Portia Kibble Smith
About Portia Kibble Smith
Portia Kibble Smith is an Executive Recruiter and Diversity and Inclusion Lead, currently serving as President and CEO of Pks Executive Search and Consulting since 2005. With a career spanning several decades, she has held various roles in prominent companies and actively promotes diversity and inclusion strategies within the industry.
Work at Karat
Portia Kibble Smith has served as an Executive Recruiter and Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Karat since 2016. In this role, she focuses on enhancing recruitment processes with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Her responsibilities include collaborating with industry peers to develop and implement effective diversity strategies that promote inclusivity within the tech sector.
Current Role at Pks Executive Search and Consulting
Since 2005, Portia Kibble Smith has held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer at Pks Executive Search and Consulting in Overland Park, Kansas. In this capacity, she leads the firm in providing executive search services, emphasizing the importance of diversity in recruitment practices. Her leadership has guided the company for 19 years.
Previous Experience in Recruitment and Marketing
Portia Kibble Smith has extensive experience in recruitment and marketing. She worked at Sprint as a Staff Associate Recruiting Manager from 1991 to 2003, where she managed recruitment strategies. Prior to that, she served as an Advisory Marketing Representative at IBM from 1981 to 1990 and as a Marketing Representative at Xerox from 1979 to 1981. Additionally, she held the position of Director of Sales and Training at Public Services Company in Kuwait for one year.
Education and Expertise
Portia Kibble Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from The University of Kansas. Her educational background provides a foundation for her expertise in executive recruitment and diversity initiatives, allowing her to effectively lead discussions and collaborations in these areas.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Portia Kibble Smith actively engages in discussions and collaborations focused on diversity and inclusion strategies within the industry. She has been instrumental in forming innovative partnerships with leading tech companies, universities, and non-profits aimed at enhancing community inclusivity. Her efforts contribute to creating more equitable opportunities in the workforce.