Karla Calinawan

Karla Calinawan is the founder of Foundree, a mission-driven startup that empowers working parents and helps organizations build inclusive, resilient workplaces. A Columbia MBA with executive experience in high-growth tech scale-ups, Karla brings deep expertise in strategy, customer success, and leadership development. As a mother of three who has navigated the return-to-work transition herself, she now helps companies design structured reboarding systems that retain talent and strengthen culture—especially through moments that are often overlooked but high impact.

Suggested interview topics:

1. Why the Return from Parental Leave Is a Talent Retention Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

Talking Points:
- Most companies plan for leave—but not the return—and that’s where attrition risk spikes
- How a structured reboarding experience builds trust, loyalty, and team performance
- Three simple actions HR leaders can take to retain high-performing parents
- Why managers need scripts, not just empathy, to support returning employees

2. Caregivers Are Under Pressure—But Also an Untapped Leadership Pipeline”

Talking Points:
- Working parents face higher stress, but also demonstrate high-value skills under pressure
- How caregiving sharpens prioritization, resilience, and emotional intelligence
- The motherhood penalty vs. the fatherhood bonus: what it reveals about workplace bias
- What companies can do to reframe caregiving as a strength—not a liability