Kyla Pavlina returns to CrossFit as CPO

Kyla Pavlina has returned to CrossFit as chief people officer, rejoining the company’s leadership team after more than six years away. The move was reported by The Barbell Spin on May 20, citing Pavlina’s LinkedIn announcement. Pavlina previously served as CrossFit’s head of human resources from 2013 through 2019. The appointment comes weeks after CrossFit named former chief operating officer Bruce Edwards as chief executive. ### When did Pavlina leave, and what is she coming back from? Pavlina worked at CrossFit from 2013 to 2019 as head of human resources, according to The Barbell Spin. After leaving the company, she moved through a series of people and leadership roles in medical technology and healthcare. In August 2021, Hyperfine appointed Pavlina as chief people officer, saying she brought more than 15 years of human resources experience in medtech and healthcare. Hyperfine said she had previously served as chief people officer at Mesa Biotech, vice president of human resources at SeaSpine, and head of human resources at CrossFit. ### What did Pavlina say about the return? Pavlina said in her LinkedIn post, as quoted by The Barbell Spin, that she was returning to CrossFit “with a very full heart.” She said the last “6+ years” gave her the chance to help organizations bring “life-saving tests, tools, and medicine to society.” (hyperfinemri.com) The same post framed the move around people and culture. Pavlina wrote that her time away “deepened” her understanding of “health, humanity, and what becomes possible when talented people align around meaningful work,” and added that “a company’s greatest asset is its people,” according to The Barbell Spin. (thebarbellspin.com) ### What does the chief people officer job cover at CrossFit? The Barbell Spin described the role as a headquarters-level leadership post focused on people strategy and culture. That includes human resources operations and recruiting, based on the report and Pavlina’s stated emphasis on talent and organizational alignment. (thebarbellspin.com) CrossFit has not, in the material reviewed, published a separate corporate release laying out a formal job description for Pavlina’s new position. The reporting available on May 21 centered on her return announcement rather than a broader restructuring document. ### How does this fit into Bruce Edwards’ return? (thebarbellspin.com) CrossFit announced on April 28 that Bruce Edwards would succeed Don Faul as chief executive, with his first official day set for May 4. Edwards previously served as CrossFit’s chief operating officer from 2013 to 2019, the same period in which Pavlina led human resources. (thebarbellspin.com) The Barbell Spin said Pavlina’s appointment is Edwards’ first major hire since he returned. That links two executives from CrossFit’s earlier leadership era back at the company within the same month. ### Was this tied to the 2026 CrossFit season? The May 20 report was an organizational update, not a competition result. (thebarbellspin.com) The source material reviewed did not include 2026 CrossFit Semifinals standings or event-by-event results as part of Pavlina’s appointment story. CrossFit’s current public-facing coverage remains split between corporate and sport operations, with Games pages separately tracking competition leaderboards and season information. (thebarbellspin.com) Pavlina’s return was reported as a leadership and personnel change at headquarters. ### What comes next inside CrossFit? May 2026 has already brought two leadership changes at CrossFit: Edwards took over as CEO on May 4, and Pavlina’s return was announced on May 20. (thebarbellspin.com) The next public markers are likely to be any formal CrossFit statement on her remit or additional executive appointments under Edwards’ leadership. (thebarbellspin.com) (games.crossfit.com)