TPG’s Managing Director of People Operations Karla Thommen, MS, SHRM-SCP, is a strategic people operations leader dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture at The Partners Group. And this month, she hit the 20-year milestone at TPG! Congratulations, Karla.

As managing director, she oversees HR and learning & development, ensuring initiatives align with business goals and enhance employee experience. With extensive experience in talent management, leadership development, and organizational strategy, Karla has transformed HR into a proactive, strategic function. She has led major initiatives in performance management, compensation, onboarding automation, and leadership training, driving employee engagement and retention. Previously, she launched a population health management consulting practice for healthcare organizations, improving workforce well-being and reducing costs. She also serves as an adjunct business instructor and is an active mentor and speaker.

Karla holds a master’s in management and organizational leadership and is a SHRM-SCP-certified professional. She is Prosci certified in change management and a certified Fierce Conversations training facilitator. She also sits on the advisory board of the OSU School of Business Management program and the Connect HR Leadership Summit.


We talked with her a little bit about her time here at The Partners Group.

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Karla, what do you remember from Day 1 at TPG?
I think I was both excited and numb on my first day. I had left my previous employer of 11 years, so this was a big step! I was excited to join a lauded culture and was already familiar with TPG, having been an account manager on their accounts from the vendor side of things.

What’s the one work accomplishment from TPG that you’re most proud of? Or, the most important lesson you’ve learned?
Wow! That’s a tough one as I’ve enjoyed an eclectic career growth at TPG, having held five different positions. I started as an employee benefits (EB) account manager, moved to manager of EB, director of EB, then to first director of organizational development (operations), and back to client service as a population health consultant to healthcare systems. And now I’m enjoying my current career path as managing director of people operations. I have so much to be proud of and I’m grateful that TPG has allowed me to have this eclectic and envigorating career.

The highlight of my career is the work I did with some of the largest healthcare organizations in the US to improve the health and wellbeing of their caregivers. What a pleasure to be at the table to consult, project manage, and see the fruit of this work through employee testimonials. Our strategies saved their lives or mitigated serious health conditions they did not know were on the precipice of a chronic or major health event.

As a business professor and an organizational development and workforce management geek (self-professed 😊), this work stretched me, challenged me, and exponentially increased my knowledge and abilities. Additionally, I developed amazing relationships with my clients. In fact, after losing my husband David unexpectedly in 2020, one of my clients invited me to go to Paris with them – we had a great time!

If you weren’t at TPG in People Operations, what would your dream job be?
First, I have the most fun job in the company. I love what I do and who I do it for. I’ve had an amazing career at TPG and wouldn’t replace it for anything! The next-most fun thing for me to do is public speaking. I am a learner and educator and love to speak to groups on topics related to management and leadership, communication, and more. I’ve enjoyed speaking to large and small groups, and it’s a blast! I jump at any chance I get to share my experience and knowledge with groups.

What’s the TPG core value that currently resonates most strongly with you? (Play well w/ others, own it, Be a Champion, Have fun and live well, Be curious)
At work and in life it’s to be curious. I’d like to think my curiosity and my FIO (figure it out) nature has afforded me the career I’ve had at TPG. Personally, it’s to have Fun and live well. After losing David, my life moto became joie de vivre, which is French of the joy of living. What I do with my time and energy should bring joy and add joy to others. That includes where I invest my time and talent from a career perspective. TPG and my colleagues here bring me so much joy!

What’s one word you’d use to describe your past 20 years at TPG?
Variety! If I could have a second word, it would be fun.

Thanks for the past 20 years, Karla. Congratulations from all your friends and colleagues at TPG.