Her Story
About Laurel
I did not set out to build a career in human resources. My path into the field emerged organically through experience and a growing interest in the intersection of people, leadership, and organizational success. Today, I serve as Executive Director and People Advisory Partner at Ankura, where I advise senior leaders on human resources strategy, global talent management, and organizational effectiveness. I partner with teams to translate complex people strategies into practical solutions that strengthen engagement, retention, and performance across global teams.
Early in my career, I was working as a resource manager responsible for staffing in a large technology consulting team when a challenging employee relations issue arose. I sought guidance from HR only to be told, “You are HR.” What began as an unexpected responsibility quickly revealed a natural strength for navigating challenging people dynamics and supporting leaders through difficult decisions.
At a time when HR was often defined by compliance, I took an approach centered on relationships, trust, and the human experience at work. I believed employees ultimately stay with (or leave) organizations because of people, not the brand. That belief shaped my leadership philosophy and the way I approach organizational change.
Throughout my career, I have guided organizations through large-scale transformations across consulting and professional services environments. For example, I played a key role in mergers and acquisitions, including the integration of Noah Consulting into Infosys, helping maintain strong employee engagement and cultural alignment during periods of significant change.
In my current role, my work spans performance management, employee relations, executive coaching, and organizational design. I am particularly known for helping leaders communicate clearly during moments of transformation, ensuring employees understand not only what is changing, but how they fit into the organization’s future.
At its core, I believe HR is about building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating cultures where people and performance can thrive together. This has helped me earn the trust of executives while also mentoring and supporting professionals at every level of the organization.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laurel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to a mindset rooted in courage, curiosity, and a willingness to take on challenges without fear of failure. I believe in making thoughtful decisions, learning quickly, and adjusting course when needed. Growth has always come from being willing to try, stretch beyond my comfort zone, and trust in my ability to navigate whatever comes next.
Throughout my career, many of my greatest opportunities emerged because leaders recognized my potential and placed their trust in my ability to step into new and unfamiliar situations. I credit much of my professional development to those mentors and leaders who believed in me before I had done the work myself.
I built a reputation for delivering on that trust. The combination of resilience, adaptability, and follow-through has allowed me to consistently turn opportunity into impact and build a career defined by growth, leadership, and meaningful results.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I received was simple: don’t be afraid to try. Early in my career, I was given opportunities that stretched far beyond what I had done before, and I learned that development comes from stepping into those moments rather than waiting until you feel fully prepared. That advice taught me to trust my resourcefulness and embrace challenges as opportunities.
Another great piece of advice I received and try to apply every day is to focus on what's in your control, which is a good reminder that we are all responsible for our own journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be honest, be curious, and show you’ll figure it out. Trust built that way is what opens doors in HR.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in HR right now is figuring out how to responsibly use AI to create efficiencies while maintaining compliance with company policies (where they exist), confidentiality, and avoiding unintentional biases.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are integrity, empathy, and accountability. I believe people do their best work when they feel respected and supported, but also when there are clear expectations and a shared commitment to delivering results.
In my work, that means being someone people can trust, whether I’m giving honest advice, helping navigate a difficult moment, or making sure decisions align with our values and the needs of the business.
In my personal life, this shows in decisions I have made to take accountability for my wellbeing. In 2022, I made a decision to be where I want to be and do what I want to do, so I moved from the suburbs of Chicago to Miami. That brought me a whole new way of life filled with fresh air, paddleboarding, biking, and beach time. While my location and personal life changed drastically, I continue to mentor and coach recent graduates in finding direction and guiding peers through moments of uncertainty.
Personally and professionally, I try to show up in a way that balances care for people (including myself) with responsibility for outcomes.
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