Meet BigPanda Chief People Officer Caitlin Davis

BigPanda is excited to welcome Caitlin Davis as its new chief people officer. Caitlin brings vast experience leading human-resources departments of fast-growing and innovative technology companies. At BigPanda, she leads the strategic direction of the HR team, overseeing talent acquisition and all people operations-related programs.

Caitlin’s mission is to provide an engaging employee experience and create a best-in-class workplace through strategic partnerships with executive leadership. Learn more about Caitlin’s story, her perspective on career development, and advice for those seeking people-related roles.

Q: Why did you choose to join BigPanda?

The incredibly smart leadership team at BigPanda resonates with me. I’m excited to partner with the team, brainstorm strategies, and determine how we can improve together. I instantly felt like my approach was a great match for how BigPanda leaders think about the employees and the company’s goals.

Q: What are you working on now that most inspires you?

I’m excited about implementing clear career development paths through career ladders within BigPanda. We can give our employees transparency about where they are today and identify the criteria or competencies relevant for other job levels in their function. We want to encourage conversations between employees and managers about the direction of their career journeys. Establishing these pathways may seem simple, but employees need a clear understanding of their current position and the potential routes for advancement. It’s like having a map to navigate from point A to point B.

Q: What is the one thing you are working to improve based on employee feedback?

Career development is a significant focus within our organization. We’ve identified a need to assist employees in communicating effectively with managers. Our emphasis on direct communication is paramount: People sometimes need guidance to articulate their thoughts. To address this, we offer coaching sessions for both employees and managers, fostering the ability to engage in candid, productive conversations without discomfort. As employees progress along their career paths, this skill becomes increasingly valuable in discussing goals and projects with their managers.

Q: How do you align HR strategies with BigPanda business goals and objectives?

BigPanda is in a revitalization and growth phase. We are ensuring that our people programs provide robust support throughout this journey. This support entails validating that employees feel valued and acknowledged through engagement surveys, appropriately compensated through our total rewards program, and equipped with the necessary development opportunities offered by our evolving career ladders.

Q: What are some key learnings you’ve gathered throughout your career?

Self-awareness is key in determining the right fit for your career. You have to honestly assess the aspects of your work that bring you joy and energy. And you need to identify your strengths and areas in which you may not excel. This self-reflection helps ensure you’re in a role that aligns with your skills and passions.

Additionally, being direct and providing timely feedback is crucial in fostering personal and professional growth, whether as a leader or team member. I personally adhere to a 24-hour rule for delivering feedback. I aim to have these conversations — whether it’s a highlight or improvement opportunity — in the moment rather than waiting for the next review cycle or 1:1. This strategy helps individuals continually improve and excel in their roles.

Q: What advice would you give someone looking to become an executive of a people team?

First of all, leading a people team is the most fun job. For those considering a career in the people field, I recommend using informational interviews to gain insights into the facets of people-related roles, including recruiting, learning and development, total rewards, people operations, and HR business partnering.

While there isn’t a specific educational path for entering this field, you need empathy, a genuine interest in working with people, and a desire to support others. You could also check out an extension program through your local college or university for an “Essentials in Human Resources” course to learn more about the function and see if it would be a good fit.