Sara Kelly serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer at Starbucks Corporation, where she leads the company's global partner experience, benefits, compensation, and well-being initiatives. With over two decades at Starbucks, Kelly joined the company in 2001 as a district manager in Partner Resources, quickly rising through the ranks due to her passion for fostering an inclusive and supportive culture for the company's more than 400,000 partners worldwide. Her early career included pivotal roles in global benefits and partner support, where she championed innovative programs that enhanced employee engagement and retention during periods of rapid international expansion. Under Kelly's leadership, Starbucks has implemented groundbreaking partner benefits, including industry-leading mental health resources, tuition reimbursement through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, and equity ownership opportunities via Bean Stock grants. These initiatives have earned national recognition, such as being named a Best Place to Work by Fortune and Glassdoor, and have contributed to record-high partner satisfaction scores. Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President of Global Partner Experience, overseeing compensation strategies that supported fair pay increases and equity adjustments across diverse markets. As Chief Partner Officer, Kelly drives Starbucks' commitment to "partners first," integrating DEI efforts, sustainability-linked well-being programs, and technology-driven tools to personalize partner experiences. Her strategic vision has been instrumental in navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, where she spearheaded emergency pay and support measures that sustained partner loyalty. Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Washington and is a sought-after speaker on workplace culture and employee-centric leadership.