Caroline Osborne

"I attribute my success to caring deeply and having the quiet confidence to keep going, even when I feel stuck or unsure. I care deeply about people, about doing meaningful work well, and about leaving things better than I found them. My care for the work has pushed me to put myself out there, take on hard things, ask thoughtful questions, receive feedback, and keep learning.

I’ve learned to trust my ability to grow through what I do not know yet. I may not always have the full roadmap at the beginning, but I believe in showing up with optimism, ownership, and a willingness to do the work. Those qualities have helped me navigate ambiguity, build strong relationships, and continue becoming the kind of leader and partner I want to be."

“The best career advice I’ve received was to be a sponge. Early in my career, a mentor encouraged me to learn something from every leader, every teammate, and every experience. Some people will show you qualities you want to carry forward, and others may teach you what you would approach differently.

I’ve learned so much by watching the people around me, asking questions, listening, and being observant.”

“I would encourage young women entering the workforce to say yes to opportunities, even the ones that may not seem like the obvious fit at first. Some of the experiences that shaped me most came from industries, environments, and roles I never originally planned for. Early in my career, I learned that you do not have to have everything perfectly mapped out before taking action. Growth, confidence, and clarity often come from being willing to step forward and learn along the way.

One of my favorite lines from The Sound of Music is, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” I love that reminder because it speaks to the way unexpected opportunities can become meaningful parts of your story if you are willing to stay open to them.

I would also encourage young women to pay close attention to the people and culture around them, not just the title or salary attached to a role. The leaders you learn from and the environment you work in can have a lasting impact on your development, confidence, and overall happiness.”

“One of the biggest opportunities in the People field right now is continuing to evolve HR from an administrative function into a true business partner function. The strongest People teams are deeply connected to the business. They help leaders navigate change, develop talent, strengthen culture, and drive meaningful outcomes through people strategy.

I’ve been fortunate to experience this firsthand at Brinker International, where our PeopleWorks model is business-minded, collaborative, and closely connected to the needs of the organization. At its best, People work is not separate from the business. It is part of how the business grows, adapts, and takes care of its people.“

“Hospitality is one of the values that matters most to me. To me, hospitality is about making people feel seen, welcomed, cared for, and valued. It shows up in how we treat our families, friends, coworkers, Team Members, and guests. At its core, hospitality reflects the way I hope people feel after interacting with me: respected, supported, and genuinely cared for.

Optimism is another value I carry with me. Growing up, my family often used the phrase “find the flowers.” The idea was simple: even when there are weeds everywhere, there are flowers too. You just have to be willing to look for them.

For me, finding the flowers means choosing to believe there is good to be found somewhere in every person, season, and situation. It does not mean ignoring what is hard. It means looking for what is meaningful, hopeful, or worth learning from, even when it is not immediately obvious. Finding the flowers reminds me that we all have the power to choose how we move through life. I choose flowers.”