Melissa Calidonna
About Melissa Calidonna
Melissa Calidonna serves as the Head of People Partnering at Skydio, where she balances operational and strategic roles in her HR career. With experience at major tech companies such as Apple, Google, and DeepMind, she is recognized for her warm demeanor and problem-solving skills.
Current Role at Skydio
Melissa Calidonna serves as the Head of People Partnering at Skydio, a position she has held since 2024. In this role, she balances operational and strategic responsibilities within the human resources domain. Her focus is on fostering a collaborative work environment that enhances employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. Located in California, she contributes to Skydio's mission of advancing drone technology through effective people management practices.
Previous Experience at Apple Inc.
Melissa Calidonna worked at Apple Inc. as an Administrative Assistant from 2011 to 2013. During her two years at the company, she gained valuable experience in administrative functions and support, which laid the groundwork for her subsequent roles in human resources and people operations.
Experience at Google and DeepMind
Calidonna held the position of People Operations Program Manager at Google from 2018 to 2019, focusing on the Hardware Organization. Following her tenure at Google, she worked at DeepMind as a People and Culture Partner from 2019 to 2024. In these roles, she developed expertise in managing people operations and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Educational Background
Melissa Calidonna studied at San Jose State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science. Her academic focus included psychology, sociology, and anthropology, providing her with a strong foundation in understanding human behavior and organizational dynamics.
Professional Strengths and Skills
Calidonna's DiSC® Style is characterized by a combination of Steadiness and Influence, which reflects her warm and approachable demeanor. Her CliftonStrengths® Top 5 include Strategic, Relator, Empathy, Adaptability, and Arranger. These strengths contribute to her effectiveness as a thoughtful problem-solver in her HR career, particularly in small companies where she values strong relationships and impactful work.