For Barbara Matthews, the future of work isn’t about where employees sit—it’s about how they thrive. At the helm as Chief People Officer at Remote, she is dedicated to creating environments where employees succeed, no matter their location. With the rise of flexible work models, she focuses on results over rigid office hours, championing a shift towards asynchronous work and outcome-based performance measurement. Under her leadership, Remote is redefining how businesses support their employees, ensuring that flexibility, mental well-being, and inclusivity remain at the core of workplace culture.
Originally from Ireland, Barbara earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from University College Dublin, specializing in sociology and social policy. Her career spans over two decades in HR, shaping people strategies at some of the world’s most influential tech companies. Prior to joining Remote, she built Stripe’s global HR function as the International Head of HR for EMEA and APAC. Before that, she spent 12 years at Google, helping scale high-performing distributed teams. Now at Remote, she leads initiatives that make global hiring seamless, ensuring businesses can access top talent while fostering an inclusive work culture.
Barbara’s work is guided by a fundamental belief: life comes before work, not the other way around. At Remote, she has implemented policies that challenge outdated workplace norms, advocating for flexible work models that empower employees rather than restrict them. She understands that businesses succeed when their people feel valued, and her focus on holistic employee well-being is setting a new standard for the future of work. Through innovative strategies, she is proving that companies don’t have to choose between productivity and balance—they can achieve both.