When Kayla Pavell stepped into NuWave Technologies, Inc. as Director of Finance and Human Resources, she brought with her a rare blend of precision and creativity—but it was the culture at NuWave that gave her the space to thrive. In an industry often dominated by metrics and margins, NuWave offered something different: a human-first approach to leadership, flexibility for growth, and a deep trust in its people. It was the perfect environment for someone like Kayla—grounded in numbers but passionate about people.
From Structure to Strategy: A Foundation Built on Trust
Kayla’s natural affinity for structure didn’t happen by chance—it was practically woven into her DNA. Growing up in a family where accounting was spoken as a second language, numbers were more than just school subjects—they were part of everyday life. Budgets, spreadsheets, and balance sheets weren’t intimidating; they were familiar. “Math has always been my safe space,” she says. “There’s no gray area—everything has to balance. There’s comfort in that kind of clarity.”
That mindset became the bedrock of her career in finance—but it didn’t stop there. Today, Kayla plays a key role in both financial operations and human resources at NuWave, where she bridges the worlds of data and people with intention and care. Whether she’s refining compensation strategies, building scalable systems, or leading through organizational change, her goal is always the same: create structure that empowers people, not limits them.
“I love creating systems that work,” she says. “But I also love making sure those systems serve the humans behind them. Numbers are important—but so is how people feel when they’re part of the process.”
That strength in both strategy and sensitivity is rooted in more than just her technical background. As a lifelong dancer, Kayla learned the value of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and teamwork from an early age. “Dance taught me how to move through change, how to tune in to others, and how to lead with empathy,” she says. “And that translates directly into how I show up in HR.”
From leading with transparency during difficult conversations to advocating for flexible, people-first policies, Kayla blends logic with heart in everything she does. Her leadership style isn’t just about operational excellence—it’s about building cultures where people feel seen, supported, and set up to succeed.
That’s exactly what NuWave recognized in her from the start.
“When I joined NuWave, I immediately felt like I could make a difference,” she says. “It wasn’t about checking boxes; it was about innovating, growing, and being trusted to build something better.”
Now, whether she’s optimizing systems or coaching future leaders, Kayla brings her full self to the table—balancing analytics with authenticity and proving that the most impactful work happens at the intersection of precision and purpose.
Returning Stronger—And Finding the Right Home
Kayla’s path back into the workforce wasn’t linear. After stepping away from her career to raise her children, she launched a bookkeeping business and later took on contract roles to re-enter the professional world. But it wasn’t until she joined NuWave that everything aligned. She credits her rapid growth after reentering the workforce to the unique perspective she gained during her time as a stay-at-home mom. That period of stepping away from the traditional work environment gave her invaluable insights into time management, multitasking, and prioritizing what truly matters. It also sparked a renewed sense of purpose and ambition. “Being at home gave me the space to reflect on my career and my skills,” she explains. “When I returned to the workforce, I came back with a fresh drive—not just to do the work, but to make a deeper impact, to leverage my experience in a way that felt both fulfilling and purposeful.”
This new drive, combined with the knowledge she had built over years in the field, enabled her to quickly adapt and excel. Rather than seeing her time away from the workforce as a gap, she viewed it as a period of growth—one that allowed her to return with a clearer vision and a stronger commitment to shaping her career with intention.
“NuWave was the first place where I felt I could bring all of myself—the numbers person, the creative thinker, the mom, the leader. They didn’t see a career break as a setback. They saw it as part of my story.”
At NuWave, she found more than a job—she found a company willing to invest in her growth, value her perspective, and provide the flexibility she needed to balance her personal and professional lives.
Driving Change, One System at a Time
Soon after arriving at NuWave, Kayla began making waves—literally. She led the transformation of NuWave’s HR infrastructure, introducing a new employee engagement platform that did more than just streamline tasks. It brought people together.
“We wanted something that helped people feel seen and celebrated, even from a distance,” Kayla explains. “NuWave trusted me to do it, and that made all the difference.”
The platform lets employees recognize one another with “Waves”—points that can be redeemed for gift cards—and automates birthday, anniversary, and holiday messages. It was a small shift with a big impact, reinforcing NuWave’s core value of people-first connection, even in a remote-first environment.
She also modernized the company’s outdated payroll and onboarding systems, introducing an all-in-one platform that simplified internal processes and improved performance visibility. Her ability to lead complex operational change stemmed not just from experience—but from the freedom NuWave gave her to think big.
At NuWave, wellness isn’t a perk—it’s part of how we work. We’ve built a flexible, remote-friendly wellness program that supports our team’s physical and mental health, no matter where they are. Our quarterly Wellness Challenges bring a fun, community vibe to staying active and connected—even from afar. Because when people feel their best, they do their best. And at NuWave, we’re here to support the whole person—every step of the way.
Flexibility in Action: Work-Life Integration at NuWave
Kayla is quick to point out that none of her success would be possible without the flexibility and trust she’s found at NuWave.
As a mom of four with a husband who also works from home, balance isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And at NuWave, she’s found a culture that doesn’t just acknowledge that reality but actively supports it. “At NuWave, it’s not about hours worked—it’s about impact made,” she says. “I can pick my kids up from school, help with homework, and still lead high-level strategic initiatives. That kind of trust is rare—and it’s empowering.”
This autonomy has given her room to thrive both professionally and personally, and she’s deeply committed to passing that same support forward. For Kayla, it’s not enough to experience flexibility herself—she works intentionally to create it for others, too. Whether it’s a team member managing a personal challenge, or someone simply trying to find their rhythm, Kayla makes it a priority to ensure they feel seen, supported, and trusted.
“Life doesn’t pause for work—and it shouldn’t have to,” she says. “We can design spaces where people don’t have to choose between success at home and success at work.”
It’s this people-first mindset—rooted in empathy, flexibility, and real trust—that’s helped shape the culture at NuWave, and Kayla is proud to be part of it.
Culture by Design: Building Belonging in a Remote World
In today’s increasingly digital workplace, intentional culture-building isn’t just important—it’s essential. And at NuWave, it’s something Kayla Pavell helps lead with heart, vision, and a deep understanding of what makes people feel truly connected.
And perhaps the most telling sign that NuWave’s culture is working? When the team finally meets in person—at retreats or offsites—it never feels like a reunion of strangers. There’s no awkward small talk or getting-to-know-you phase. Instead, it feels like picking up where you left off with old friends. The relationships formed in daily standups, virtual coffee chats, and candid teams threads have real depth. That sense of ease and familiarity isn’t accidental—it’s a direct result of the intentional culture Kayla and the team have nurtured. When you invest in human connection every day, the bonds transcend the screen. “You realize quickly that we do know each other,” Kayla says. “We’ve been showing up for each other all along.
“We’re remote-first, but we’re never disconnected,” Kayla says. “There’s a genuine sense of presence here, even through a screen. We’ve built a culture where every voice matters—and that’s no accident. It takes consistency, creativity, and care.”
For Kayla, these efforts aren’t just feel-good extras—they’re a central part of her HR strategy. Culture, she believes, is the foundation of every great team, and in a remote-first world, it needs to be nurtured with even more intention. The goal isn’t to mimic in-office life, but to design a new kind of workplace—one that reflects the reality of modern work and the values of a modern workforce.
“You don’t need to be in the office every day to feel part of something meaningful,” she explains. “At NuWave, culture is deliberate, and it’s evolving with us. We’re listening, we’re adjusting, and we’re building something that works for real people in real life.”
That deliberate evolution shows up in everything from onboarding to performance reviews to how wins are celebrated across time zones. Inclusion isn’t a buzzword—it’s baked into the way people collaborate, communicate, and care for one another. And it’s a big reason why NuWave has not only retained top talent but helped it thrive.
For Kayla, it all circles back to one core belief: people-first leadership isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. And when you prioritize belonging, engagement, and trust, everything else—productivity, innovation, growth—naturally follows.
A Leader Who Grows by Learning
Though her title includes “Director,” Kayla sees herself as a perpetual student—especially at a tech company like NuWave. To better support the team and align HR strategy with business goals, she immersed herself in understanding the company’s flagship products—LightWave Client™ and LightWave Server™—software solutions that transform how HPE NonStop systems integrate with modern REST-based environments. A key component to this was Kayla implemented a “Shadowing Program” where each employee spends one hour per quarter learning about a colleague’s role. This initiative helps build cross-departmental understanding and strengthens collaboration across the company.
To lead by example, Kayla offered to be one of the first to participate in this shadowing program shadowing engineers and collaborating with sales reps, she turned curiosity into competence. “At NuWave, learning is encouraged, not micromanaged,” she says. “That gave me the confidence to step into conversations that were once outside my comfort zone.”
Vision for the Future: Empowering Through Innovation
Kayla is not only contributing to NuWave’s present—she’s helping shape its future. Her approach to HR and finance is rooted in three forward-looking principles:
- Remote Empowerment: Building systems of trust and accountability.
- Recognition & Reward: Fostering a culture where contributions are valued beyond paychecks.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Using analytics to guide performance and engagement strategies.
Her leadership style mirrors NuWave’s ethos: agile, thoughtful, and constantly evolving.
Legacy in the Making: Where Leadership Meets Humanity
For Kayla, leadership is about creating space for others to grow—something NuWave has done for her, and something she now pays forward.
She leads with empathy, encourages experimentation, and embraces failure as a stepping stone. “At NuWave, I’ve been trusted to lead in a way that’s real to me,” she says. “I want to do the same for my team—build an environment where they can try, learn, and thrive.”
Her advice to the next generation? “Don’t wait for perfection. Growth happens in the discomfort. And if you’re lucky enough to find a company like NuWave, lean in. It might just be the place that helps you become the leader you were meant to be.”
Advice to Future Leaders in Finance and HR
For Kayla, the key to a lasting impact in finance and HR is simple but powerful: make yourself irreplaceable. In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workplace, she encourages aspiring leaders to focus on consistently showing their value.
“Being a vital asset to your organization isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter,” Kayla says. She urges professionals to see AI not as a threat, but as a tool—a way to sharpen their insights, boost efficiency, and elevate their strategic edge. Those who embrace this mindset, she believes, are the ones who stay ahead of the curve.
Kayla also champions the importance of staying agile. Growth and adaptability aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. In industries that are constantly evolving, the professionals who remain influential are the ones who keep learning, keep evolving, and keep showing up with purpose.
Still, even the most driven career paths can shift. Kayla believes there’s strength in knowing when it’s time to step back. “Take a moment to reflect on your priorities,” she says. “If something no longer brings you joy or fulfillment, have the courage to move on.”
That’s a truth I’ve lived myself. I found the fulfillment I was searching for in my role at NuWave—not because I settled, but because I chose not to. I kept striving, kept growing, and refused to accept “good enough” when I knew I was capable of more. That mindset is what brought me to where I am today. And the best part? Anyone can do it too.
