Our Team

Ms. Desmond has 20+ years of experience in the human resources field. She began her career in 2005 at Skadden Arps, a well-renowned international law firm, where she proved herself a highly effective team builder and facilitator capable of fostering a strong culture. This led to a career path in human resources, working at several law firms and ultimately serving as Human Resources Director at MG+M.

Ms. Desmond’s career then transitioned and she brought her talents to the pharmaceutical industry, working at Charles River Associates as the Global Director, Employee Relations, Vertex Pharmaceuticals as their Employee Relations Director, and most recently, as Vice President, Head of People and Culture for Ultivue. By the time she joined CRC in 2023, she had honed her HR skills across a range of diverse sectors that include professional services, biotech, and pharma.

An avid coach of continuous improvement and development both within organizations and outside of work, Ms. Desmond enjoys supporting teams in achieving their highest potential by helping them identify and capitalize on their strengths.

Ms. Desmond is professionally certified as a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) and holds a Master’s in Human Resources and Adult Organizational Management from Suffolk University, Boston. She also serves on the board of directors for Wellstrong, a nonprofit organization focused on physical and mental wellness.

When she isn’t overseeing CRC’s talent acquisition and creating systems to inspire employees and help develop their careers, Ms. Desmond can be found practicing mindfulness, writing, reading, and traveling.