Discover Rebecca Adams’ journey from Bridgewater State to Chief People Officer at Cohesity—a $1.5 billion tech unicorn. Learn about her HR leadership, Gen Z strategies, and inclusion credentials at quickjobalert.in.
Who is Rebecca Adams? Meet the Bridgewater State and Cornell-Educated Chief People Officer Leading a $1.5B Startup
Rebecca Adams stands out in the HR world as the dynamic Chief People Officer at Cohesity, a data protection startup valued at over $1.5 billion with a workforce of nearly 6,000. Known for her strategic vision and expertise in people management, Adams is shaping the future of workplace culture by focusing on Gen Z integration, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion. quickjobalert.in
Academic and Professional Foundations
Rebecca Adams laid the groundwork for her career at Bridgewater State University, completing a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication while gaining leadership experience through active participation in Theta Phi Alpha. She sharpened her professional edge with specialized credentials:
- Human Resource Management Certificate (University of the Pacific, 2016): Focused training in talent management and HR strategy
- Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion (Cornell University, 2022): Deepening expertise in creating inclusive, equitable workplace environments
These academic and professional qualifications have given Adams the versatility and insight needed to lead HR operations in rapidly scaling companies.
Career Journey: From Rotational Programs to HR Leadership
Adams’ professional path combines structured HR experience with hands-on agility in high-growth environments. She:
- Began with corporate rotational programs, learning talent management, succession planning, and the essentials of team leadership
- Excelled in startup-like settings, managing large-scale onboarding, fast workforce expansion, and complex team dynamics
Her strong foundation in talent development and strategic HR has made her well-suited for the complex challenges of modern, multigenerational companies.
Making a Mark at Cohesity: Gen Z, Engagement, and Inclusion
At Cohesity, Adams steers initiatives that address traditional HR challenges and the specific expectations of Gen Z employees. Her achievements include:
- Launching manager training and mentorship programs to boost engagement and retention
- Designing policies for cross-generational collaboration, ensuring both digital-first Gen Z preferences and senior staff’s working styles are supported
- Promoting open communication, empathetic leadership, and clarity of purpose—key to motivating younger employees who value transparency and meaning in their work
Leadership Philosophy
Adams champions a purpose-driven, empathetic, and transparent style of leadership. She believes in:
- Helping Gen Z employees understand the “why” behind their work
- Providing regular, actionable feedback
- Teaching essential workplace skills—such as scheduling, etiquette, and professional communication—to emerging talent
She also helps bridge the technology gap between younger employees favoring tools like Slack and video messaging, and senior staff relying on email and spreadsheets—driving workplace alignment and productivity.
Results and Future Outlook
Rebecca Adams’ leadership has delivered concrete wins:
- Improved engagement and retention rates across teams
- Expansion of internship and development programs
- Empowered managers to lead and inspire multigenerational groups
With Gen Z on track to represent 30% of the workforce by 2030, Adams’ blend of education, strategic HR capability, and empathy is shaping how innovative companies thrive in a changing talent landscape.