Ula Iwanska

EXPERIENCE

As a Fractional Consultant, I am embedded within the team and operate in the capacity of Head of People.

AVEA Life (Health & Wellbeing), May 2024 - Present
- Reports to COO and collaborates closely with CEO.
- Build the function from the ground up
- Developed a People roadmap aligned with business goals.
- Launched a continuous Performance Management framework, improving visibility into performance, promotion readiness and development needs.
- Delivered targeted engagement actions, driving +1.2 engagement and +18 eNPS.
- Implemented salary review, job leveling, and progression processes to support growth, fair pay and budget planning.
- Coached managers on feedback and performance conversations.
- Designed a structured interview process.
- People Operations for distributed teams across EMEA and APAC.
- Standalone People role in a 40-person startup.
Katanox (HotelTech SaaS), (March 2023 to Feb 2024) ->
- Partnered with Product and Engineering team to streamline hiring process.
- Recruited for engineering and product.
- Distributed teams in EMEA
Tools: AI, Slack, Google Workspace, Notion, Miro, Asana, Greenhouse, BambooHR, 15Five, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude Cowork, EOR platforms.

Built the People function from the ground up. Multi-country scope: Spain, UK, Italy, Russia.
Designed and implemented end-to-end people strategies across three pillars: (1) Growth: career paths, leadership development, and internal mobility; (2) Infrastructure for scale: compensation frameworks and onboarding; and (3) Performance culture: agile performance management with continuous feedback.
Led Talent Acquisition efforts enabling company growth from 70 to 180 employees.
Hired on a stand-alone role, have built the team from scratch (team: 5 reports).
Post-series A, reported to CEO
Reason to leave: Change in company strategy.
Tools: Slack, G Suite, Factorial, Lattice, Trello, Recruitee, Culture Amp.

Led the People & TA function for Spain, managing two direct reports and supporting company growth to 160 employees through strong culture and people processes.
Tools: Greenhouse, Slack, G Suite, Workday
Reason for leaving: Closure of the Spain business.
Tools: Greenhouse, Slack, G Suite, Workday

Enabled change in the company culture and ensured that we hire the best talent for the agency. Implemented: OKRs, Real Time Feedback, passive Talent Pool.
Reason to leave: Going back to tech sector.

Created Talent Acquisition Strategy plan aligned with Medallia needs and business vision. Contributed to growth of business up to 120 people.
Reason to leave: Personal (moved back to Spain).
Tools: Greenhouse, Workday

Managed full-cycle recruitment process, continuously overachieved on hiring goals (110% of target). Note: Employed with Google on 2x contracts (2010/2011-2012/2013).
Reason to leave: Professional growth in start-up company.

Languages

CERTIFICATIONS

2025

Education

People & Talent