Kristina Ruiz, SHRM-CP

HR Leadership @ Blink UX

About

I am the VP of Culture at Blink, a fast-paced, growing UX consultancy. My role focuses on developing a multi-dimensional culture that allows employees to thrive each day. I'm grateful to find myself in a career field and industry that is people-focused and allows me to think creatively about strategies that not only improve business outcomes but improve the lives of our employees. In my spare time, you can usually find me reading fiction, getting outside in the warm months to enjoy nature, planning my next trip, or curling up on the couch to watch HBO's latest bingable show.

Country

United States

City

Berkeley

Industry

Design

Skill

Strategic Planning, Acquisition Integration, Employee Relations, Change Management, Recruiting, Team planning, HR Policies, Onboarding, Employee Engagement, Project Management, Event Planning, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Advertising, Adobe Creative Suite, Social Media, Blogging, Corporate Social Responsibility, Volunteer Coordination, Time Management

Experience

HR Leadership

Blink UX

2019-7 - Present · 7 yrs 3 mos

San Francisco Bay Area

• Support Chief Culture Officer in leading HR and culture initiatives at Blink UX, a mid-sized consulting firm. • Build programs around onboarding, learning & development, compensation & benefits, and employee engagement. • Collaborate with our enterprise parent company’s HR and legal teams to align policies, achieve ISO 27001 certification, and implement integrated HR tools that support compliance and operational efficiency. • Act as a connector across departments, balancing equity, empathy, and alignment while supporting both leadership and individual contributors.

HR & Recruiting Manager

Blink UX

2015-9 - 2018-7 · 2 yrs 11 mos

Seattle, WA

• Attract and recruit top talent. Manage the entire interview process from start to finish including recruiting, phone screening, scheduling and attending interviews, following up with candidates, and negotiating offers. • Onboard all new employees and ensure they are fully supported as they begin work at the company. • Work closely with Managers to develop and oversee programs for employee development and growth. • Plan and execute company events to promote employee engagement. • Stay up to date on local, state, and national HR compliance, and maintain a safe and healthy workplace.

Studio & HR Coordinator

Blink UX

2014-3 - 2015-9 · 1 yr 7 mos

Seattle, WA

•Executed office culture initiatives and events, contributing to a welcoming and engaging workplace environment. •Managed front desk operations, greeting clients and research participants, coordinating logistics, and ensuring a polished first impression.

Operations Manager

Gratitude Interactive LLC

2013-10 - 2014-2 · 5 mos

Seattle, WA

• My business card told it best “Head of the Department of Everything”. Worked with the founder to turn ideas into reality. • Executed all marketing operations from writing speaking proposals to the content on our social pages. • Directed all office operations, including finances, organizing events, answering the phones and even building office furniture.

Major Fundraising Events Coordinator

Young Lives vs Cancer

2010-5 - 2010-8 · 4 mos

London, United Kingdom

• Planned major fundraising events for non-profit children’s cancer charity where my responsibilities included researching and negotiating with vendors, secured donations for silent auctions, and managing event staff day-of. • Raised over $600,000 to fund in-home nurses, treatments, social workers, etc. for patients in the UK.