United States, January 2026 — Kati O’Brien has started a new chapter as Chief People Officer at BRUNT Workwear, bringing extensive leadership experience across talent management, organizational development, HR strategy, and labor & employment law to the fast-growing workwear brand.
In her new role, O’Brien will lead BRUNT’s people, culture, and workforce strategy as the company continues to scale its operations and strengthen its employer brand among trade professionals across the United States.
Prior to joining BRUNT Workwear, O’Brien served as SVP, Chief People Officer at Bulfinch, where she led people strategy during a critical growth phase. Before Bulfinch, she spent more than a decade at Staples, progressing through senior leadership roles including SVP, Talent Management, SVP, Talent Management, HRBPs and Talent Acquisition, and VP, HRBP, HR Strategy and Total Rewards, driving enterprise-wide talent, workforce planning, and HR transformation initiatives.
Earlier in her career, she held senior legal and HR leadership positions at Staples as Vice President, Associate General Counsel – Labor and Employment Law and Senior Company Counsel, bringing deep expertise in employee relations, labor compliance, and organizational governance.
O’Brien holds a Doctor of Law (JD) in Labor and Employment Law from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, and has completed the Advanced Human Resources Executive Program at the University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
BRUNT Workwear partners with trade workers to design boots and apparel that deliver exceptional performance, durability, and comfort—providing hardworking professionals with gear that stands up to the toughest conditions.
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