Hi There, I’m Cari
Cari Hawthorne brings a collaborative, business-minded approach to HR leadership, shaped by her diverse experience as a Director at companies like Microsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and the United States Army. With a career spanning 15 years, Cari is known for building strong partnerships with executives, designing people strategies that align with business goals, and supporting teams through major transitions—from M&A integration to organization-wide transformations.
Cari’s style is practical, people-centered, and rooted in real-world impact. She’s guided hundreds of HR professionals through their certification journeys, always focusing on tangible skills and connecting day-to-day HR work to bigger business outcomes. She’s also passionate about giving back, serving as a Corporate Fellow at the University of Houston Downtown, where she teaches “The Business Leader’s Role in Talent Development,” helping future leaders see how talent strategy drives business results.
Cari is the author of Career Gymnastics, a practical guide for early-career professionals navigating today’s workplace realities. Her insights and thought leadership have been featured in outlets such as Vunela and The Muse.
What drives Cari, above all, is her belief that with the right opportunities and support, people can truly unlock their potential. She’s committed to helping individuals and organizations find the intersection between people, purpose, and performance.