Speakers

Kathe Yamagata is the Founder and CEO of Purple Squirrel Enterprises, a people-first Fractional HR and Talent Acquisition firm helping growing companies navigate hiring, compliance, and workforce strategy in an evolving world of work. With over 30 years of experience across HR leadership, talent acquisition, coaching, and organizational consulting, Kathe has partnered with startups, high-growth, emerging companies, and established organizations to build scalable, inclusive, and effective hiring practices. Her work sits at the intersection of technology and human judgment, advising leaders on how to leverage automation without losing empathy, trust, or culture. Known for her practical, candid approach, Kathe brings real-world insight into how AI is reshaping hiring—and where the human element remains irreplaceable.