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Lydia Kung
Director, HR Business Partner at Instacart
Professional Background
Lydia Kung is a distinguished HR leader with a deep-seated passion for driving disruptive technology through innovative talent strategies. With an impressive career history marked by transformative leadership roles in human resources, Lydia excels in guiding high-growth companies through significant cultural and organizational shifts. Her insights and strategies have proven instrumental in nurturing talent, thereby helping organizations not only thrive but also remain adaptable in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Lydia began her career in the HR domain as a Senior Technical Recruiter at Ascent Services Group, where she honed her skills in identifying and securing top-tier talent. This foundational experience equipped her with the tools necessary to understand the multifaceted dynamics of workforce needs in various sectors.
Heeding the call for greater challenges, Lydia transitioned to the American Heart Association in a Business Development role, where she contributed to the mission of advancing cardiovascular health through strategic initiatives. Her ability to align talent with organizational goals quickly caught the attention of industry leaders, leading her to her next role at Mattel, Inc. as Manager, HR Business Partner. Here, she provided invaluable support in shaping HR policies and practices that aligned with the company's growth strategies.
Following her impactful tenure at Mattel, Lydia took her expertise to Uber, where she served as an HR Business Partner. In this high-paced environment, she developed a nuanced understanding of the tech industry, further enhancing her strategic impact as she supported key leaders in establishing critical talent frameworks.
Eventually, Lydia returned to Instacart, where she made remarkable strides. Rising from Sr. Manager to Director, and ultimately to Senior Director of HR Business Partner, Lydia was pivotal in implementing significant HR transformations that contributed to Instacart's rapid growth. Her commitment to fostering a progressive workplace culture fueled the company's ability to attract, retain, and develop top talent across various functions. Her trusted role as a strategic advisor was crucial during periods of rapid expansion and change.
Education and Achievements
Lydia Kung's educational background is as remarkable as her professional career. She earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the renowned USC Marshall School of Business, where she gained comprehensive knowledge and skills that have shaped her approach to HR leadership. Her MBA equipped her with a robust understanding of business principles, enabling her to align HR strategies closely with organizational objectives.
Prior to her MBA, Lydia obtained her Bachelor of Science in International Business, also from USC Marshall School of Business. This degree laid the foundation for her global perspective on business practices, making her adept at navigating cross-cultural issues in human resources and talent management.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Lydia has achieved numerous milestones that underscore her expertise and dedication to human resources. Some of her most notable achievements include:
- Transformational Leadership: Successfully leading initiatives that resulted in significant organizational change at Instacart, which included revamping talent acquisition strategies and enhancing employee engagement scores.
- Cultural Development: Instrumental in fostering an innovative and inclusive workplace culture, facilitating training programs that emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Strategic Partnering: Recognized for her ability to act as a strategic partner to organizational leaders, providing insights and recommendations that align HR efforts with business goals.
- Talent Innovation: Developed and implemented cutting-edge talent management frameworks that integrate technology and data analytics, driving efficiency and effectiveness in HR operations.
Lydia’s journey reflects her unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of human capital in driving business success. As an HR leader, she continues to seek opportunities to utilize her unique skills and experiences to foster talent innovation in high-growth environments, ensuring companies not only meet their goals but also build sustainable cultures where individuals can thrive.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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