Compensation Partner Manager (Psychology, BA and MEd)

Olivia Saccucci, Shopify

By: Prabhnoor Bath, Outreach & Support Peer 

Olivia Saccucci is a Compensation Partner Manager at Shopify, where she works at the intersection of data, strategy, and people. In her role, she advises leaders on compensation decisions, analyzes labour market trends, and helps design pay programs that ensure the company remains competitive while maintaining fair and equitable compensation practices.

Olivia graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, completing the Business Management option and a minor in Biology. During her undergraduate years, she also worked in several roles across Student Affairs, Student Success, and the Registrar’s Office. Through these positions, she gained early exposure to how institutions support individuals through complex systems and important transitions. The experience sparked an interest in understanding how organizations design policies, programs, and structures that shape people’s experiences.

Although Olivia initially began university in the business program, she soon realized that psychology aligned more closely with her interests. She became increasingly curious about how people think, make decisions, and interact within organizations and systems. Her studies allowed her to explore topics such as motivation and behaviour, which later informed her work in Human Resources.

After graduating, Olivia pursued a Human Resources Management postgraduate certificate at George Brown Polytechnic. The program provided practical training across several areas of HR and helped her build a strong foundation for entering the profession. She later obtained the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation and has since advanced to the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation. Olivia is also a mentor with the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), where she supports emerging HR professionals as they begin their careers.

Human Resources offers a wide range of career paths, and many professionals begin in generalist roles before eventually specializing in areas that align with their interests. Over time, Olivia found herself increasingly drawn to the compensation space. She was particularly interested in how compensation professionals combine analytical thinking with business strategy and human impact. Compensation teams analyze internal data and external labour market trends to ensure that organizations provide fair and competitive pay, while also advising leaders on complex pay decisions.

In her role at Shopify, Olivia partners with compensation analysts and business leaders to translate complex data into clear insights that guide compensation decisions across the organization. Her work may involve analyzing labour market data, advising on salary decisions related to hiring or promotions, and supporting compensation programs that align with the company’s values and long-term strategy. What she finds most rewarding about the field is identifying patterns in data and using storytelling to translate those insights into decisions that leaders can confidently act on.

Compensation is one of the most personal aspects of an employee’s experience at work, which makes the work both meaningful and complex. Balancing organizational priorities with employee expectations requires careful analysis, strong communication, and thoughtful stakeholder management. Success in this field requires the ability to transform complex data into clear insights while also considering broader market trends and organizational goals.

Several years into her career, Olivia returned to Wilfrid Laurier University to complete a Master of Education. She was motivated by a desire to deepen her understanding of how organizations design systems that support learning, development, and decision making. The program allowed her to further explore how thoughtful program design can improve organizational experiences.

Reflecting on her career journey, Olivia emphasizes that career paths are rarely linear. Her own path included exploring different academic interests, gaining experience across several areas of HR, and gradually discovering a specialization that aligned with her strengths.

For students interested in Human Resources, Olivia recommends getting involved early and exploring opportunities to learn more about the profession. On campus resources such as the Human Resources Laurier club, networking events hosted by the Career Centre, and mentorship programs can provide valuable exposure to the field.

Her biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and continue building relationships throughout your career.

“It is completely normal for career paths to evolve over time,” she says. “Many people discover what they enjoy through exploration and experience. Staying open to new opportunities and continuing to learn along the way can often lead to the most rewarding paths.”