Paloma Thombley
About Paloma Thombley
Paloma Thombley serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Handshake, where she has significantly expanded the HR team and guided the company through strategic initiatives. She has a background in history from UC San Diego and has held various HR roles at notable organizations, including Qualcomm and Nuna Inc.
Current Role as Chief Human Resources Officer
Paloma Thombley serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Handshake, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the HR functions and aligning them with the company's strategic goals. Her leadership includes guiding Handshake through significant organizational changes and initiatives, such as a values refresh and leadership transitions.
Previous Experience at Handshake
Before her current role, Paloma Thombley held multiple positions at Handshake. She worked as the Director of People from 2019 to 2021 and then as the Senior Director of People from 2021 to 2022. During her tenure, she built a best-in-class HR Business Partner function and scaled the HR and Talent teams from 10 to 35 members, contributing to the company's growth and operational efficiency.
Professional Background in Human Resources
Paloma Thombley has a diverse background in human resources, having worked at several organizations prior to her current role. She served as the Director of People Operations at Nuna Inc. from 2016 to 2019 and worked at Qualcomm as part of the International Benefits team from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she gained HR experience at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she held roles including Human Resources Assistant and Marine Crew Coordinator.
Education and Academic Background
Paloma Thombley studied at the University of California, San Diego, where she earned a degree in History from 2005 to 2009. She also pursued further education at World at Work, enhancing her knowledge and skills in human resources and organizational management.
Strategic Initiatives and Contributions
Throughout her career, Paloma Thombley has been involved in strategic initiatives that have shaped the organizations she has worked for. At Handshake, she guided the company through a strategic global expansion initiative, demonstrating her capability in managing complex HR challenges and supporting organizational growth.