Her Story
About Carlyne
Carlyne Ervin, MBA, SHRM-CP, PHR, is a senior Human Resources Executive with more than 20 years of experience leading people strategy, organizational development, and culture transformation across complex nonprofit and corporate environments. She is recognized by SHRM as a national thought leader, known for building inclusive, high-performing workplaces where employees thrive and organizations achieve sustainable growth. Throughout her career, she has partnered with CEOs, Boards, and executive leadership teams to design and execute long-term people strategies that elevate leadership capability, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and modernize HR infrastructure.
In her current role as Vice President of Human Resources at Chrysalis, Carlyne oversees a multi-site workforce supporting more than 1,000 employees across Southern California. She has led transformative enterprise initiatives including HRIS modernization, total rewards redesign, leadership development programs, employee engagement strategy, and organizational redesign. Her leadership has driven measurable outcomes such as improved retention, enhanced HR efficiency, strengthened compliance, and the development of scalable systems that integrate data, accountability, and culture-building practices.
Carlyne is widely respected for transforming HR into a strategic, data-driven function rooted in both analytics and humanity. She is passionate about advancing equity, strengthening leadership pipelines, and creating workplaces grounded in belonging and performance. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix along with SHRM-CP and PHR certifications. Beyond her professional achievements, she values family, community, and creativity, finding balance through meaningful relationships, storytelling, and a lifelong commitment to personal and professional growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carlyne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my 28-year career in human resources and my current role as an HR leader at Chrysalis, a nonprofit social enterprise supporting 280 permanent staff and 1,200 transitional employees. My key accomplishments include modernizing HR systems such as performance management and benefits platforms, and creating an innovative podcast-style employee handbook to improve engagement. I also credit my MBA from the University of Phoenix, HR certifications, and the balance I gain from my long marriage, travel, and baking, all of which keep me grounded and focused.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that you can have a successful career while also making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering human resources is that you can build a fulfilling and successful career while also making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the ability to elevate the HR function beyond traditional administration and position it as a true driver of organizational culture, innovation, and employee experience. In my current role, I am also focused on expanding my professional brand by sharing thought leadership, modernizing HR practices, and leveraging new platforms to amplify impact. At the same time, the challenge lies in keeping pace with rapidly evolving workforce expectations, technology, and the need to balance operational efficiency with a deeply human-centered approach to leadership.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life center on dedication, purpose, and balance. I have spent 28 years in human resources, and I truly fell in love with the field because of the opportunity to work hard while making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Outside of work, I value the time I spend with my husband of nearly 28 years and our Pomeranian, Ginger, whether we are taking walks, traveling together—such as our upcoming trip to Greece—or simply enjoying life at home. I also find joy and grounding in baking from scratch, which reflects my appreciation for care, creativity, and family.
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