Leveraging a rare combination of financial expertise and HR acumen specializes in guiding organizations from high-growth startups through critical phases of development and expansion. A results-driven strategic global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) with a proven track record spanning over 15 years of HR Leadership in the life sciences industry in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and LiDAR. With over 15 years in finance, including a decade at Merrill Lynch, brings valuable financial literacy to the table, ensuring HR initiatives align with corporate strategy and budgetary limitations. Known for her collaborative approach, Darlene leverages her deep experience to develop managers, build strong leadership pipelines, and lead effective succession plans. During her career, she has lowered benefit package costs by 25% while providing competitive coverage, improved employee morale by 25%, opened and staffed global facilities. Darlene currently serves on the boards of the Bay Area Bioscience Education Community and Silicon Valley National HR Association. She serves as a fractional CHRO, offering tailored solutions to diverse organizations. Notably, she implemented onboarding processes that boosted headcount by 30% at a clinical stage biotherapeutics company, achieved 50% cost savings at a database software platform with a Global PEO. With Dark Horse Consulting Group, she served as Global VP of Human Resources where she led the standardization of compensation, benefits, and policies across the global offices and revamped the global compensation model and philosophy, resulting in 11% cost savings. With Quanergy Systems she opened a new 24-hour manufacturing facility and staffed around-the-clock shifts with over 200 employees. At Edison Pharmaceuticals, Darlene served as the CHRO and drove significant cost savings by bringing recruitment in-house. At Alexza Pharmaceuticals, she held multiple roles with increasing responsibility ultimately serving as Head of Human Resources. There she spearheaded initiatives that reduced benefit costs by 25%. At Avocet Medical, she established the HR department and played a key role in product market introduction. Starting her career with 18 years in finance she honed her skills as a financial consultant.She earned her B.S. in Organizational Behavior and holds a variety of advanced HR certifications. Darlene is a committed Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys paddle boarding, biking, kayaking, hiking, and skiing.