In this interview, Ryan Barnett, Senior Director, People Partner, shares insights from a decade-long career at Expedia Group. From progressing through roles in Talent Acquisition (TA) to transitioning into HR Business Partner (HRBP) leadership, Ryan reflects on key experiences, the value of mentorship, and the journey from London to Austin. Here’s a closer look at his inspiring career path and his advice for upcoming leaders at Expedia Group, and beyond.

Ryan Barnett, Senior Director, People Partner, Austin, TX, USA

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How long have you been with Expedia Group, and what initially drew you to a career in Talent Acquisition?

I’ve been with Expedia Group for just over ten years now. What initially attracted me—and what keeps me here—is the company’s mission and culture. As an avid traveler, I believe that travel can be a force for good. It fosters understanding, bridges divides, and creates memories that last a lifetime. Being part of a company that champions this mission is truly inspiring. From a career perspective, Expedia Group’s diversity and global presence offer unique opportunities to solve complex problems while working alongside incredibly smart people, who don’t take themselves too seriously.

Leading large teams in TA taught me a lot about leadership and people management, which I now apply as an HRBP. In Talent Acquisition, I developed a deep understanding of business needs and the role of talent in supporting those needs. This experience is invaluable now as I work closely with leaders to help them shape and support their teams. It’s given me a more holistic view of how talent connects to broader business goals, helping me better serve as a partner to other leaders.

What were some pivotal moments in your career journey at EG?

My journey at Expedia Group can be summarized in three key phases:

1. Early Years: I joined as a TA leader during a time when we had a decentralized business structure, progressing from Senior Manager to Director and eventually to Senior Director across multiple divisions. Each step involved greater responsibilities: leading larger teams, managing senior stakeholders up to CEO-level, and supporting an increasing number of business lines across our B2C, B2B, and supply marketplaces.
   
2. Enterprise Leadership: Transitioning into an enterprise Talent Acquisition leadership role in our newly centralized structure was a significant step. I was leading a team of about 120, navigating the complex challenges of the pandemic, full E2E business knowledge across all business lines, and functional areas. Large scale transformation of TA function, including people process and technology.
   
3. HRBP Transition: Moving from Talent Acquisition to an HR Business Partner role was another pivotal shift. This transition allowed me to apply my TA leadership experience to enable larger divisions to achieve meaningful business outcomes by focusing more broadly on a range of people initiatives, and strategic change. 

Which projects in particular contributed to your growth during this time?

I’ve led various impactful projects that were instrumental to my development:

• Systems Implementation: Introducing platforms like Workday and Beamery helped improve our recruitment processes and streamlined our data management.
  
• Growth: I led several high-volume hiring initiatives, across Western Europe and Asia Pacific. These were significant efforts that tested and expanded my project management and team leadership skills and allowed our Expedia brand to expand our local relevance of hotel supply. This also earned me the Recruitment Leader of the Year award at the FIRM Awards in 2019.
  
• Organizational Development: More recently I have led organizational design and development projects that included the bringing together of our Product & Technology division and our Traveler & Partner Service Platform division. The Service Platform division have also been responsible for building out the premium traveler team to support the launch of the One Key loyalty program.

What prompted your relocation from London to Austin, and how did this move impact your career?

The move was motivated by both professional and personal reasons. Professionally, I currently partner with our Service Platform division as well as the Strategy and Product Marketing team in our Product and Technology organization. While these teams are global, many of the leaders I work with are in U.S. time zones, so being closer to them has been very helpful.

On a personal level, my wife and I had always wanted to experience living and working in another country, and Austin was an ideal choice with its live music, sunny weather, and friendly community. The transition was relatively seamless, thanks to Expedia Group’s support throughout the relocation process. I was able to focus on delivering what’s expected without too much distraction, and I’m still working with many of the same colleagues I collaborated with in London.

How has Expedia Group provided support for your career growth?

Expedia Group offers structured leadership development programs tailored to different career stages. I had the opportunity to participate in the Directors program and am currently engaged in a six-month coaching program with an external coach, supported by EG. The Directors program is over six months and it’s a nomination-only experience that focuses on critical skills, including fostering inclusion, connecting diverse perspectives to business strategy, and presenting with power and precision. We received guidance from leadership experts, as well as mentoring from executive leadership, who offered insights and support as we apply what we learn to ongoing projects. We work on real business challenges while expanding our leadership capabilities.

Early in my career at Expedia Group, I was fortunate to sit on a business leadership team—a unique opportunity for someone in Talent Acquisition. The leader I partnered with at the time gave me invaluable advice: “You’re a business leader first, and a TA/People leader second, and you don’t be afraid to have an opinion on topics beyond your functional area.”  This advice has been foundational to my approach. It encouraged me to remain curious, understand the business holistically, and contribute beyond my field of expertise. It’s something I continue to carry forward and share with others, as I believe that broadening your perspective is key to becoming a stronger, more effective leader.

What advice do you have for people considering a career at Expedia Group?

Expedia Group is a unique place where you can make an impact on a global scale, surrounded by people who share a genuine passion for travel technology and a commitment to fostering a positive work culture. My advice would be to stay open to new opportunities and continually seek to understand how your role can support the broader mission of the company. At Expedia Group, we’re encouraged to grow both personally and professionally, and there’s no shortage of support and resources to help you along the way.

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