Meet Maria Klagos, VP People Operations at PHIL
In our latest employee spotlight, we sit down with Maria Klagos, our new Head of People, who brings a wealth of experience in scaling HR functions at high-growth startups. We explore her unique background, her vision for PHIL’s culture, and the personal experiences that have shaped her professional journey.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your new role at PHIL
I joined PHIL as the VP of People Operations this past May. I’m pleased my career path has led me here and am looking forward to the work ahead.
Throughout my career, I've specialized in building people functions for rapidly growing startups. I typically join as the first HR hire, laying the groundwork for significant expansion. I've had the privilege of working with four startups as they achieved "unicorn" status, reaching valuations of over $1 billion. Two of them also went through their Initial Public Offering (IPO) processes during my time there.
What I find most rewarding is developing the systems and processes that enable companies to scale effectively. In my past roles, I've helped facilitate 10x employee growth, which presents both challenges and opportunities. It's a dynamic environment that I find engaging and fulfilling. My approach involves getting hands-on with the work. I enjoy the process of building something from the ground up and navigating the complexities that come with rapid growth.
At PHIL, I'm focused on building out our people team, which will encompass both recruiting and HR functions. My goal is to create an environment where our employees feel supported and empowered to do their best work. I'm genuinely excited about the potential here at PHIL and the impact we can make together. I look forward to applying my experience to help shape our company's future.
What do you think sets PHIL’s company culture apart from others you’ve worked with?
PHIL’s culture stands out in several key ways. First and foremost, there's a strong sense of mission-driven purpose. Employees feel deeply connected to their work because they, along with their friends and family, can directly benefit from PHIL’s services. This creates a palpable sense of impact, both on an individual and company-wide level.
Secondly, there's a culture of mutual respect among employees. This manifests in efficient meetings, transparent communication, and a genuine appreciation for each other's time and ideas.
Lastly, PHIL emphasizes work-life balance in a unique way. Rather than trying to make work feel like family, we encourage efficiency to allow flexibility for personal life outside of work. This approach to remote work is refreshingly forward-thinking. Instead of attempting to replicate an in-office environment remotely, PHIL is reimagining what a remote work culture can be.
Can you share a memorable experience or achievement from your time here that you’re particularly proud of?
In the months since joining PHIL, I've had the opportunity to make significant strides in our hiring processes, which I'm particularly proud of. When I arrived, I observed that our growing company had naturally developed diverse hiring approaches across different teams. This decentralized system reflected the entrepreneurial spirit of our managers but also presented an opportunity for streamlining.
My focus has been on creating a unified, centralized hiring process that builds upon the strengths of PHIL’s existing practices. This new approach is designed to give time back to our hiring managers, allowing them to focus more on their core responsibilities. At the same time, we're enhancing the candidate experience by leveraging the expertise of our newly formed recruiting team.
The results have been rewarding. We've created a more efficient and effective hiring system that benefits the entire organization. I find great satisfaction in organizing and optimizing processes like this. It's exciting to witness tangible improvements in our ability to hire faster and better, and I'm thrilled about the foundation we're laying for future growth.
As PHIL continues to grow, what initiative(s) are you most excited about implementing?
I'm excited to build upon PHIL’s culture by implementing processes that will enhance it and keep employees proud to work here. When I think about HR initiatives that truly matter to employees, retain high performers, and cultivate an effective culture, three key elements come to mind:
Great relationships with managers
Clear opportunities for growth within the company
Work that leaves employees feeling fulfilled and challenged
These elements form the foundation of our upcoming initiatives. We're focusing on creating comprehensive manager training programs and providing toolkits to help managers give effective feedback to their teams. We plan to develop career ladders to help employees visualize their growth potential within the organization.
Additionally, we're working on improving transparent communication to help employees better understand the company's goals and how their individual work contributes to these objectives. This understanding is crucial for helping people feel connected to their work every day.
By starting with these fundamental areas, we can make significant improvements to PHIL’s cultural foundation and continue to build upon it as we grow. These initiatives will not only enhance our existing culture but also ensure we're well-positioned to support our rapid growth.
On a more personal note, what's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
Well, I'm a bit of an Abraham Lincoln nerd. I grew up in Springfield, Illinois, which is known as the "Land of Lincoln." In this town, Lincoln isn't just a historical figure – he’s a part of everyday life. You see Abraham Lincoln everywhere, from murals on buildings to the names of streets and institutions. So, it’s only natural that my first ever job in high school was at New Salem, a reconstructed village where Lincoln lived when he first came to Illinois. I worked as a historical reenactor, wearing colonial dress and spending my days in a log cabin. I'd churn butter, spin wool, and talk to visitors about life in Lincoln's time. It was quite an experience, and it really deepened my knowledge and interest in Lincoln's life.
The Lincoln enthusiasm in Springfield reached a peak around Lincoln's 200th birthday when the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum opened. I remember how the whole town celebrated - we all flooded the streets wearing top hats in honor of our most famous resident. So, while it might not be obvious from my current work in HR, I've got a wealth of Abraham Lincoln facts tucked away.
Who has been the most influential person in your life, and how have they shaped your personal or professional journey?
The most influential person in my life is undoubtedly my husband. His journey over the past few years has been incredibly challenging, yet inspiring.
In the summer of 2019, he suffered a fall that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. While he was still recovering from post-concussion syndrome, he contracted COVID-19 in March 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, he's been dealing with long COVID, which left him mostly bedbound for several years.
Despite these enormous challenges, my husband has shown remarkable resilience. What truly amazes me is his ability to find joy even in such life-altering circumstances. His strength in the face of adversity has been a profound source of inspiration for me. Witnessing his journey has given me the confidence to grow and face my own challenges, both personally and professionally. He is, without a doubt, the strongest person I know.
His unwavering belief in me motivates me to push my boundaries and strive to make a positive impact on the world. His resilience and support have shaped my approach to life and work, reminding me of the power of perseverance and the importance of finding joy, even in difficult times.
Interested in joining the Phil team? Check out our company page to discover our exciting job opportunities.
