Fidel Lara, SPHR

Head of Human Resources

Cupertino, California, United States

About

Sr. HR professional with 22 years’ experience in HR Management. Roles include Director, Global HR Business Partner, Project Manager, and Consultant in public, private, and startup companies. Arenas include high tech, biotech, higher education, and agricultural/wine industry. Strong business acumen, emotional intelligence, project management, and leadership skills acquired through strategic support of R&D, Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing, and G&A business units. Cross-functional collaboration experience managing teams locally and across time zones building business partnerships. Adept at working in matrixed organizations. Excellent communication, presentation, coaching, and influencing skills with flexibility to be strategic or tactical in fast-paced, fast-growth environments. Proficient in making timely, effective, ethics-based decisions. Working knowledge of federal and state employment law, organized labor, and DEI initiatives. Ample experience partnering, coaching, and consulting with business leaders in support of business strategies and corporate objectives. Able to travel as needed. AREAS OF EXPERTISE: • Building/Supporting HR/Business Infrastructure • HRIS/ATS Management • Workforce Planning • Recruitment • Compensation • Retention • Training • Staff Development • Succession Planning • Performance Management • Employee and Labor Relations • Project Management • Benefits • Contract Management • Budget Management • Immigration • Pre/Post IPO Due Diligence • M&A • Risk Management • Facilities Management • OSHA • ADA • DE&I initiatives

Experience

  • Head of Human Resources, US at PingPong
    May 2022 - Sep 2022 · 5 mos

  • Human Resources Director at Ridge Vineyards
    Apr 2019 - Apr 2022 · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • Sr. HR and Business Operations Consultant, Sr. Project Manager at Accelerated Business Consulting
    Jul 2013 - Apr 2019 · 5 yrs 10 mos

    HR and Business Operations Consultant for private, public, and startup companies in the Silicon Valley and Southern California. Director, HR and Business Operations. Yotascale, Inc., ( High Tech Startup) 01/19-04/19 HR Consultant, Organizational Development and Talent Acquisition. ARYAKA Networks (High Tech startup) 01/18-12/18 HR Director. Big Switch Networks Inc. (High Tech startup) 09/2016-10/2017 Managed Talent Acquisition, Immigration, Benefits, and Training processes HR Consultant, Business Operations Consultant: CM Focus (SAS Salesforce) 10/2015-09/2016 HR Director, Sr. Project Mgr.: Guardant Health Inc. (Biotech Startup). 07/2013-10/2015 Built HR infrastructure. Managed Talent Acquisition and Employee Relations. Managed $7M HQ Facility Build process from concept to completion. On schedule, at Budget. Sr. HR Consultant: Private School Risk Management and Insurance Services, Inc. 02/2010-05/2021.

  • Sr. Global HR Business Partner at Gigamon
    Apr 2011 - Jul 2013 · 2 yrs 4 mos

  • Director HR and Business Operations, Founding Partner at Curtis and David Winery
    Jan 2006 - Oct 2011 · 5 yrs 10 mos