Kara Deschenes

About Kara Deschenes

I am a strategic people leader who establishes and implements full human resources programming for organizations. I hold the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential and am a member of SHRM\'s Executive Network, demonstrating my commitment to the HR profession and its advancement. I am passionate about creating a positive and productive work culture that fosters talent performance and innovation.As the Head of Human Resources at Bamboo Insurance, a fast-growing and expanding insurance company, I have increased the headcount by 200% in two years, reduced turnover by almost 20%, cut organizational benefits costs by 10%, implemented a performance management platform and feedback loop process, developed a consistent talent acquisition process, administered progressive employee relations programming, and performed a compensation study and review. On top of that, Bamboo Insurance is an IBA Top Employer, an SLT Top Workplace and has made Inc. Fastest Growing Business list for the past two years. I leverage HRIS implementations and functional HRBP support to align HR and operational objectives, and use data-driven and analytical HR supports to drive change and improvement.

Experience

1. Head of Human Resources

   Bamboo Insurance

   Jun 2022 — Present

   Strategic people leadership to establish and implement full human resource programming for organization.• Grow organization headcount 200% in two-year period, including rapid growth periods.• Reduce voluntary turnover in organization from 23.3% to 5.8% in a two-year period. • Achieve Insurance Business America Top Employers 2024, Top Workplaces awards for Salt Lake Tribune 2024, and Inc. Fastest Growing Company in America 2023 & 2024. • Provide leadership on all aspects of organizational effectiveness, including performance management, onboarding, coaching, employee relations, talent assessment, employee culture and engagement.• Implement full-cycle performance management platform and roll-out feedback loop process including training.• Establish an employee engagement strategy and work to establish culture, value, and ethics.• Build and execute career growth for entry-level employees including development tiers.• Perform compensation study and review to ensure pay equity, market relevance, and competitiveness for salary package at all levels. Recommend adjustments, where necessary.• Lead company focus on employee mental health – including introduction of annual ‘Wellbeing Days’ and supervisor training to support employees with mental health needs. • Reduce benefit costs to organization by 10%, resulting in savings passed through to employees.• Lead employee relations’ efforts, including progressive discipline, terminations and supportive measures.• Perform HRIS RFP and selection to ultimately implement new HRIS meeting current business needs.

Education

• University of Florida

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

• University of Florida

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, English