People Planning
Align headcount, leadership priorities, business goals, and HR initiatives using structured planning frameworks built for high-growth organizations that need clarity without overbuilding their people function too soon.
Build a people function that keeps pace with growth. People Leader Accelerator helps startup founders, CEOs, and HR leaders design practical systems for hiring, onboarding, compensation, culture, analytics, and leadership decisions—using proven frameworks from seasoned practitioners who have scaled teams in start-ups, high-growth tech, private equity, and complex organizations without overbuilding too early.
Practical consulting, advisory, search, and frameworks for startup people leaders building scalable HR systems.
Align headcount, leadership priorities, business goals, and HR initiatives using structured planning frameworks built for high-growth organizations that need clarity without overbuilding their people function too soon.
Evaluate leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, and organizational health through custom 360 surveys, stakeholder discussions, and proven methodologies, ending with clear action planning for improvement.
Support HR leaders stepping into broader scope, higher visibility, or first-time top-of-function roles with tailored guidance on judgment, presence, decision quality, and executive influence.
Recruit senior HR leaders, including Chief People Officers, VP People Operations, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, and Total Rewards leaders, with direct Principal involvement throughout the search.
Design scalable onboarding programs that help new hires integrate faster, understand expectations, connect with the business, and contribute effectively as the organization grows.
Build fair, market-aware compensation structures through benchmarking, leveling, internal equity practices, and practical planning tools that support retention and business alignment.
We begin by understanding your business model, growth stage, leadership priorities, and current people risks. This creates a clear picture of what HR systems matter now, what can wait, and where better decisions will create measurable business impact.
See how practical HR strategy helps growing organizations reduce risk, clarify priorities, and scale stronger teams.
"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 combines expert guidance, practical tools, and real-world operating experience.
Faculty bring 25–30+ years of real HR leadership, startup, tech, and private equity experience.
Guides, templates, assessments, and sessions translate strategy into tools leaders can use immediately.
Support is tailored for high-growth organizations where speed, clarity, and thoughtful prioritization matter.
An active alumni network gives HR leaders peer learning, mentorship, and ongoing professional connection.
Experienced faculty for practical startup HR leadership.
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.
Startup HR consulting services typically include people strategy, workforce planning, organizational design, compensation structure, onboarding, performance management, culture work, people analytics, executive search, and HR leader mentoring. People Leader Accelerator focuses on practical systems for high-growth organizations, helping leaders make better people decisions while keeping processes appropriately scaled for the company’s stage.
Connect with experienced HR faculty for practical guidance.
Executive compensation expertise for strategic pay decisions.
Senior HR certification supporting practical people leadership.
Recognized academic excellence in management education.
Share your organization’s stage, people challenges, and goals. The People Leader Accelerator team will help identify the right consulting, advisory, guide, or facilitated support for your needs.
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.