Paloma Thombley

VP, People Experience at Wikimedia

San Francisco Bay Area

About

Experienced HR and Talent leader with deep experience scaling rapidly growing startups. Passionate about helping leaders build high performing and highly connected teams, creating values-aligned cultures, and building the right processes and structures for scale - to get ahead of the things that may break, before they happen.

Experience

  • VP, People Experience at Wikimedia Foundation
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

    Overseeing the global People Experience at the Wikimedia Foundation

  • Advisor at PeopleTech Partners
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

  • Handshake (5 yrs 8 mos)
    • Advisor
      Sep 2024 - Jan 2025 · 5 mos

    • Chief Human Resources Officer
      Jan 2022 - Sep 2024 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      Leading the People and Talent functions at Handshake through our rapid growth over the past 4+ years. Built a best-in-class HRBP function (from 0-7) to support leaders and the growth of the business, as well as scaling the HR and Talent functions from 10 to 35. Guided the organization through significant change including a values refresh, leadership transitions, and strategic global expansion.

    • Senior Director, People
      Mar 2021 - Jan 2022 · 11 mos

  • Director, People Operations at Nuna Inc.
    May 2016 - May 2019 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    First official HR hire - built and evolved core HR and cultural processes to allow for internal development, engagement, and retention of employees, as well as dotted-line management of Recruiting team during period of high company growth (85-170 employees).

  • International Benefits at Qualcomm
    Jan 2014 - May 2016 · 2 yrs 5 mos

    Responsible for the management of benefits in over 40 international locations, including insurance renewals, benchmarking, and program/policy implementation and development. Partner on various special projects relating to HRIS, leaves, global policies and procedures, and M&A. Develop interpersonal relationships with HR partners, international brokers, and consultants that result in strong and efficient solutions. Work closely with Finance, Legal, and HR (as well as external vendors) to deliver results that align with Qualcomm's international benefits philosophy and governance structure.