functional teams and overseeing P&L ownership in the tech sector, I now focus on helping early-stage and growth-focused businesses scale effectively.I currently serve as Chief Human Resource Officer for The Knight School America, a multi-state franchise where I lead people strategy, HR compliance, and organizational design. I also provide consulting for startups on talent architecture, team effectiveness, and operational infrastructure.I specialize in:1. Strategic HR & Organizational Development2. Startup & Franchise Growth Support3. Talent Strategy & Culture Design4. Operational Efficiency & Business Scaling5. Leadership Coaching & People AnalyticsMy approach blends evidence-based psychology with practical, results-driven execution to help founders and operators build resilient, high-performing teams. I enjoy working with mission-driven companies and advising entrepreneurs through growth and change.
Experience
Chief Human Resources Officer
Sep 2024 — Present · Austin, TX, US
Lead HR strategy, compliance, and organizational development for a multi-state after-school chess franchise with 40+ part-time staff and a franchise brand with 32+ locations and a growing national footprint- Advise on talent acquisition, onboarding, and retention in a high-growth franchise environment- Implement scalable people operations and employee relations infrastructure- Collaborate with co-owners on strategic planning, training, and operational execution- Serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership on culture, performance, and legal risk mitigation
Education
Texas Christian University
Bachelor's Degree, Psychology Major; Child Development Minor
2010 — 2014
University of Houston
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Industrial and Organizational Psychology
2015 — 2019
Clear Creek High School
High School
2006 — 2010
University of Houston
Master of Arts - MA, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
2015 — 2017
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