Podcast Summary
In this episode of the Working Well Podcast, host Tim Borys sits down with Carol MacKinlay, Chief Human Resources Officer at Pebble and board director for one of the first publicly traded cryptocurrency companies.
With over 30 years of global HR and executive leadership experience, Carol shares how technology, data, and diversity are transforming the future of work. From her early days in mathematics and finance to leading people strategy at Binance US, Xero, and Plantronics, Carol has spent her career bridging analytics and empathy.
She and Tim explore how HR can evolve from a compliance function into a strategic growth engine—one that measures culture, builds trust, and drives performance through meaningful data. Carol also unpacks how digital transformation, cryptocurrency, and AI are shaping compensation, transparency, and equity across modern organizations.
This episode is a roadmap for HR professionals and business leaders seeking to create more adaptive, data-driven, and human-centered workplaces.
✅ Key Takeaways
HR needs financial fluency. The future of people leadership depends on understanding business metrics.
Data creates influence. Insightful analytics make HR a trusted voice in executive decision-making.
Technology is redefining talent. Blockchain, AI, and digital tools are changing how people are paid, recognized, and developed.
Measure what matters. Employee experience and culture can—and should—be tracked like performance metrics.
Diversity is innovation. Inclusive workplaces outperform because diverse data drives better decisions.
Episode Links & Resources
Connect with Carol here:
Company Website: hellopebl.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolmackinlay/
Podcast Highlights
Please note: This highlight is generated by a computer and may contain errors.
Introduction: HR in the Age of Transformation
Host Tim Borys welcomes Carol MacKinlay, Chief Human Resources Officer at Pebble and board director for a publicly traded cryptocurrency company. With a foundation in mathematics and finance, Carol has led global HR strategy for major tech and financial organizations including Binance US, Xero, and Plantronics.
She joins the show to discuss how technology, data, and people analytics are redefining leadership and shaping the future of human resources.
From Numbers to People — Carol’s Journey
Carol shares her unconventional path into HR—beginning in finance and analytics before realizing her passion for building teams and driving business results through people. Her technical background helped her see HR through a strategic lens: connecting data-driven insights with human connection.
“The best HR leaders don’t just manage people—they help the business make smarter, faster, and fairer decisions.”
Bridging Data and Empathy
While many still see HR as a soft skill function, Carol explains that data is HR’s greatest superpower. Metrics around engagement, retention, and culture can directly correlate to revenue and innovation.
However, she emphasizes that numbers only tell half the story—the other half comes from listening and understanding. Successful organizations balance analytics with empathy to create environments where people thrive.
Digital Transformation and the Future of Work
Carol and Tim explore how digital tools—from automation to blockchain—are transforming everything from compensation to collaboration.
She highlights how cryptocurrency and blockchain technology could revolutionize payroll, transparency, and equity ownership, creating fairer systems for global teams.
“Technology is not replacing HR—it’s amplifying it. The key is using it to enhance humanity, not remove it.”
The Evolution of HR Leadership
Today’s HR leaders must think like business strategists. Carol argues that understanding financial performance, risk, and data modeling is essential to earning influence in the boardroom.
She calls this the shift from people management to people strategy—helping leaders translate culture into performance and purpose into profit.
Diversity, Inclusion & Measurable Impact
Carol explains that diversity and inclusion efforts are most effective when backed by data. Metrics on representation, pay equity, and belonging can reveal the real story behind company values.
She urges leaders to go beyond policies and focus on outcomes—what’s changing, who’s growing, and where inequities remain.
Closing Reflections: The Human Side of Data
Carol concludes that HR’s future lies in balance—where technology and data empower deeper human connection.
“When we measure what matters, we remind people that business is still about people.”
