As we have fun Black Historical past Month, for this #ClouderLife Highlight we sat down with Clouderan Kimberly Lewis to speak about her profession journey in human sources, rising up in New Orleans, and the way her expertise in basketball translated to management and profession growth within the office.
Kim is the director of human sources (HR) packages at Cloudera. She manages every part that occurs on a programmatic foundation in HR that has a technique and a plan. “I work carefully with the chief human sources officer on strategic planning in addition to HR management,” she mentioned. She additionally seems to be at every of the six HR management tracks to determine initiatives and assist management achieve success with pending and ongoing priorities.
Kim joined Cloudera two years in the past. “On the time they had been trying to fill a strategically targeted function, which was an excellent match with my previous background as an HR enterprise companion (HRBP),” she mentioned. In her earlier function, Kim led HRBP groups implementing methods amongst all of the HR areas. She functioned because the liaison between the sector and company, the place she wanted to be an skilled throughout all useful areas, creating a mindset for the bigger firm technique.
As quickly as she began at Cloudera there was a direct want for her to implement an initiative across the workforce adjustments as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. “My very first duty was to supervise the COVID-19 committee at Cloudera,” she mentioned.
“One of the best factor about Cloudera is the those that I get to attach with day by day, there may be nothing prefer it,” she mentioned, describing her expertise working at Cloudera. “The individuals I meet actually wish to do nice work and they’re enthusiastic about it. They’re prepared to sacrifice their time utterly.”
Rising up within the Large Straightforward was about household, tradition, and new alternatives by means of the love of basketball
Kim grew up in New Orleans in a close-knit, multi-generational household, however felt just like the better group of New Orleans was additionally household. “The fervour of the town with a wealthy historical past wrapped in a cultural melting pot and anchored within the annual festivities of Mardi Gras. That is what makes New Orleans so particular,” she acknowledged.
It appeared like from the time Kim may stroll she was concerned with the sport of basketball. Enjoying all through her faculty days, she later earned a university basketball scholarship. Initially, Kim wished to check structure however selected a college that greatest match her athletic aspirations that didn’t have structure as a significant. Then, after taking an employment regulation class she knew HR can be her main, and she or he has had a ardour for it ever since.
With basketball, Kim went on to be a division-two level guard in her faculty years after which grew to become a referee for semi-pro, and likewise coached at numerous ranges since.
Quickly after faculty, she settled in Atlanta to start out her profession the place she has been ever since. Kim mentioned, “They are saying if you happen to’re in Atlanta longer than 10 years then you definately’re technically from Atlanta. I assume I now qualify.”
How classes discovered on the basketball courtroom translate to the office
“Basketball and group sports activities have been a centerpiece all through my life,” Kim mentioned. “Being an athlete may be very a lot part of who I’m and began my management basis. I’m very a lot a servant chief and all in regards to the group.”
Kim attracts on classes discovered on the courtroom to the office. Concerning organizational success, “working collectively accomplishes much more for your self and the group than being a star participant or working as a person,” she mentioned. “Being an important participant is one factor, however you don’t win until you have got an important group.”
When it comes to technique, Kim has additionally drawn related parallels. “Trying on the larger image versus the now could be one thing I discovered years in the past in sports activities,” she mentioned. “You may lose the sport immediately realizing that there’s a broader or larger aim to win the championship. Equally, in HR, for instance, there are initiatives that we wish to do immediately however should take a step again and take a look at the better technique to ensure the small print align with our objectives.”
These classes additionally carry over to profession growth as she seemed again at her personal profession path. “Not being afraid to fail,” she mentioned. “I discovered a few of the largest life classes when issues didn’t go proper. Having the ability to mirror on what went nicely however studying the teachings of what didn’t work and never being afraid to regulate course.” She added, “Like in sports activities if you happen to run a play and it doesn’t work, do you quit on the sport? Or somewhat, take a step again and take a look at another approach to assault the scenario and rating?”
One other lesson that Kim attributes to her profession development isn’t being afraid to assume otherwise or unorthodoxly. “It’s necessary in my function to be versatile and open to different methods of doing issues,” she mentioned. “Generally you have got the most effective plans however issues occur that change your trajectory. Our complete trade is at all times altering so we’ve to be versatile to alter with it in any other case we will likely be left behind.”
Reflecting on Black Historical past Month
In reflecting on Black Historical past Month Kim mentioned, “It’s such an emotional time for minorities as a result of, on the one hand, we mirror on the battle, and on the opposite, the sensation of delight for the accomplishments of minorities. All the nice issues that we’ve contributed to society and seeing the progress is thrilling.”
“Reflecting as a Black American girl, it wasn’t that way back when girls had been first allowed to vote,” she mentioned. “My mom was at school throughout segregation. Once I despatched my daughters to high school, they’d a selection that my mom, who is barely two generations aside, didn’t.” She provides, “Black Historical past, though a month-long occasion, is as much as us to maintain high of thoughts on a regular basis.”
The ultimate query: did you remorse not changing into an architect?
“I’m nonetheless obsessed with structure,” Kim replied. “Once I journey, I make it some extent to see the structure of the realm, it’s so fascinating to me. I attempt to get to any metropolis that has incredible structure. I’m nonetheless a scholar of structure. I’m additionally an final DIYer. I’ve renovated my residence many instances over. However on the finish of the day, my ardour is for individuals, and HR is my approach to contribute.”
As we shut the dialog, we wish to thank Kim for contributing a lot to Cloudera and telling her story.
