A Summary of Kudos: My Time at Rancho Biosciences

Behind every strong company is a steady hand in HR. In this reflection, Serena shares her journey as Head of HR at Rancho Biosciences; what mattered, what made a difference, and the unexpected impact of simply showing up. It’s a quiet celebration of the moments that often go unseen. A summary of kudos, both given and received.

As I look back on my time at Rancho Biosciences, I’m filled with gratitude. Over the past year and a half, I had the privilege of serving as the Head of HR, working alongside some of the most driven, thoughtful, and innovative people I’ve met in my career. It was more than a job, it was a chapter of growth, learning, and meaningful relationships.

In the fast-paced world of life sciences, HR can often feel like a balancing act. But at Rancho, it felt like a partnership. Whether I was helping someone navigate their parental leave, onboarding new team members, resolving a payroll question, or simply showing up with a smile during our socials…every interaction mattered.

And to my surprise, many of those moments resonated beyond the day-to-day. As I prepared to move on, I received dozens of messages from colleagues across the organization. Their words reminded me why I do what I do. Below are just a few snapshots of the kind notes I received:

"You've always been so kind, positive, and easy to work with… they’re lucky to have you!" — Alena

"Thank you for taking such thoughtful care of all of us, ICs included!" — Tina

"I wish you all the success and happiness in the future! Will miss 'seeing' you during socials!" — Amrita

"Your support in HR and many other areas has been invaluable in shaping a positive workplace." — Bing

"Thank you for managing my Velocity account 😊 and for all your hard work!" — Anna

"You’ve always brought a calm, easy-going presence to the workplace." — Marc, CEO

"Your efficiency, attention to detail, and kindness made a meaningful difference." — Karthik

"You were the first face I encountered at Rancho—thank you for making it all so smooth!" — Lauren

"I’ll miss you at the Rancho Socials!" — Johno

Each message felt like a small window into the impact HR can make when it's done with care, clarity, and consistency.

The Power of Showing Up

What made this experience special wasn't a single achievement; it was the consistency in showing up. Whether it was payroll questions at 7 AM, late-night onboarding support across time zones, or helping a new parent navigate leave policies, the goal was always to be accessible and helpful.

At Rancho, I found an environment that welcomed that approach. I’m grateful to Julie Bryant for the opportunity, and to every team member who reached out to say thanks, ask questions, or even just chat during a virtual social.

As I step into my next chapter, I carry these messages with me, not as a farewell, but as fuel. HR done right is invisible when things are smooth and indispensable when things get bumpy. I’m proud to have helped steer that ship for a while.

Takeaways

As someone who’s spent years walking alongside CEOs and HR leaders through growth, change, and tough calls, I can tell you this: the right HR partnership makes all the difference. 

If you’re looking for support that’s strategic, honest, and tailored to your real-world challenges, I’d love to connect. 

Let’s build something that works for your business and your people.

Visit https://www.executivecompasshr.com/ 

Call 760-504-6352

Email to serena@execucompass.com