Barb Krol is a results-focused Human Resource Executive and Coach with a progressive tenure developing and directing strategic corporate initiatives in dynamic, high-growth environments. Her experiences have shaped her as a change leader and strategic business partner with proven success translating organization business requirements into functional HR programs aligned with corporate culture and future growth. Her focus now is in strong team building and coaching and developing executives and teams to achieve reduced turnover, maximize potential/productivity, and champion change and advancement.

Barb is currently the Chief Associate Experience Officer at Orange County’s Credit Union and has been with the credit union since December of 2022. Prior to joining Orange County’s Credit Union, she was the Chief Human Resources Officer for California Coast Credit Union from April of 2016 until December of 2022.  From July, 2012 to April, 2016 she served as Vice President, Human Resources at Tilly’s, Inc. From 2008 to April, 2012, she served as Vice President, Human Resources at The Wet Seal, Inc., a specialty retailer. From 2007 to 2008, Barb served as the Director, Human Resources at The Home Depot. From 2002 to 2007, she was in several progressive Human Resource management positions with Pacific Sunwear of CA., Inc., with the last position held as Director, Human Resources. Prior to Pacific Sunwear, Barb served in several management titles in Human Resources with The Walt Disney Company and Bath and Body Works, a division of Intimate Brands.

In 2021, Barb was honored with being selected as a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal as Business Women of the Year and in 2022, was honored to be chosen by the San Diego Human Resources Forum as the leader of the Human Resources Team of the Year.  In 2024, Barb was deeply honored with being awarded an Orange County Visionary Leader designation by the Los Angeles Times. 

She has extensive experience in the retail and consumer products industries and is passionate about integrating HR strategies with growth in many forms. Barb holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources through the Human Resources Certification Institute. She was the past President of the National Chapter of the National Human Resources Association and has also served as the VP of Branding for the organization. She was a former Board Member for the San Diego Workforce Partnership in San Diego, which continues to match with her passion for elevating the employment experiences for minorities in our communities.

Barb is a passionate believer in authenticity, bravery and candor.  She is also an ICF accredited Coach from The Hudson Institute.  She coaches with an emphasis on each individual identifying what success means to them and helping them achieve this.  In addition, she thrives on coaching clients in transition, entering the executive arena and those dealing with deep grief.   She has found that grief comes in many packages and quite often learning about your own grief can place you on a path to redesigning your life and finding your hidden strengths and super powers.