Cara Barnes, Chief People Officer and Founder of Good Carma Consulting LLC, is on a mission to make HR strategic, engaging, and human. With 15+ years in Business Development & Sales and 8+ years working with startups in Human Capital Management, she brings a rare blend of persuasion, problem-solving, and people-first strategy to the table.

A UC Berkeley graduate with degrees in Rhetoric and Gender & Women’s Studies, Cara has always been fascinated by the power of communication and human connection. She knows that successful organizations aren’t just built on policies—they’re built on people. Her approach to HR is anything but cookie-cutter; she thrives on crafting custom solutions that align business goals with workplace culture, ensuring that startups and nonprofits don’t just grow, but grow with purpose and intention.

Her background in sales gives her a unique edge in HR consulting—because at its core, HR is about getting buy-in. Whether it’s selling a vision to executives or rallying employees around change, Cara knows how to translate ideas into action and navigate challenges with creativity and resilience.

When she’s not helping startups and nonprofits build their dream teams, you’ll find Cara strumming her ukulele with the Aloha Uke Squad at local farmers markets and festivals or baking up a storm with her partner on the weekends.