Growing Up

childhood

As the seventh of ten children—six of whom were adopted from various corners of the world and four by birth—I grew up with more siblings than most, less personal space than many, and a deep understanding of group dynamics. The size of our family dictated certain practices: assigned seats in the 15-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, and a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), I turned my love of fashion and beauty into a career in NYC that began with Betsey Johnson and Donna Karan. There, I met Trey Laird, with whom I later helped launch the Laird+Partners agency. I spent a decade there building and leading the Creative Services team (Production, Studio, and Project Management), managing over 2,000 marketing projects annually for clients like Donna Karan, Gap, Nautica, Bottega Veneta, and more… until I discovered my true calling: HR. But I wasn’t your typical HR leader.

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'). 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 care for people at work 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 whole, and I believe inspiration is just as important as objectives.

I have spent over 25 years working with founder-led companies. Early in my career, I reported to CCOs, CSOs, COOs, CFOs, and CEOs, and for the last 15 years I have worked directly with the founders. I am equally comfortable collaborating with founders and executives as I am with admins and interns. I’ve had the privilege of working with, along side and for founders and creative companies across the fashion, advertising, strategy, innovation, e-commerce, and wellness spaces. Below are some of the founders that I’ve been lucky enough to work with.

Education

Boston University
Bachelor of Science & Administration ~ 1997
School of Management, Organizational Behavior

Northwestern University
Master of Arts, Mental Health Counseling ~ 2025
Multiculturalism & Social Justice

Courses: 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•Group Counseling Theory and Practice •Addictions Counseling•Family, Marital, and Couples Counseling•Evaluation & Treatment of Trauma Disorders•Research Methods in Counseling•Psychopharmacology•Career and Lifestyle Planning•Skills for Social Justice Advocacy, Outreach, and Prevention•Advanced Counseling Skills•800+ hrs of Practicum & Internships

Specialties

“HR Therapist” (feedback from colleagues after 1:1 meetings)•Employee Relations•Re-Inspiring People•Founder, Executive & People Manager advisor•Performance Management Processes•Managing Employee Journey’s•Coaching & Conducting Empathic Terminations

Board Membership

Board Member, The Hub The Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that provides a single, local point of access for mental health and addiction programs, services, and education for individuals and families.

Companies & Clients

More about my upbringing…

Yale to Jail - Growing Up One of Ten Kids (somewhere in the middle) and how it influenced the human and HR leader I became.