Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Danielle Truesdale Hester

Danielle Truesdale Hester

Decatur,GA

Summary

Strategic and people-centered HR leader with 15+ years of experience leading People Operations, Talent Strategy, Compliance, and Culture in high-growth SaaS, tech, healthcare, agency, and QSR environments. Proven track record in scaling organizations globally, implementing data-informed HR systems, and aligning People strategy with business outcomes. Experienced in leading transformation, cultural integration, and high-impact leadership development across diverse workforces. Passionate about designing inclusive environments that foster individual growth and drive organizational success.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

People Director

Avalere Health
01.2025 - Current
  • Lead the People strategy for a 400+ employee division, aligning talent initiatives with business objectives in a regulated healthcare consultancy.
  • Oversee all HR operations—including performance, ER, DEI, compliance—partnering with COEs to scale programs while ensuring local impact.
  • Drive workforce planning and leadership development in partnership with L&D to strengthen succession pipelines and managerial effectiveness.
  • Guide the organization through ongoing transformation using transparent communication and cultural alignment strategies.
  • Launched a new performance and goal-setting framework, improving accountability and development outcomes.
  • Led a division-wide compensation review and calibration process, enhancing pay equity and manager confidence.

HR Consultant

Various Clients
04.2023 - Current
  • Provided fractional HR leadership and strategic support to small and early-stage businesses during periods of growth, transition, or restructuring.
  • Built HR infrastructures from the ground up—onboarding, performance, compliance, compensation—tailored to client needs.
  • Led change management, culture initiatives, and employee engagement strategies, resulting in improved retention and team alignment.
  • Supported founders and executive teams with talent strategy, coaching, and implementation of key HR systems (e.g., HRIS, ATS, payroll).

Director, Team Member Experience

gusto
01.2024 - 01.2025
  • Spearheaded a people-first HR strategy rooted in gusto!’s brand promise of intentionally fostering growth, embedding core values into every level of the employee experience across 15 locations.
  • Designed and launched HEARD Sessions, a company-wide performance management framework implemented from frontline shops to executive leadership.
  • Directed HR operations—including compliance, payroll, benefits, and talent development—for a $25M+ organization with 500+ employees.
  • Implemented ADP TotalSource, streamlining payroll and benefits while reducing risk and manual processes.
  • Managed payroll across 13 locations, overseeing expansion to 15 through successful onboarding of new sites.
  • Revamped recruiting operations, standardized hiring practices, and embedded company values into the hiring experience.
  • Addressed historical compliance gaps and built scalable HR policies to enable long-term operational growth.

Head of People (Parental Leave Coverage – Contract)

Iris Worldwide
10.2022 - 04.2023
  • Led People Operations for North America during a critical leadership transition, aligning regional strategy with global People initiatives.
  • Partnered with NA CEO and Global CPO to execute the “For the Forward” strategy focused on culture, equity, and employee experience.
  • Co-led global rollout of DEI strategy and inclusive policy frameworks (e.g., global period policy).
  • Directed Return-to-Office strategy and supported hybrid workforce reintegration.
  • Managed and developed a team of 4 HR professionals, improving HR delivery and cross-regional collaboration.
  • Aligned People strategies across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, EMEA, and APAC regions.

Director of Talent

Block + Tackle
10.2021 - 10.2022
  • Led talent acquisition in a competitive tech market, increasing high-quality hires by 15% through sourcing and interview optimization.
  • Partnered with leadership to support 30% headcount growth, designing org structure and workforce plans.
  • Developed a new performance management process, launched structured 1:1s, and delivered consistent feedback frameworks.
  • Introduced manager development programs to strengthen leadership capability and team alignment.
  • Rolled out employee engagement initiatives including pulse surveys and recognition systems, boosting satisfaction by 15%.

Global Director, People & Talent

PrimeRevenue
02.2014 - 10.2021
  • Served as top HR leader during early-stage growth; later evolved into global director role overseeing People Ops, HRBPs, performance, compliance, and ER.
  • Scaled from 30 to 600 employees and $10M to $50M+ revenue across LATAM, EMEA, APAC, and North America.
  • Built People infrastructure aligned to PRIDE+ values, integrating culture across all HR practices.
  • Expanded and institutionalized PRU (PrimeRevenue University) into a global, multi-day onboarding and cultural immersion program.
  • Directed global compliance efforts (SOC, FMLA), reducing issues by 20%.
  • Led the company through a 40% staff reduction while maintaining morale and continuity.
  • Implemented performance frameworks, coaching programs, and people analytics, resulting in a 15% increase in satisfaction scores.

Director of Human Resources

BLINQ Media (A Gannett Company)
01.2010 - 02.2014
  • Scaled ad tech team by 50% and built foundational HR programs to support growth.
  • Managed HR integration during acquisition by Gannett, retaining 85% of staff and aligning post-merger culture.
  • Led redesign of org structure, workforce planning, and performance systems.
  • Handled complex ER issues, built trust across teams, and launched job enrichment and cross-training initiatives.

Education

Accounting & Business Management

Strayer University
05.2020

Accounting & Business Management

Clayton College & State University

Skills

  • Strategic HR Leadership
  • Global workforce strategy
  • Candidate & Employee Experience
  • Talent Management
  • L&D
  • People Operations
  • Change management expertise

Timeline

People Director

Avalere Health
01.2025 - Current

Director, Team Member Experience

gusto
01.2024 - 01.2025

HR Consultant

Various Clients
04.2023 - Current

Head of People (Parental Leave Coverage – Contract)

Iris Worldwide
10.2022 - 04.2023

Director of Talent

Block + Tackle
10.2021 - 10.2022

Global Director, People & Talent

PrimeRevenue
02.2014 - 10.2021

Director of Human Resources

BLINQ Media (A Gannett Company)
01.2010 - 02.2014

Accounting & Business Management

Strayer University

Accounting & Business Management

Clayton College & State University

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Danielle Truesdale Hester