HR Mentoring
Selective 1:1 mentoring for HR leaders taking on broader scope, higher visibility, or top-of-function responsibilities, with emphasis on judgment, presence, and high-quality decision-making.
HR Buddy Services from People Leader Accelerator give HR and people leaders access to experienced guidance, practical frameworks, and a peer-supported development ecosystem. Whether you are stepping into broader scope, making high-stakes talent decisions, or strengthening people operations, PLA connects you with seasoned faculty, mentoring, assessments, and resources built for real organizational impact.
Mentoring, peer learning, assessments, and advisory services for HR leaders navigating real business decisions.
Selective 1:1 mentoring for HR leaders taking on broader scope, higher visibility, or top-of-function responsibilities, with emphasis on judgment, presence, and high-quality decision-making.
Annual membership offering curated small-group access to HR leaders in similar organizations, with facilitated monthly discussions focused on development, community, and peer learning.
Customized 360 and leadership team assessment using Lominger/Korn Ferry competencies and Table Group methodology, concluding with practical improvement actions and facilitated debriefs.
Advisory support for complex leadership choices, including keep, coach, move, or exit decisions, board-level readiness questions, and execution risk assessments.
A selective 24-month leadership development engagement that supports leadership teams through continuous growth, structured activities, and practical application over time.
Senior-level HR recruitment support for Director, VP, and Chief People Officer roles, with direct Principal involvement and complimentary mentoring for placed candidates.
People Leader Accelerator helps HR leaders move from isolated problem-solving to informed, strategic action. Through mentoring, peer groups, decision support, assessments, and practical guides, PLA gives you access to experienced people leaders who understand growth-stage pressure, executive expectations, and the need for tools that can be used immediately inside the business.
See how HR leaders use PLA guidance, frameworks, and community to elevate strategic impact.
"I left the PLA program with several key takeaways. First, the value of making time for your own thoughts. This program was great for structured reflection. Second, don't over-engineer things, especially in growth companies. And finally, my biggest 'takeaway' from the PLA was really the new relationships. I've already found..."
"PLA offers a truly unique learning experience through its emphasis on reflection and practical application. Each week dives into a new People topic, with assignments designed to encourage deep reflection on how you've applied key concepts and how you'll implement them going forward. The assignments are incredibly practical and I..."
"Every week I look forward to the PLA meetings and even get excited about the homework because I know the readings will provide valuable information to reflect on. What I have learned in PLA has helped build my confidence. It is not just the knowledge I've gained, but the connections..."
"I left the PLA program with several key takeaways. First, the value of making time for your own thoughts. This program was great for structured reflection. Second, don't over-engineer things, especially in growth companies. And finally, my biggest 'takeaway' from the PLA was really the new relationships. I've already found..."
"PLA offers a truly unique learning experience through its emphasis on reflection and practical application. Each week dives into a new People topic, with assignments designed to encourage deep reflection on how you've applied key concepts and how you'll implement them going forward. The assignments are incredibly practical and I..."
"Every week I look forward to the PLA meetings and even get excited about the homework because I know the readings will provide valuable information to reflect on. What I have learned in PLA has helped build my confidence. It is not just the knowledge I've gained, but the connections..."
"I left the PLA program with several key takeaways. First, the value of making time for your own thoughts. This program was great for structured reflection. Second, don't over-engineer things, especially in growth companies. And finally, my biggest 'takeaway' from the PLA was really the new relationships. I've already found..."
"PLA offers a truly unique learning experience through its emphasis on reflection and practical application. Each week dives into a new People topic, with assignments designed to encourage deep reflection on how you've applied key concepts and how you'll implement them going forward. The assignments are incredibly practical and I..."
"Every week I look forward to the PLA meetings and even get excited about the homework because I know the readings will provide valuable information to reflect on. What I have learned in PLA has helped build my confidence. It is not just the knowledge I've gained, but the connections..."
People Leader Accelerator blends expert guidance, usable tools, and a strong leadership community.
Learn from HR leaders with 25–30+ years of real practitioner experience.
Use downloadable guides, frameworks, and templates designed for immediate business application.
Access facilitated peer groups and alumni connections across diverse U.S. organizations.
Get help with decisions where leadership context, timing, and consequences matter.
Experienced faculty supporting strategic HR leadership growth.
Core Faculty – HR & Talent Leadership
Andrew Bartlow is a Core Faculty member at People Leader Accelerator, specializing in HR and Talent Leadership with 25 years of deep practitioner experience. He is co-author of 'Scaling for Success: People Priorities for High Growth Organizations' and holds prestigious certifications including CECP, SPHR, Six Sigma, and Executive Coaching. Andrew brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application to his teaching, having served as a private equity operating partner, venture advisor, and HR mentor. His curriculum equips HR and people leaders with strategic frameworks to drive organizational success in high-growth environments. Andrew is dedicated to bridging the gap between operational HR and strategic business partnership for professionals across the United States.
Core Faculty – People Operations & Executive Coaching
Marie Szuts serves as Core Faculty at People Leader Accelerator, focusing on People Operations and Executive Coaching. She brings firsthand experience leading the people function at high-growth tech organizations, including Figma, where she developed scalable HR strategies during periods of rapid expansion. Marie holds a BA and MA from Yale University and is a certified Executive Coach through the prestigious Hudson Institute. She also advises people leader networks, venture capital firms, and companies navigating growth challenges. Her practical, experience-driven approach helps HR professionals elevate their strategic impact and build resilient people operations within dynamic organizations across the United States.
Core Faculty – Management & Human Resources Academic
Brad Harris, Ph.D. is a Core Faculty member at People Leader Accelerator, bringing academic excellence and real-world management expertise to HR and people leaders. He serves as Associate Dean of MBA Programs and Professor of Management and Human Resources at HEC Paris, and is an affiliated professor at the University of Illinois. Brad is co-author of 'Scaling for Success' and '3D Team Leadership,' with research published in leading academic journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from Texas A&M University and an Executive Coaching Diploma from Emory University. Recognized as a top '40 Under 40 Business School Professor' by Poets and Quants, Brad is committed to equipping leaders with evidence-based frameworks for organizational success.
Core Faculty – HR Leadership & Executive Coaching
Carmela Krantz is a Core Faculty member at People Leader Accelerator, specializing in HR Leadership and Executive Coaching with an impressive 30 years of experience building and leading HR functions in rapidly growing businesses. A trailblazer in her field, Carmela has served as the first VP of HR at nine companies, including six start-ups, giving her unparalleled insight into the unique challenges of scaling people operations from the ground up. She is a certified executive coach and the founder of WOVEN. Carmela's practical wisdom and passion for developing HR leaders make her an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to accelerate their strategic impact within high-growth and entrepreneurial organizations across the United States.
An HR buddy is a trusted advisor, mentor, or peer support partner who helps HR professionals think through complex people issues, leadership decisions, and strategic priorities. Through People Leader Accelerator, that support may include 1:1 mentoring, facilitated peer discussion, decision support, practical frameworks, and access to experienced faculty who have led HR in high-growth organizations.
Connect with experienced HR advisors for practical next steps.
Executive compensation expertise for strategic HR guidance.
Senior HR certification supporting people leadership expertise.
Recognized academic leadership and management excellence.
Share your leadership goals, organizational context, or current HR challenge, and the People Leader Accelerator team will help identify the right advisory, mentoring, or resource pathway.
To help us assist you faster, please include the reason for your message so the relevant team can reach out as soon as possible.
To help us assist you faster, please include the reason for your message so the relevant team can reach out as soon as possible.