KBS Names Michele Prota as Global Chief Talent Officer

By Erik Oster 

KBS appointed Michele Prota to the position of global chief talent officer. In the role, Prota will be based out of the agency’s New York headquarters and work with global CEO Guy Hayward and the rest of the U.S. leadership team to ensure employee experience and culture are top priorities across the agency’s offices in the U.S., U.K., Canada and China. She will also be tasked with managing the agency’s investment pertaining to talent, as well as responsibilities related to KBS’ digital presence, physical space, and career development opportunities.

“From the moment we met Michele, it was clear that she isn’t afraid to go against the status quo, and her vision for the type of initiatives a modern company needs to recruit and retain talent is very much in line with our thinking,” Hayward said in a statement.

“This hire signifies KBS’ genuine commitment to both our employees and our evolution and I look forward to the bold ideas and unconventional point of view that Michele will undoubtedly bring to the table as we work to make KBS the undisputed home for smart, passionate, multidisciplinary thinkers and creators the world over.”

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Prota joins KBS from The Barbarian Group, where she has served as head of talent and HR since April of 2012. Before joining The Barbarian Group she served as human resources manager at JWT Worldwide for around two and a half years, working out of the agency’s New York office. Prior to that she spent nearly two years as human resources associate for JWT’s RMG Connect, responsible for both its New York and Minneapolis offices. She was among the leaders who left Barbarian Group earlier this year after Cheil Worldwide’s Peter Kim took over as CEO.

“For me, it’s all about creating an environment in which employees can feel genuinely happy and fulfilled,” said Prota. “Not only is KBS the perfect fit for me, but I know it is the perfect fit for smart, enthusiastic folks who are passionate about leveraging technology to modernize companies. I’m excited to create a Talent Experience for present and future KBS employees that separates us from the rest.”

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