Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Leadership Philosophy
Professional Highlights
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Kirstie Bean

Boynton Beach

Summary

Global HR Leader with a passion for unlocking human potential and shaping inclusive, high-performing cultures. With over a decade of experience partnering with VP-level leaders in complex, multinational organizations, I bring a people-first mindset to every business challenge. I’m known for driving strategic change, building future-ready leadership pipelines, and using workforce insights to fuel engagement and growth. Whether leading global reorganizations, launching early talent programs, or advancing diversity across continents, I lead with empathy, courage, and results — as demonstrated by launching talent pipelines that filled 75%+ of manager roles internally and shaping a unified culture across five fragmented entities in Africa.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Global HR Director – Research & Safety Division (RSD), North America & Emerging Markets (Commercial)

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Remote
01.2021 - Current
  • Lead HR strategy for a 1,000-employee commercial organization generating over $6B in revenue.
  • Partner with 11 VPs across Sales & Marketing to drive performance management, talent development, and succession planning.
  • Championed performance enablement through organizational capability building and executive coaching.
  • Executed strategic people plans tailored to commercial functions, key member of the Sales & Marketing leadership team.
  • Collaborated with Centers of Excellence to align initiatives across ER, TA, Compensation, D&I, and Talent Management.
  • Designed and executive repeatable sales leadership pipeline programs for 30+ Top/Upward potential employees, resulting in 75%+ of B7 manager roles filled internally.
  • Accelerated early talent pipeline development and increased internal movement with >60% internal hire rate for sales roles.
  • Reduced mid-tenure turnover by 5% through targeted Practical Process Improvement (PPI) interventions.
  • Co-Chaired Global African Heritage Business Resource Group Symposium in 2024 & 2025.

Global HR Director – Production, Performance & Analytics (PPA)

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Franklin
09.2018 - 01.2021
  • Partnered with VPGM and R&D/Field Service VPs for global HR strategy execution across South Africa, Australia, US, and Germany.
  • Aligned people strategy with business goals using organizational diagnostics, metrics, and workforce insights.
  • Launched leadership development programs for 30+ high-potential employees to build internal successors.
  • Increased diversity by 7% (Global Women) and 6% (POC) through targeted hiring strategies and D&I initiatives.
  • Led global RIFs and successful restructuring projects in Germany and other markets.

HR Leader, Africa

Thermo Fisher Scientific
Johannesburg
04.2016 - 09.2018
  • Spearheaded the unification of five previously siloed entities in South Africa by shaping a 'One Thermo Fisher' culture.
  • Launched the first Thermo Fisher Scientific Day to foster connection, cross-site learning, and community service.
  • Standardized HR operations, policies, and benefits across five legal entities and integrated newly acquired production site.
  • Unified and empowered Africa Leadership Team to drive alignment on strategic goals including BBBEE and D&I.
  • Achieved Top Employer Accreditation (2017, 2018) and secured consecutive BBBEE certifications.

HR Director, South & Southern Africa

GlaxoSmithKline
Johannesburg
03.2013 - 03.2016
  • Served as Executive Board Director, overseeing HR strategy and operations across 11 Southern African countries (850 employees).
  • Lead HR for Novartis JV integration, talent development, change management, and organizational design.
  • Designed and launched Bokomaso graduate program and the Pivotal Management Leadership Program with GIBS Business School certification.
  • Achieved 5-year transformation plan goals in under 2 years and earned Global HR Silver Award for sales force restructuring.

Head of HR

GlaxoSmithKline
South Africa

Commercial HR Manager

GlaxoSmithKline
South Africa

Sales Capability Manager

GlaxoSmithKline
South Africa

National Travel Health Vaccines Training Manager

GlaxoSmithKline
UK

Vaccines Account Manager

GlaxoSmithKline / Chiron
UK

NHS Liaison Executive

Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals
UK

Sr. Primary & Secondary Care Pharmaceutical Rep

Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals
UK

Tissue Viability Sales Representative

Smith & Nephew
UK

Education

Bachelor of Social Science & Humanities - Industrial Sociology & International Politics, Industrial Relations

University of Cape Town
South Africa

Skills

  • Strategic HR leadership
  • Organizational design
  • Change management
  • Talent development
  • Executive coaching
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Workforce planning
  • HR analytics
  • Succession planning
  • Leadership enablement
  • Employee engagement
  • Performance management

Certification

Accredited Insights Discovery Client Practitioner

Accredited Developing Front Line Leaders Facilitator (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Job+ Coach certified (GSK)

Practical Coaching In The Workplace Facilitator (GSK)

Leadership Philosophy

  • I believe that people strategy Is Business strategy. My approach is rooted in curiosity, connection, and clarity — building environments where leaders thrive, teams engage, and organizations grow. I bring a balance of strategic acumen and emotional intelligence, delivering results while putting people first.

Professional Highlights

  • Built internal leadership pipeline that filled 75%+ of B7 sales manager roles.
  • Unified five fragmented entities under a 'One Thermo Fisher' culture in South Africa.
  • Designed and launched several leadership development programs that elevated high-potential employees into succession pipelines.
  • Co-chaired global D&I symposiums and launched early talent programs.
  • Led global RIFs, reorganizations, and M&A integrations across four continents.

Languages

Afrikaans
Full Professional

Timeline

Global HR Director – Research & Safety Division (RSD), North America & Emerging Markets (Commercial)

Thermo Fisher Scientific
01.2021 - Current

Global HR Director – Production, Performance & Analytics (PPA)

Thermo Fisher Scientific
09.2018 - 01.2021

HR Leader, Africa

Thermo Fisher Scientific
04.2016 - 09.2018

HR Director, South & Southern Africa

GlaxoSmithKline
03.2013 - 03.2016

Head of HR

GlaxoSmithKline

Commercial HR Manager

GlaxoSmithKline

Sales Capability Manager

GlaxoSmithKline

National Travel Health Vaccines Training Manager

GlaxoSmithKline

Vaccines Account Manager

GlaxoSmithKline / Chiron

NHS Liaison Executive

Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals

Sr. Primary & Secondary Care Pharmaceutical Rep

Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals

Tissue Viability Sales Representative

Smith & Nephew

Bachelor of Social Science & Humanities - Industrial Sociology & International Politics, Industrial Relations

University of Cape Town