Q&A with TEMi Expert Mentor, Karla Costa
TEMi’s Expert Mentors volunteer their time to offer guidance in their field of expertise to TEMi Talent Members, as well as mentorship to junior practitioners. Go behind the scenes and get to to know more about our Expert Mentors in this new interview series – and be sure to reach out to LinkedIn if you want to know more!
About Karla
Karla leads Mercer’s Global Mobility Practice & Industry Networks teams for Australia and New Zealand. She has over fourteen years’ experience in rewards, global mobility operations and consultancy.
Karla is responsible for managing key client relationships, serves as a mobility thought leader and subject matter expert in client-driven consulting and at various global forums, and also regularly contributes to industry conferences, articles and media interviews.
Karla holds a graduate diploma in Business Administration from Federal University of Itajuba and is a Certified Global Mobility Professional member of Worldwide ERC and TEMi. Karla is also an HCD certified practitioner from LUMA Institute.
Find out more about Karla below and reach out to connect – she is here to help if you have questions!
Q&A with Karla
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself?
Karla: Hi, it’s great to meet you! I’m Karla, and I have a wonderful almost 4-year-old son. You’ll likely notice by my accent that I come from countryside Brazil. My passion for Global Mobility began over 15 years ago while working with Johnson & Johnson, where I assisted with a sensitive situation involving expatriates and their families. This experience opened my eyes to the complexities and responsibilities of this field, as well as the significant impact it has on people’s lives and careers. A few years later, I had the chance to dive deeper into Mobility, ultimately contributing to the growth and strengthening of Mercer’s Mobility Practice in Brazil and Latin America. It’s been almost ten years since I moved to Australia, and working with clients in the ANZ region has been an incredible and enlightening experience.
Q: What is the most rewarding/exciting aspect about working in the Talent Mobility Industry today?
Karla:The Global Mobility landscape is constantly evolving, and that’s what excites me the most! Each day brings new learning opportunities, and we must adapt as innovative ways of working emerge. While it can be challenging and overwhelming at times, the chance to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives and develop policies and frameworks that support both organizations and their employees is what drives me and keeps me motivated.
Q: Why is having a community focused industry group like TEMi important?
Karla:I’ve never encountered anything like what we have in TEMi anywhere else. Collaborating as a community, sharing experiences, learning from one another, and celebrating each other’s successes is truly amazing.
Q: What excites you most about the future of the profession and its impact?
Karla: I believe organisations need us now more than ever. Global Mobility, in all its forms, is a vital component of any HR strategy and is increasingly recognized by CEOs as such. We are integral to Talent and Employee Value Proposition (EVP) programs, and ensuring that Global Mobility is embedded in these policies is exactly where we’ve always wanted to be! While we still have a long way to go, it’s exciting how we can partner with clients these days.
Q: How does your organisation, Mercer, support its clients?
Karla: I believe Mercer is exceptionally well-positioned to help clients due to our deep expertise and comprehensive understanding of the Global Mobility landscape. With a strong global presence and a diverse team of professionals, we can offer tailored solutions that address the unique challenges our clients face. Our commitment to leveraging data and insights allows us to develop innovative strategies that not only meet organisational needs but also enhance the employee experience. Additionally, our collaborative approach fosters strong partnerships with clients, enabling us to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and provide ongoing support as they navigate the complexities of talent mobility. Our extensive range of solutions, which encompasses data, expertise, and technology set us apart in the industry.
