Pioneer Profile: Faith McCree

It’s time that we recognise the people behind the evolving world of work. Our working lives have shifted to being more inclusive, more people-centric, more flexible, and just plain better for both employees and companies. 

These changes didn’t just happen: they were put into place and upheld by individuals and teams working to create a better working future for everyone. 

So we’re finally putting the spotlight on the people who make great companies great: the people-people.  

People-people are crucial to the success of every company. They find you the talent that drives you forwards, and they’ve taken on an increasingly strategic role in the past few years – often taking on responsibility for mental health, diversity and inclusion, culture, EVPs, Employer Branding and team happiness. 

Read more about the Pioneers List and go behind the scenes to understand how and why we’ve selected our Pioneers.

Tell us a little bit about your career history, and how you got to where you are now. What were the key milestones?

I began my career in recruiting and human resources over a decade ago and feel incredibly fortunate to have found this field early on! Starting in recruiting opened countless doors, allowing me to see firsthand the genuine power of aligning people with purpose—a philosophy that has really driven my own career. I believe that pursuing purposeful work is key; when you’re motivated by impact, you can often find fulfilment regardless of the company. This outlook has been the foundation of my career journey.

While in staffing & consulting, I worked with over 250 companies on their recruiting needs and hiring best practices. This diverse experience across company sizes, stages, and industries refined my skills, gave me a comprehensive understanding of talent strategy, and instilled in me a sense of grit, resilience, and a proactive mindset. Along the way, I was honoured with the “Rising Leader” award from a top U.S. recruiting agency; an award created to recognise those who contributed significantly to the organisation’s success through fortitude and leadership. This milestone fuelled my passion for driving impact and affirmed my dedication to purposeful work.

This path then led me to The Pipeline Group, where I initially joined as Head of Recruiting, focusing on sourcing, attracting, and acquiring top talent. In this role, I shaped our recruitment practices, emphasising diversity, automation, and purpose-driven hiring—which ultimately laid the foundation for my transition to VP of Talent Strategy (my current role). Now, I lead all facets of talent: attraction, acquisition, development, and retention. It's an opportunity that enables me to extend my expertise into HR and People Operations—a natural progression from my recruiting roots and a true reflection of my passion for people-centred approaches.

When did you become interested in the future of work?

My interest in the future of work was really propelled after the pandemic, but it’s also deeply influenced by my own experiences as a working mom and a first-generation Hmong American. Navigating these roles has given me firsthand insight into the unique challenges faced by individuals balancing professional growth with personal and cultural responsibilities. The shift toward hybrid and remote work has shown me how flexible arrangements can not only boost productivity and well-being, but also create new opportunities for underserved groups, including women and people of colour, who may have faced barriers in traditional office settings.

What is the most impactful change that you’ve implemented?

One of the most impactful changes I’ve championed has been a commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

I expanded our candidate profiles, which led to a more diverse workforce, including a 23% increase in women in the traditionally male-dominated field of Tech Sales. I also advocated for introducing paid parental leave to support life milestones and working parents, as well as expanding access to mental health days to prioritize employee well-being. These changes are a commitment to supporting employees through important moments & empowering them to return to work ready to continue advancing their careers. While there is always more work to be done, I’m excited to keep breaking down barriers and driving positive, lasting change within our organisation and its practices.

Additionally, I’ve prioritised our investment in leadership training and coaching that focuses on essential EQ skills, equipping managers to inspire and support their teams more effectively. This people-centred approach has significantly improved employee retention & satisfaction. As a result, we’ve achieved a 16% internal promotion rate—well above the industry standard of 6%—as more employees feel motivated to stay, develop, and contribute meaningfully to our shared goals.

What’s the biggest challenge of being in your role/industry right now?

In my view, one of the biggest challenges we face today is balancing rapid growth with a sustainable, human-centred approach. As companies scale, maintaining a strong, unified culture while adapting to evolving demands and competition can be complex—especially in a fully remote environment where fostering connection and alignment can already require more intentional effort.

Another ongoing challenge is keeping our processes and tools agile without compromising quality or compliance in an increasingly nuanced regulatory landscape. To meet both internal and external needs, it will be important to stay ahead of industry trends, embrace thoughtful innovation, and continuously adapt as we grow.

What do you think the next big trend is in working culture?

I believe the next big trend will be the evolution toward a significantly more diverse workforce as companies embrace remote and hybrid roles, accessing talent from varied backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This diversity brings incredible opportunities, but also emphasises the need for heightened Emotional Intelligence (EQ) across teams as a real skill to cultivate collaboration and cohesion in a more complex and layered cultural landscape.