Gwen Carscadden
Chief Human Resources Officer at RAPT Therapeutics- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Cate McCarrell
Gwen is an extraordinary HR leader with some of the best organizational sensitivity I’ve ever worked with. Her background and experience enable her easily assess and understand a company’s culture, identify and nurture strong and suitable talent, quickly spot and solve problem situations, and to evaluate and advise about business actions, executional plans and employee communications - always ensuring the desired results. During our first year at Intersect, Gwen spearheaded efforts to create a motivating and compelling culture and environment. She very quickly gained the trust and respect of the Leadership and staff and set a new standard for employee engagement and cross-functional collaboration. She’s masterful at working with management to address and resolve challenges efficiently, fairly and with the best possible outcomes. She understands all elements of HR, but truly shines when it comes to understanding and interacting with executives, managers, and employees, and working day to day to help push a company forward in a positive direction. She is an asset to any organization.
John Sahid
Gwen is a champion for people and was instrumental in attracting top talent to Intersect ENT. She built a very talented HR team to support our business during a high growth period, while leading initiatives to ensure we maintained a positive company culture. Her expertise & insights were invaluable in supporting my sales operations team and I over the course of 4+ years. Any organization would be fortunate to have Gwen as their HR leader.
Cate McCarrell
Gwen is an extraordinary HR leader with some of the best organizational sensitivity I’ve ever worked with. Her background and experience enable her easily assess and understand a company’s culture, identify and nurture strong and suitable talent, quickly spot and solve problem situations, and to evaluate and advise about business actions, executional plans and employee communications - always ensuring the desired results. During our first year at Intersect, Gwen spearheaded efforts to create a motivating and compelling culture and environment. She very quickly gained the trust and respect of the Leadership and staff and set a new standard for employee engagement and cross-functional collaboration. She’s masterful at working with management to address and resolve challenges efficiently, fairly and with the best possible outcomes. She understands all elements of HR, but truly shines when it comes to understanding and interacting with executives, managers, and employees, and working day to day to help push a company forward in a positive direction. She is an asset to any organization.
John Sahid
Gwen is a champion for people and was instrumental in attracting top talent to Intersect ENT. She built a very talented HR team to support our business during a high growth period, while leading initiatives to ensure we maintained a positive company culture. Her expertise & insights were invaluable in supporting my sales operations team and I over the course of 4+ years. Any organization would be fortunate to have Gwen as their HR leader.
Cate McCarrell
Gwen is an extraordinary HR leader with some of the best organizational sensitivity I’ve ever worked with. Her background and experience enable her easily assess and understand a company’s culture, identify and nurture strong and suitable talent, quickly spot and solve problem situations, and to evaluate and advise about business actions, executional plans and employee communications - always ensuring the desired results. During our first year at Intersect, Gwen spearheaded efforts to create a motivating and compelling culture and environment. She very quickly gained the trust and respect of the Leadership and staff and set a new standard for employee engagement and cross-functional collaboration. She’s masterful at working with management to address and resolve challenges efficiently, fairly and with the best possible outcomes. She understands all elements of HR, but truly shines when it comes to understanding and interacting with executives, managers, and employees, and working day to day to help push a company forward in a positive direction. She is an asset to any organization.
John Sahid
Gwen is a champion for people and was instrumental in attracting top talent to Intersect ENT. She built a very talented HR team to support our business during a high growth period, while leading initiatives to ensure we maintained a positive company culture. Her expertise & insights were invaluable in supporting my sales operations team and I over the course of 4+ years. Any organization would be fortunate to have Gwen as their HR leader.
Cate McCarrell
Gwen is an extraordinary HR leader with some of the best organizational sensitivity I’ve ever worked with. Her background and experience enable her easily assess and understand a company’s culture, identify and nurture strong and suitable talent, quickly spot and solve problem situations, and to evaluate and advise about business actions, executional plans and employee communications - always ensuring the desired results. During our first year at Intersect, Gwen spearheaded efforts to create a motivating and compelling culture and environment. She very quickly gained the trust and respect of the Leadership and staff and set a new standard for employee engagement and cross-functional collaboration. She’s masterful at working with management to address and resolve challenges efficiently, fairly and with the best possible outcomes. She understands all elements of HR, but truly shines when it comes to understanding and interacting with executives, managers, and employees, and working day to day to help push a company forward in a positive direction. She is an asset to any organization.
John Sahid
Gwen is a champion for people and was instrumental in attracting top talent to Intersect ENT. She built a very talented HR team to support our business during a high growth period, while leading initiatives to ensure we maintained a positive company culture. Her expertise & insights were invaluable in supporting my sales operations team and I over the course of 4+ years. Any organization would be fortunate to have Gwen as their HR leader.
Experience
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RAPT Therapeutics
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Biotechnology Research
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100 - 200 Employee
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Chief Human Resources Officer
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Apr 2022 - Present
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Intersect ENT, Inc., Now Part of Medtronic
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United States
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Medical Equipment Manufacturing
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100 - 200 Employee
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Chief People Officer
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Jun 2016 - May 2022
Key member of Executive Team, reporting to the CEO, responsible for setting strategic direction for the Human Resources function. • Grew company by 50%; partnered with my leadership counterparts to support multiple innovative product launches, including the company’s first combination drug product • Established Human Resources organization as a trusted thought partner o Built first-class Human Resources team of 7 outstanding HR professionals • Strategized with leadership and led through issues related to the pandemic; provided innovative solutions in a way that allowed people to be heard, taking into account the welfare of employees and the ever-present need to remain productive for shareholders and patients • Appointed by CEO to participate in first ever AdvaMed Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee; served with other executive level HR colleagues to create the organization’s first Diversity and Inclusion Model which will be available for all member companies • Led initiative to redefine company culture to reflect the organization’s goals and objectives, which resulted in Intersect ENT being named one of the Bay Area’s Best Places to Work 2018 and 2019 • Developed and directed critical Human Resources activities associated with the successful acquisition and integration of our German subsidiary • Led effort to refine sales performance criteria, which resulted in increased retention; consolidated vendors and negotiated agreements resulting in $100k savings the first year; created enhanced Field Employee Referral Program • Developed and implemented Executive Compensation strategies; facilitated Board Compensation Committee meetings • Facilitated cross functional conflict management sessions resulting in improved productivity and enabling teams to meet business objectives • Provided executive coaching to Executive Leadership, both as individuals and as a team; planned and initiated team offsites which facilitated better cross functional collaboration Show less
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Senior Vice President Human Resources
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Jan 2015 - Jun 2016
Key member of Executive Team responsible for strategic HR and Facilities direction; reporting to the CEO, provided advice and counsel to fellow Senior Leaders on matters of HR strategy, employee relations, program and policy development and implementation in support of corporate goals and objectives; worked closely with Board and Compensation Committee; promoted to Sr. Vice President after 2 years• Grew company from 80 to 150 employees in less than two years• Implemented company’s first management training classes; 100% attendance• Drove implementation of Sales Performance criteria, which resulted in reduced turnover; • implemented Field Employee Referral program, which resulted in $70k savings in first six months• Implemented benefits broker change which led to substantial savings and consolidation of vendors• Led initiative to re-launch company vision and values; co-facilitated executive offsite, led focus groups and created communication plan• Created “Leadership Forum” – ongoing, forum for development of leaders just below the VP level• Led consolidation of space and sublease efforts Show less
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Vice President of Human Resources
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Aug 2012 - Jan 2016
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HR Consultant
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Dec 2010 - Aug 2012
Provided a multitude of HR consulting services to various Bay Area Life Sciences companies Provided a multitude of HR consulting services to various Bay Area Life Sciences companies
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Facet Biotech
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Biotechnology Research
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1 - 100 Employee
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Vice President of Human Resources | Executive Director, Human Resources
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Mar 2008 - Nov 2010
Reporting to the CEO, provided strategic HR direction and leadership company-wide; advised fellow senior leaders on matters of HR strategy, employee relations, program and policy development and implementation in support of corporate goals and objectives. •Led HR initiatives related to spin-off of biotechnology company; initiated programs to reinforce desired culture in order to meet business objectives; created and implemented benefits strategies for both companies; continued to oversee HR activities for both companies during transition period. •Drove creation of Leadership Competency Model; oversaw the recruitment and hire of key leaders (Chief Research Officer, Head of Research, SVP of Corporate Development). •Implemented comprehensive Talent Review Process, including identification of high potential employees, and development planning for all employees; created a “train the trainer” environment in which mid-level managers participated in program delivery; yielded 90% employee participation. •Facilitated Compensation Committee meetings; revised compensation philosophy to meet changing business needs. Introduced competitive total rewards programs to align with new company’s vision and strategy. Created unique incentive, talent acquisition, and retention programs resulting in retention of key talent, and significantly lower than industry average turnover (9%) rate. •Implemented a comprehensive benefit program, which resulted in “better-than-industry” benefits offerings for employees, and a 10% reduction in cost to the company. •Led HR initiatives related to acquisition of the company; responsible for all HR aspects of the due diligence process. Provided direction, advice and counsel to counterparts at acquiring company to ensure a smooth transition in all areas of the organization. •Developed and implemented a dignified reduction in force process, which reduced the workforce by 25%; negotiated several key terminations with no resulting legal action. Show less
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PDL BioPharma
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Biotechnology Research
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200 - 300 Employee
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Director/HR Site Leader
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Feb 2006 - Mar 2008
•Grew company from 350 to 1100 employees via hiring and acquisition from 2004 to 2007. Partnered with executive Team to develop strategic plans that drove the vision, mission and values of the organization as it continued to transition into a fully commercialized company. •Key member acquisition integration team; created communication and transition plans, which resulted in high levels of acceptance within the organization.•Facilitated a reduction in force, which resulted in a 60% decrease in headcount over 12 months. •Provided advice and counsel on critical and sensitive HR issues to HR colleagues in remote locations; established and led internal Business Partner Forum. Show less
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Sr. HR Business Partner
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Jun 2004 - Feb 2006
Primary strategic partner to the Finance, Legal, IT, Business Development and R&D organizations regarding all HR matters. •Partnered with Senior VP’s to identify, plan for, and implement necessary organization and process changes to support the rapidly growing business. Influenced the design of HR processes and tools to ensure business needs were met.•Redesigned annual performance review process (conducted focus groups, restructured form, crafted and implemented a training and communication plan), which resulted in a seamless transition and improved the quality of the completed performance evaluations.•Diagnosed, designed and facilitated Organization Development interventions and Management Development programs; partnered with Executive Team to develop strategic plans for employee development, leadership capability, and organizational effectiveness. Show less
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Fujitsu
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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700 & Above Employee
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Director of Human Resources
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2001 - 2004
Responsible for all aspects of HR Operations, Staffing, and HR Development for an 850 person subsidiary of a multinational company established as a result of integrating two divisions of a global computing company. •Key member of project team responsible for integration of two Fujitsu divisions brought together as a result of a merger. Developed and implemented transition and project plan which resulted in a smooth transition and a continued high level of service; continue to consult to executive management regarding HR implications of future mergers and acquisitions. •Managed recruiting staff of four who partnered with managers and executive staff to determine successful staffing strategy; created EEO programs that supported business objectives and met AA goals. •Provided strategic direction regarding business decisions to HRIS integration team, which resulted in a more efficient process for collection and maintenance of data, and an increased level of data integrity. Show less
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Sr. Manager, Human Resources
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1986 - 2001
Formed HR Operations Center which served as a centralized resource for employees for information relating to benefits, staffing and administration; provided guidance and created policy; ensured that HR programs (International Assignments, Unemployment, Export Compliance, Immigration, Benefits, Staffing, etc.) were handled in accordance with employment law and business practices. Facilitated “nonstandard” termination packages, as well as reduction-in force related activities. Managed a staff of 13; prepared/managed annual department budget; provided technical direction and assistance to users of HRIS; participated in acquisition integration teams. •Developed and implemented bid process for both technical and non-technical temporary employees, resulting in a significant reduction in temporary labor costs. •Key member of project team that revised and implemented an internal placement assistance program that provided a vehicle by which employees could apply for internal positions. Show less
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Education
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San Jose State University
MA, Organizational Communication -
San Jose State University
BA, Behavioral Sciences; minor in Cybernetic Systems
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