Take Five with Karla Kirkling: Executive Director of Healthcare and Benefits

Today, we begin a new series highlighting extraordinary CPS staff, students, and community members who are going above and beyond for our schools. We begin with Karla Kirkling — the Executive Director of Healthcare and Benefits for CPS and the recent recipient of a prestigious national award. 

A veteran member of the District’s Talent Office, Karla works to promote holistic health and wellness across CPS while increasing access, equity, and education that improves the quality of life for all employees. Karla recently received an Excellence and Innovation Award from Pensions & Investments and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA) for her contributions to the redesign of the District’s tax-deferred supplemental retirement plans. She will travel to California later this fall to receive this award in person. 

How long have you been with CPS?

I joined the District in December of 2002, so nearly 20 years. But my relationship with CPS goes back to my childhood. I grew up in Chicago and attended Pershing Magnet School in my younger years before my family moved to the suburbs. 

What do you enjoy about working on the CPS Talent Team?

I’m a people person, and I enjoy focusing on health and wellness, so the role suits me well. Plus I think that a strong HR department that supports its staff and provides them with effective resources is key to an organization’s success.

How did you feel when you learned you were receiving this prestigious award?

I was ecstatic! But this isn’t just about me. It was nice to be acknowledged, but this award is really for all of CPS. I will say that a lot of hard work went into making this change to our supplemental retirement platform, and it’s nice to have that work acknowledged. It’s also very gratifying to have leaders in this industry point to our new platform as a model to be followed by other school districts.

How will the change you’ve created benefit CPS employees?

Before this change, CPS operated our supplemental retirement plans using several vendors, which was confusing for employees. By shifting to a single vendor system, we have made things more user-friendly and we have better governance over these accounts. Participating staff now pay lower rates and fees, and we are in a better position to help them plan for financial readiness and achieve their retirement goals.

What do you do when you’re not hard at work at CPS?

I love spending time with my 23-year-old daughter, who is on a path to attend medical school. I also enjoy yoga, meditation, and other spiritual modalities that keep me centered and balanced. And I really like the volunteer work I do mentoring teens as part of the Common Ground Foundation.