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Chief People Officer


Career Synopsis

Purpose-driven and growth-minded executive with 20+ years of experience leading organizational transformation through strategic people leadership, executive coaching, and culture design. Known for creating workplaces where people and performance thrive, I blend operational rigor with a deep understanding of human dynamics to help leaders and teams unlock their potential.

A proven track record of modernizing people systems, building high-trust, high-impact teams, and aligning workforce strategy to business outcomes. I bring an executive coach’s lens to leadership development—helping organizations elevate engagement, retention, and results through clarity, authenticity, and purpose.

Areas of Expertise

Executive Coaching & Advisory | Organizational Transformation | People & Culture Strategy | Leadership Development | Performance Optimization | Strategic Planning | Talent Acquisition & Retention | Process Improvement | Emotional Intelligence | Change Management | Culture Influence | Navigating Ambiguity | Authentic Leadership | Generational Awareness

Michele Vespi

Remote Access, Global Reach

Executive Consultant

2022.11 - Present

Job overview

Consulting firm focusing on providing expertise and advisory services in people and operational strategy for global, private and public companies, and non profit organizations; employing innovative approaches and creative solutions across a diverse set of industries and sectors.

Menlo Park, CA

Chief People Officer

2022.11 - Present

Job overview

  • Driving transformative people strategies and initiatives to optimize talent management, and foster organizational growth.

  • Oversee all People functions; HR compliance, employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, training and development, compensation, benefits and compliance, succession planning and talent assessment to ensure optimal team performance.

  • Streamline people solutions, effectively attracting, managing, and retaining top talent during a hyper-growth stage and beyond, resulting in sustained success and accelerated organizational expansion.

Location: NYC

Global Chief People Officer / Chief Operating Officer

2019.09 - 2022.11

Job overview

Multi-award-winning full service creative agency. The online travel community boasts one of the largest and most influential followings worldwide, with 50+ million social media followers.

  • Led operations across all divisions of Beautiful Destinations, Beautiful Hotels, Beautiful Cuisines, and Beautiful Matters, encompassing People, Operations, Creative, Pre and Post Production, Client Services, Social, Strategy, and Finance.

  • Led organization-wide changes, including modernizing procedures, implementing cost-reduction initiatives, and driving substantial business growth, while maintaining a high level of operational performance and efficiency.

  • Improved executive decision-making by serving as an advisor to the CEO, C-suite, and leadership team and final decision maker across day-to-today responsibilities across all disciplines.

  • Executed comprehensive policies, procedures, and employee handbook for a diverse workforce of 50+ global full-time employees and 250+ freelancers and consultants.

  • Implemented a fully distributed global workforce model, establishing a presence in the UAE, which led to a nearly 30% increase in revenues.

  • Improved financial standing by establishing BD’s compensation philosophy and model, and by co-creating and approving individual division budgets, fiscal reports, and proposed efforts, ensuring effective deployment of quarterly strategic business plans.

  • Cultivated and nourished long-term client relationships, leading to a remarkable 60% increase in retention year over year.

  • Diversified the organization and bolstered company culture across EMEA and North American regions.

Location: NYC

Head of People & Operations / Sr. Director - WeGrow

04/2018 - 08/2019

Job overview

Global provider of co-working spaces that previously had launched several ventures across technology, health, wellness, and education, inclusive of WeGrow; a private school established within WeWork's HQ in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

  • Spearheaded day-to-day operations for WeGrow as Head of People and Operations, managing all employees across headquarters, school-based staff, and supporting key people initiatives within new business ventures as part of WeWork's expansion efforts.

  • Pioneered the launch of WeWork's first-ever education venture, WeGrow, by designing and constructing a cutting-edge 10,000 sq. ft interactive learning landscape.

  • Orchestrated a comprehensive talent management and performance program for 40+ staff members at WeGrow, enhancing employee development and productivity.

  • Developed a progressive curriculum infused with Montessori and Reggio Amelia pedagogies for children aged 3-9, ensuring an innovative and engaging educational experience.

Location: NYC

Chief People Officer 

04/2012 - 04/2018

Job overview

Renowned charter school non-profit organization with 47 schools that serve the New York area and 17,000+ students.

  • Led a team of 50+ as Chief People Officer, overseeing performance management, compensation, training, and employee relations for 2,400+ employees across 47 high-performing K-12 public charter schools and a central network.

  • Achieved 100% of hiring goals consistently, averaging 1500+ hires annually for instructional and non-instructional staff.

  • Implemented innovative programs to enhance recruitment and training effectiveness, including the organization's first internship (Fellows) program, resulting in improved quality, retention, and scalability of instructional hires.

  • Created a robust financial planning process to effectively manage the $300M annual operating budget of the rapidly growing 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

  • Developed and expanded the Military Veteran (MilVet) recruitment initiative, increasing the organization's Veteran staff count from 4 to 46 in less than 10 months by hiring three dedicated Veterans to administer the program efforts.

  • Introduced performance management tools, online training and collaboration forums, and competency-based mid-management and supervisory leadership development programs.

Location: NYC

Vice President, HR / US Head, Campus Recruitment

05/2000 - 04/2012

Job overview

Full-service investment bank providing M&A, Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets, Restructuring Advisory, and Trading, globally, across all industry sectors.

  • Achieved remarkable success in recruiting top talent globally by outperforming renowned investment banking firms in highly competitive markets.

  • Founded and scaled campus recruitment and training programs across Investment Banking, Fixed Income, and Sales and Trading.

  • Successfully led talent acquisition, development, and management initiatives at Jefferies, resulting in the recruitment and retention of high-caliber professionals.

  • Elevated Jefferies' brand and reputation by implementing strategies that effectively scaled the organization with top-tier Analysts and Associates.

  • Developed and implemented world-class training programs, equipping employees with the skills necessary for success.