Mattel welcomes an ex-KFC HR dynamo as chief people officer

Karen Ancira starts at the Barbie and Hot Wheels toyco next week, with an initial focus on workplace culture, DEI programs and organizational development.

Toy giant Mattel has hired veteran human resources leader Karen Ancira as its new EVP and chief people officer. 

Ancira starts next week, reporting directly to company chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz. She will oversee all of Mattel’s HR operations in a remit that includes building a progressive workplace culture, fostering organizational development and spearheading new DEI programs. 

Prior to accepting this new post, Ancira worked at multinational fast-food corporation Yum! Brands for 11 years, most recently as a chief people and culture officer for KFC’s US branch. In just two years, she led the division through a leadership transition, launched a new end-to-end HR agenda for its employees, and achieved 100% gender parity in pay throughout the organization. 

Before that, she developed and executed HR programs for other KFC regional divisions including South Pacific (2018-2022), LatAm & Caribbean (2016-2018) and the UK & Ireland (2013-2016). Ancira started her career in 2005 at PepsiCo, where she worked her way up the ranks over eight years from cultural transformation coordinator to organization and management development manager.