Chiara Hughes

Chiara Hughes is a People and Operations leader, entrepreneur, and talent strategist with more than 26 years of experience helping organizations build great teams, scale thoughtfully, and navigate the messy realities of growth. She has held leadership roles in high-growth technology companies, including Carvana and RevolutionParts, where she has led recruiting, People Operations, culture, and organizational strategy. Known for her candid, practical approach and ability to bring calm and clarity to complex situations, Chiara speaks about leadership, talent, company culture, recruiting, employee experience, and the changing role of AI in the workplace. She is particularly passionate about helping leaders build organizations where people can do great work without losing the human side of business. Today, Chiara is also a cofounder of RootWorks, an emerging agricultural company focused on improving soil health, water efficiency, and growing performance. Her experience building a company from the ground up adds an entrepreneurial perspective to her work as a leader and speaker.