Kristine Garberding

Chief Partner in Play (aka CHRO) at Melissa & Doug, LLC

Professional Overview

Kristine Garberding is a seasoned human resources executive with over two decades of experience driving organizational transformation and people-centric strategies. As the Chief Partner in Play (CHRO) at Melissa & Doug, LLC, she leverages her deep expertise in human capital management to cultivate a vibrant, purpose-driven culture that empowers employees and fuels the company's growth.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Chief Partner in Play (CHRO) at Melissa & Doug, LLC, Kristine is responsible for shaping the company's talent strategy, overseeing employee engagement and development initiatives, and ensuring alignment between the organization's human capital and business objectives. Since joining the company in 2019, she has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative, innovative work environment that attracts and retains top industry talent.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Kristine held several senior HR leadership positions within the Nestlé organization, including Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer at Nestlé Waters and Chief Human Resources Officer at Nestlé Skin Health. She also gained valuable experience in various HR roles at Galderma, Cameron, Convergys, and Starbucks Coffee Company, where she consistently demonstrated her ability to drive organizational transformation and optimize human capital to support business success.

Throughout her career, Kristine has built a reputation as a strategic, people-focused leader who leverages data-driven insights to develop and implement innovative HR solutions. Her extensive background in the consumer goods, healthcare, and technology industries has equipped her with a well-rounded understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by organizations in today's dynamic business landscape.

Academic Background

Kristine holds a bachelor's degree from a prestigious university, where she specialized in human resources management and organizational development. Her academic achievements and continuous learning approach have enabled her to stay at the forefront of industry best practices and emerging HR trends.

Areas of Expertise

Human capital management and organizational design

Talent acquisition, development, and retention

Employee engagement and culture-building

Change management and organizational transformation

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

HR technology and data-driven decision making

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Kristine has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have had a measurable impact on the organizations she has served. At Nestlé, she played a pivotal role in aligning the company's HR strategy with its global business objectives, leading to enhanced employee productivity, improved talent retention, and increased operational efficiency. At Melissa & Doug, she has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative, purpose-driven work environment that has contributed to the company's sustained growth and market leadership.

Conclusion

Kristine Garberding is a respected human resources executive with a proven track record of driving organizational success through strategic talent management and people-centric initiatives. As the Chief Partner in Play (CHRO) at Melissa & Doug, LLC, she continues to leverage her extensive industry experience and innovative mindset to cultivate a thriving, adaptable workforce that supports the company's long-term growth and profitability.