Growing Up

As the seventh of ten children – six of whom were adopted from various corners of the world – I grew up with more siblings than most, less personal space than many and a deep understanding of “group dynamics.”

The family’s large size dictated certain practices: assigned seats in the15-passenger van, mountains of hand-me-downs and an infamous “job chart.”

To distinguish myself among so many siblings (a world-class gymnast; a Tony-nominated Broadway star; a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), I parlayed my love of fashion and beauty into a career in NYC that began with Betsey Johnson and Donna Karan. 

There, I met Trey Laird whom I would later help to launch the Laird+Partners agency. Here, I worked for a decade and found my true calling: HR.

But, I wasn’t your everyday HR person.

Early career

Like a lot of people, I held a stereotype against HR that wasn’t entirely positive.

Growing up in such a diverse family, I was hypersensitive to stereotypes and hesitant about being promoted to HR, especially since I was (and still am) a white, enthusiastic blonde woman (now with the addition of 'middle-aged'). I much preferred my role as Head of Creative Services running Production, Studio and Project Management. I project managed 2,000+ marketing and advertising projects to one year.

But in my late 20’s, an incredible manager and mentor at Laird+Partners, Hans Dorsinville, recognized my unique ‘human’ talents: natural influence, mentorship skills, and ability to create a great culture at the start-up creative agency. Without any formal HR training (I ironically kept a copy of HR for Dummies on my desk), I forged my own path and perspective to help founders, executives, and people managers to leverage my HR expertise to improve the employee journey for everyone and make work work better.

I am an advocate for people, cultures, and addressing mental health at work. I love making things better, and at one point, t-shirts were printed with the slogan: 'Britta Makes It Happen.'

Empowering all levels, I respect history while building the future. I understand both creativity and spreadsheets, I easily balance the needs of the individual and the organization, and I believe inspiration is just as important as objectives.

Experience

I have spent 25+ years working for founder led companies. I have reported to Founders, CEOs, CFOs, CCOs, CSOs, and COOs. I am as comfortable working with founders and executives as I am with admins and interns. I have been fortunate enough to work with the following founders, companies and industries.

It’s Britta Consulting

> Ascend Center & Collective, Wellness•Melia Marzollo
> Badgers & Winters, Advertising•Modonna Badger & Jim Winters
> Bogg Bags, Accessories•Kim Vaccarella
> CFDA, Fashion •Eleanor Lambert
> Doucette New York, Fashion•Stephanie Doucette
> Fluent, Innovation•Brian Owen, Janet T. Planet & Brandon Rochon
> General Idea, Advertising•Semjon von Doenhoff, Tanner Graham & Ian Schatberg
> JD&Co, Design•Dakyung Lee & Jong Woo Si
> Lilla P, Fashion•Pauline Nakios
> Outlaw, Soaps•Danielle Vincent
> Select World, Advertising•Herwig Preis
> Snappy, Gifts•Hani Goldstein
> Stink Studios, Production•Mark Pytlik & Daniel Bergmann
> Sylvain, Strategy•Alain Sylvain
> Tigers Don’t Cry, Hair•Eileen Sherpard
> The Pocket Park Kids Inc, Theater• Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, Anika Larsen & Catherine Levene
> Urban Studios, Production•Dennis Cusack & Alberto Ruiz

Full-time

>> 2024 It’s Britta Consulting DBA It’s HR Therapy, HR + Mental Health•me
>> 2020 Bespoke Post, E-commerce•Steve Szaronos & Rishi Prabhu
>> 2018 It’s Britta Consulting, HR•me
>> 2018 Translation, Advertising•Steve Stoute
>> 2017 Fahrenheit 212, Innovation•Mark Payne
>> 2016 Redscout, Strategy•Jonah Disend
>> 2012 Omega Institute, Wellness•Elizabeth Lesser & Stephan Rechtschaffen
>> 2010 YARD, Advertising • Ruth Bernstein & Stephen Niedzwiecki
>> 2002 Laird+Partners, Advertising•Trey Laird
>> 1999 Donna Karan, Fashion•Donna Karan
>> 1998 Betsey Johnson, Fashion•Betsey Johnson

Education

Northwestern University
Masters of Mental Health Counseling ~ 2025
•Multiculturalism & Social Justice•

Boston University
Bachelor of Science & Administration ~ 1993
• School of Management, Organizational Behavior•

Masters Curriculum

Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy•Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling•Multicultural Counseling• Assessment in Counseling • Psychodynamic Counseling: Individuals and Systems•Human Growth & Development•Psychopathology and Diagnosis in Counseling•Introductory Counseling Skills • Practicum

Specialties

“HR Therapist” (Feedback from individuals after 1:1 meetings)•Employee Relations•Re-Inspiring People•Performance Management Processes•Managing Employee Journey’s•Coaching & Conducting Empathic Terminations

Brands

Athleta, Beringer Wine, Betsey Johnson, Bottega Veneta, Cadbury/Schwepps, Design Within Reach, Donna Karan, DKNY, Equinox, Frye, Gap, Hush Puppies, Isopure, Juicy Couture, John Varvatos, Johnston & Murphy, Kate Spade, Keds, LeSportsac, The Limited, Liz Claiborne, Maidenform, Nautica, NBA, Perry Ellis, Shea Moisture, Timberland, Tumi and more…