From People Business Partner to Community Builder: Meet KaLeena Walsh

At Nutanix, our employees are at the heart of all we do. Their stories of growth, innovation, and community involvement shape the vibrant culture that defines our company. Today, we’re excited to highlight KaLeena Walsh, a People Business Partner from our People team (also known as Human Resources). KaLeena opens up about her journey within Nutanix, including her professional development, experience as a working parent, and how she’s made an impact in her role, and by fostering community and connection across the broader company too.

What is your current role? 

“I’m a People Business Partner based in the Durham, North Carolina area.” 

Tell us about what you do as a People Business Partner.

“I champion the employee experience by providing employees with the support they need to perform at their best. I partner with our leaders on employee and leader development opportunities, provide data-driven insights, and strategize on how to align teams to our business goals.

I currently work with the Americas Sales team that focuses on federal, state, local and education government accounts as well as commercial accounts. The client group I partner with includes our sellers and technical salespeople, or sales engineers. I love my clients!”

Tell us about your journey at Nutanix.

“I joined Nutanix in 2018 as a contractor. A year later, I accepted a full time employee role where I worked on the Global People Services (GPS) side of our business. 

At Nutanix, GPS includes onboarding, offboarding and everything in between. It was an exciting challenge to learn about the backend of Human Resources (HR)–all the tools, systems and processes that make it run. Every day brought new opportunities for learning, problem solving and making an impact by supporting employees with HR inquiries at important moments in their employee journeys.

From there, I took on an HR Advisor role where I’d guide and assist employees with more complex questions and issues. It strengthened my experience in employee relations, which I discovered I love. 

That experience and skill development led me to progress into a People Business Partner role, which I’m in today. I recently celebrated 6 years at Nutanix [in August 2024].”

How have you developed and grown during your time at Nutanix?

“I have strengthened my business acumen, developed strong relationships with my leaders and peers, and learned so much about how a Sales organization operates, including experiencing Sales Kick Off [our annual global sales team event for employees].

Each year during our check-in process [for performance management], I reflect on where I was versus where I am. In the last year, I grew from supporting 15 leaders to over 30 leaders today. To have earned that responsibility is a testament to working hard, meaning it and wanting to do a great job–not just not just for a paycheck, but for the overall good of Nutanix.”

What makes Nutanix a special place to work?

“The work that I'm able to do and the impact. 

If you see a business opportunity to address something that doesn't yet exist, you have the opportunity to create it at Nutanix. I know that I have a voice here and that I'm a partner in the business.

Another thing that is special is my team. We take ‘we work as one team’ seriously. We thrive because we support each other, keep one another informed and work together as thought partners.”

Can you share an example of when you saw a business opportunity to create something new that didn’t exist yet at Nutanix?

“One of my proudest achievements is founding our Family Experience [employee resource] group. 

The group celebrates families of all shapes and sizes. It’s a place for employees to connect and support one another. There are many different family structures, and we find value in every walk of life. We provide support, resources and connection for our group members, including hosting events, engaging in discussion via Slack, and highlighting Nutanix employee benefits that are relevant to our community.

The idea for the group was born out of desperation when the world was upside down with the impacts of COVID and a lot of social injustice [in the US]. I have two sons on opposite ends of the age spectrum. My youngest is 11 years old and my eldest is 24 years old.

I was having to explain the puzzling state of the world to them, while balancing my own understanding, digesting what was happening, and trying to keep up my own mental health. On top of it, there was a Zoom phenomenon while we worked remote during the height of the pandemic. It was difficult to turn on my camera and to plaster on a smile knowing I’d just finished crying about the social injustice that was all over the news prior to that meeting. 

It was a lot to manage and I struggled. I needed an outlet and I realized I couldn’t be the only one feeling this way. 

So, I put together a proposal for what would eventually become Family Experience. I wanted to gauge if anyone else was feeling similarly. I wanted to find a way for us to help each other, to stay solution-focused, and to feel empowered on tough days.

From there, my idea blossomed. I shared my proposal with our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager, and then our Vice President of People Business Partners, our Senior Director of Employee Relations, and our Chief People Officer. I garnered their support and refined my idea, until we were ready to launch the group [in January 2023]. 

The group will celebrate our two year anniversary in 2025. It’s been rewarding to experience the community we’ve built and we have some great things on the horizon.”

Family Experience recently hosted Next Generation Day. Can you tell us a bit about that?

“Our first Next Gen Day took place in July 2024. It’s a day where employees get to invite their family members into our workplace to experience what it’s like to be a Nutanix employee. 

Thinking big and starting small, we hosted the day in two of our US offices [San Jose, California and Durham, North Carolina]. 

Employees who are parents, grandparents or caregivers brought in youth family members who joined us for lunch, toured our office, played in our game rooms, and asked our leadership team questions in an informal panel. The day concluded with an interactive volunteer event to benefit charity: water [a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean drinking water to communities worldwide and one of our top causes supported at Nutanix].

It was well received and we hope to expand it to other regions in the future.”

How has being a parent shaped how you show up at work?

“Being a parent has taught me to lead from my heart. It’s shaped my commitment to living with integrity and treating others with dignity. So much of parenthood translates into what you're doing day to day, and the lessons you instill in your children.

Being a parent is the biggest investment. It’s hard work that’s important and fun.

My family is everything–my biggest motivators. My kids influence every decision I make, and push me to keep going.”

Do you have any advice on how to balance family and work?

“Prioritize your loved ones. Create and cherish moments that matter because the nights are long, but the years are short.”

What interests do you enjoy outside of work?

“I love do-it-yourself home improvement projects. I grew up in a construction household and I know my way around the toolbox. I wind down with home improvement projects, by getting out in my garden, or with music.”

What advice would you share with someone on how to build a successful career at Nutanix?

“Show up ready to work and give it a hundred percent. There will be moments where you are unsure or afraid. Take the next step anyways. The discomfort you feel sharpens you as you get outside of your comfort zone.”

How has Nutanix supported your professional development?

“A host of people have been influential in my Nutanix journey–too many to name. I want to acknowledge three people who have been instrumental for me.

The first is Hema Look [our Vice President, People Business Partners]. 

During the pandemic, I was going through it. Each day, I’d find a way to button it up, pull my shoulders back and put my chin up, and Hema made it a point to check in with me, which meant so much. She had a conversation with me where she asked, “how do you need me to show up for you?” I truly respect her leadership. 

Another leader that I would be remiss to not shout out, is Alicia Ludes [our Director, People Business Partners]. She is a godsend–a beautiful person inside and out. I don't have the words to describe her heart. She is not only tuned in to our day-to-day work as a PBP, but also with our personal development, which keeps me enthusiastic, invested and motivated to serve. It is a pleasure and honor to serve on her team. 

Last, but certainly not least, Kat Liu [Employee Relations Director]. Kat’s leadership style and approach has been impressive and admirable throughout the years. She is committed to seeing others succeed. I am personally grateful for her generosity and commitment to me.”

Thank you to KaLeena for sharing her story and for the passion, drive and sense of community she brings to Nutanix. She is an inspiring example of how our employees challenge themselves, grow and innovate, and build community and support to thrive and make a difference. 

Want to learn more about Life at Nutanix? Explore our blog and careers page to learn more.

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