Leading with Strategy, Heart & Purpose
Who we are
We see an opportunity to do HR differently. After years of working across diverse organizations, we have noticed recurring patterns in leadership challenges and HR processes that were serving neither employees nor businesses well. Our unique perspectives as individuals who have navigated complex workplace dynamics from multiple angles—as an employee, leader, and consultant—drives our mission to be both a strategic partner for employers and an advocate for thriving workplace systems and culture.
We're values-informed, data-driven, and deeply human. Our approach is contextualized to your specific needs, with a depth of understanding of your values and culture and of different personality types, capabilities, and leadership styles. This informs how we build authentic, trusting relationships with our partners and how we create and implement tailored solutions.
We're kind and direct. No beating around the bush. We tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, because that's how real change happens.
We're systems-minded. We're always thinking about the most efficient and easiest way to do things, freeing up time for the complex issues that need a slower pace and deeper attention.
Our mission has never been more clear.
We envision and implement more efficient HR systems that drive business outcomes without sacrificing the well-being of the people behind that drive. We challenge leaders to become better versions of themselves—for their business and for the people they lead. After all, the growth and sustainability of any business can never outpace the quality of the team and systems behind it.
Whether you're dealing with employee relations issues, need conflict management support, require risk mitigation strategies, or want to build scalable HR systems, we bring a unique perspective informed by real-world experiences and a commitment to fairness and efficiency.
About the founder
Agatha Agbanobi (pronounced Ag-ba-no-be)
People often comment on my calm presence when they meet me for the first time. Over the years, I’ve learned to listen and observe more than I talk — especially in the midst of conflict. I tend to move with both clear focus and urgency, taking note of every single detail.
During the past 15+ years, I have been fortunate to have worked on projects that have had significant impact and implications for large populations of people, from high-level statewide and international projects to advising on complex employee relations issues and designing broad-reaching training programs for fortune 50 companies. I have also been fortunate to work with small startup companies and nonprofit organizations who simply needed someone to come in and build an HR system or employee culture program that works.
After years of working with government and education organizations as well as retail, healthcare and tech companies, I've developed a deep understanding of what makes teams thrive and what creates roadblocks. My experience which spans from front-line program management roles to strategic leadership and consulting positions gives me insight into workplace dynamics, policies, and practices from multiple angles.
These experiences have taught me to stay centered under pressure and to never miss critical details. I tend to thrive in dynamic situations where others might freeze, panic or give up.
Some of my proudest achievements include but are not limited to:
Supervised 20+ enterprise-level projects involving HR data management, multi-state and international compliance, and policy implementation across multi-state and multiple global regions (USA, U.K., Canada).
Advised leaders on unique issues related to employee relations strategies, engagement, and organizational effectiveness—resulting in a significant improvement in manager satisfaction scores at a Texas-based nonprofit organization, two healthcare startup companies and several higher education institutions.
Led the design and facilitation of a global and U.S-focused training program on inclusive and equitable hiring and promotion practices and team decision-making for four business units at a Fortune 50 tech company.
Designed and implemented a first-of-its-kind organizational health audit to assess climate, culture, and organizational priorities for a small, mission-driven organization.
My commitment is to promote diverse teams that work well together, (especially during rapid change), to ensure everyone is treated fairly, to develop People systems that go above and beyond compliance and to accelerate or stabilize business growth.
Outside of work, I write articles about employee relations, AI Ethics, and inclusion and belonging. I’m also a fiction writer and poet. I enjoy participating in volunteer opportunities through my local church (in Austin, Texas) and other nonprofit organizations that focus on early literacy and economic mobility opportunities for underserved populations.
In my spare time, you can find me hiking or trail running, cooking for and eating with people I love, reading, or binge watching a TV show with a really good script.
According to Gallup StrengthsFinder, here are my top 6 strengths and what you can expect me to bring to every engagement.
Strategic: I see patterns where others see complexity, playing out scenarios and finding the best path forward.
Relator: I build deep, genuine relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.
Ideation: I'm fascinated by connections and new perspectives on familiar challenges.
Individualization: I see the unique qualities in each person and build teams based on individual and collective strengths.
Arranger: I excel at managing complex situations and aligning variables for maximum productivity.
Restorative: I am adept at dealing with problems, figuring out what is wrong and resolving them.