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KEZIE KARUORO-KIHARA
HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR PVH CORP
Kezie Karuoro-Kihara is a resilient and visionary Human Resource Director at PVH Corp- a global leader in apparel that owns the iconic brands – Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.
With over two decades of experience in strategic human resources management and executive leadership, Kezie has been instrumental in shaping the HR function to serve as a core business driver across diverse African markets.
Academically grounded with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Kezie also holds a Global Diploma in Executive Leadership Coaching, certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Corporate Board Governance from the Women on Boards Network. These credentials underpin her empathetic, yet strategic leadership style, empowering her to cultivate high-impact development and authentic mentorship.
Kezie’s extensive career journey began at BAT, managing international assignees, establishing her early cross-cultural fluency. She further sharpened her capabilities in various Senior HR leadership roles as the Head of HR East Africa at SGS and Human Capital Leader at both PwC and Novo Nordisk where Kezie honed her talent at matching talent strategy with operational demands. At PVH Corp for the last six years, she leads the Africa Hub’s HR strategy.
At PVH, Kezie has revolutionized HR by embedding talent analytics, modular learning, and agile HR teams directly aligned with business growth and operational excellence. She has pioneered innovative graduate recruitment and development initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion, dismantling traditional barriers in corporate leadership pipelines. Her philosophy that organizational culture functions as a critical customer-facing differentiator has led to measurable outcomes linking employee wellbeing to elevated customer satisfaction, retention, and performance metrics – reinforcing the profitability of human-centered HR.
Beyond her immediate role, Kezie is a prominent advocate for advancing HR as the custodian of employee experience, paralleling the role marketing plays in customer experience. Her contributions to regional diversity and inclusion forums emphasize rigorous systems thinking and inclusive policy frameworks, reinforcing brand consistency and strategic expansion in East Africa.
Through her leadership, the Africa Hub has transformed from a perceived cost center into a dynamic culture and people engine aligned with compliance and growth objectives. Looking ahead, Kezie champions sophisticated HR tools such as real-time employee feedback, predictive retention models, and inclusion scorecards to enable brands to lead with authenticity and purpose.
Through a unique blend of local and global education and insight, Kezie Karuoro-Kihara personifies strategic, mindful HR leadership that elevates corporate strategy into collective success, making culture an invaluable organizational asset. Her extensive governance and voluntary commitments further demonstrate her dedication to sustainable growth and community empowerment.
With the rise of artificial intelligence AI, Kezie foresees HR evolving into a more data-driven, predictive, and personalized discipline. She is actively preparing for this shift by upskilling in AI-powered talent analytics and workforce planning tools to enhance decision-making accuracy and employee experience customization. Embracing AI does not replace the human element but rather empowers HR to anticipate workforce trends, optimize talent deployment, and focus on strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth while maintaining empathy and inclusivity at the core.
Coaching remains a cornerstone of Kezie’s leadership philosophy. Recognizing that ongoing development is critical for both individual and organizational success, she integrates coaching frameworks into talent programs to cultivate leadership capabilities and foster a culture of continuous learning. Her Executive Leadership Coaching Diploma and emotional intelligence – EQ – expertise enable her to mentor emerging leaders effectively, helping them navigate challenges, build resilience, and unlock their full potential. This coaching culture not only enhances performance but also strengthens engagement and retention across teams.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Kezie has served on numerous boards and is currently serving as a Board Member at Power Financial Wellness. Her governance expertise is complemented by a robust portfolio of voluntary leadership roles including Trustee at the Junior Golf Foundation Kenya, Trustee of the SGS and PVH/Octagon Pension Funds, Vice Lady Captain, rising rapidly to Lady Captain at Limuru Country Club, and HR, Club Services and Junior Golf committees’ memberships at Karen Country Club.
An avid golfer and fitness/wellness champion, Kezie follows a strict fitness regime that balances her professional commitments. When not at work, she can often be found on the golf course, in the gym, or on a running track – activities that sustain her energy and focus, contributing to her overall leadership effectiveness.
