Based in Australia, Camilla Kelly is Head of People and Culture for John Deere.
She's a passionate, driven and adventurous employee, who enjoys working for John Deere due the company's strong values and commitment to a higher purpose.
A traditional route into human resources career path
Camilla took a traditional Human Resources (HR) career path after studying a bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management (HRM) at University.
"I started as a payroll/HR officer working for a bank in Sweden and realised how much I enjoyed the Strategic Business aspects of HR after being offered to lead some exciting HR projects. I went back to university and studied a Master of Business in HRM and took an HR Advisory role in a tech company," explains Camilla.
Camilla then progressed to a National HRM role in a Steel company, which she really enjoyed as it provided her with the full depth and breadth of HRM. The company was bought up by a global business and after having her first child, Camilla developed a deep passion for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and was offered an opportunity as National Program Leader and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Specialist to lead national organisational development & DEI initiatives.
Camilla was then promoted to Manager – Corporate HR and Organisational Capability within the Global Corporate office where she could continue these organisational development and DEI initiatives on a global scale, whilst also working as a HR Business Partner to the Corporate office executives. The experience I received lead her to her current role as Head of People & Culture for Australia & New Zealand with John Deere.
Camilla says her role is both inspiring and empowering. Her focus is on enabling John Deere's people to achieve the company’s business strategy, ensuring employees can be the best they can be.
Some of the key strengths that Camilla regularly draws upon include decision-making, strategic planning, empathy, developing long-term plans, change leadership, setting goals, inspiring action, empowering others, coaching, and mediation.
"It's fantastic to be part of a company that has a clear vision and plan to achieve a higher purpose, whilst living its strong values within everything it does," explains Camilla.
Encouraging women to have a seat at the table at John Deere
Camilla says there are many talented women working for John Deere, and that it's important women partner with the business and have a seat at the table to create innovative solutions that enables business success.
"Our regional DEI journey has been particularly rewarding – hearing employees describe how it has made a real difference to them in their lives, and knowing that we are contributing to a more inclusive organization and equal society, is incredible fulfilling," says Camilla.
Respect, collaboration and friendliness are highly valued
Camilla shares sound advice to women hoping to join John Deere. "Respect, collaboration and friendliness are highly valued as part of our inclusive culture, and there is a lot of pride within John Deere employees about being part of such a legendary and inspirational company."
When not working, Camilla can be found spending time with family and friends, traveling, horse riding, cooking, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Join John Deere and be proud of what can be accomplished
Interested in a career with John Deere?
Check out the latest career vacancies and apply.
Find out more
Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.