Laurel Kreis
Laurel Kreis is an accomplished executive advisor and people leader specializing in human resources, talent management, and global people operations. Currently serving as Executive Director and People Advisory Partner at Ankura, she is known for her pragmatic, results-driven approach to building human-centered workplaces that deliver measurable business outcomes. With a strong foundation in leadership coaching and organizational strategy, Laurel partners with executive teams to translate complex people strategies into actionable solutions that drive engagement, retention, and operational effectiveness across global organizations.
Interestingly, Laurel’s path into human resources was not a deliberate one but rather an evolution shaped by experience. Early in her career, while working in consulting as a resource manager responsible for staffing and project alignment, she encountered an employee relations issue and sought guidance from HR—only to be told, “You are HR.” What began as an unexpected responsibility quickly became a defining strength. At a time when HR was often perceived as compliance-driven, Laurel leaned into a more human-centered philosophy, grounded in her belief that people ultimately stay with or leave organizations because of people, not brands. Since then, she has built a career centered on fostering meaningful workplace relationships, helping organizations navigate change, and ensuring that employees feel supported, understood, and empowered.
Throughout her career, Laurel has led large-scale transformation initiatives across consulting, technology, and professional services environments. She has successfully guided organizations through mergers and acquisitions, including the integration of Noah Consulting into Infosys, ensuring strong employee retention and cultural alignment during periods of change. In her current role, she operates across a broad spectrum of responsibilities—from performance management and employee relations to executive coaching and organizational design. A seasoned remote leader since 1999, she plays a critical role in driving change management, helping leaders clearly communicate vision and strategy so employees can understand and embrace what it means for them. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in authenticity, integrity, and a deep commitment to building cultures where people and performance thrive together.
• Introduction to Employee Relations
• Roosevelt University - BA, Liberal Arts
• Elgin Community College - AA, Liberal Arts
• Best Places to Work - Houston Business Journal (multiple years)
• Best Places to Work - additional Houston publication (multiple years)
• Live Like Bella
• Live Like Bella - childhood cancer foundation fundraising and events including 5K races
• Schaumburg High School District 211
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being unafraid. I don't have a fear of failure. I believe that I've had success because I'm willing to try. And I'll make a decision. And then if that decision doesn't work out, I make a new decision. And so I think being unafraid to challenge myself, and to believe in myself, I really think that's where I found success. Pretty much every opportunity I've had to grow and stretch and learn has been because of earning trust and people believing that I can. I've been very fortunate to have people in my life who could see potential in me and give me chances to do a lot of things that I had never done, and just trust that it would go okay. And that's how it's worked out, and I've had amazing success in my career because people have believed in me, and I think they believe in me because I've always come through. I'm very resourceful, and when there's a will, there's a way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Smart people figure things out. And so, the advice comes from not doubting that you're capable. Anybody can learn the skill, but not everybody has the capacity to or interest in figuring things out. I got that advice from a leader who hired me to do something I had never done. I was very young, I was like 23, 24 years old. He hired me to do something I'd never done. I told him, 'I've never done this, but I want this job.' And he said, 'You're smart, you'll figure it out. I believe you can do it.' I know the word smart is kind of subjective, but that's what always comes to my mind. Just believe in yourself. Nobody has all the answers.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I care deeply that people work for people. It doesn't matter the name on the building. People stay for people and they leave for people. My values are so much aligned with how do you get the best out of people, even in difficult situations, and helping leaders navigate that. My interest in human behavior and understanding what motivates people and also what drives people to disengage or walk away is central to everything I do. In my personal life, my dog is the love of my life. I take her everywhere, she fits in a little pouch so I can take her everywhere. I definitely enjoy an outdoor life, and that's why I made the move from Chicago to Miami. I like paddle boarding, kayaking, bike riding, just being outside, sitting on the beach. On the intellectual side, I really do enjoy the coaching and counseling I do for a lot of kids that are coming out of college and feel lost, or people like me in my generation who just feel stuck. I consider that a hobby too because it's a regular basis that I'm having calls or getting together with people, having them work through and helping them come up with what's in their control.