Interviewing Jean Berry, VP of HR for Allrecipes.com

November 9, 2008

We selected Jean Berry because not only is she one of our favorite HR people but over the years, she has impressed us as a renaissance woman who can tackle anything.  Jean has spent more than 20 years in Human Resources in both high tech and biotech industries.  She is well-rounded is all areas of HR including organizational development, employee relations and as a trusted adviser to senior leadership.  We have seen Jean on both sides of mergers and acquisitions during which she always maintains her sense of humor and intelligence.  Jean has a BA from University of Washington and an MS from University of Indiana.  A lesser known fact about Jean is that she is a trained Chef.  I will never forget Jean commanding the kitchen during her Chef school graduation meal – next stop Top Chef?  Jean has now combined her experience and interests as the VP of HR at Allrecipes.com.  We forgot to ask her if she sneaks into the test kitchen after hours!

Why did you go in to human resources?
I got into HR because I very nearly flunked geometry (no spatial concepts), and decided I probably wouldn’t make it as an astronomer. Born and raised in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area and still miss the tomatoes, shore and hoagies. Currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Friends of the Seattle Public Library.

What do you appreciate about being over 40?
Having more perspective on what’s important, and let go of the other stuff.

What or who inspired you to get where you are today?
Hmmm, I never actually planned to be in HR, but reading John Muir got me to the West coast.

What advice do you have for the under 40 crowd?
Life can be surprisingly shorter than you had planned, so you need to be happy today.

What do you still like to achieve?
More time for art and gardening.

How did you earn your first dollar?
Picking blueberries in south Jersey.

What are you passionate about?
Literacy and helping people get to where they want in life.

How do you balance work and life?
I don’t usually. Does anyone have enough time for everything?

What book is on your nightstand?
Team of Rivals – and an Elizabeth George murder mystery.

What is in your ipod?
Ben Harper, Keb Mo, Aretha Franklin, Cold Play, Cesaria Evoro, and Abba  & Rigoletto (for housecleaning – gets it done a lot faster).

What other career would you like to try?
Hmm – microfinancing, becoming a print artist, or watering plants at Swanson’s Nursery.

What other person would you like to meet – living or dead?
Katherine Hepburn

What superpower do you want?
I would like to be able to beam home from the airport.

Guilty pleasure?
Donuts

Favorite movie?
Old – Harold and Maude
New – Wall-E

What is your favorite quote?
“That work is not an expression of the desire for praise or recognition, or prizes, but the deepest manifestation of your gratitude for the gift of life.” Stanley Kunitz

Posted in 40 Over 40
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