In fast-growing tech companies, HR can’t afford to stay on the sidelines. With rising burnout and constant change, People & Culture leaders are being called to lead, not just support. But what does it really mean to embed HR into the business? Tyler Cheyne, VP of People and Culture at Svante, says it starts with knowing your people as well as your strategy. In a conversation with PACT, he shares how HR can build trust, shape culture, and influence outcomes by meeting the organization where it’s at.

While building top teams has always been a priority, defining, finding and keeping great talent in an ever-changing world has truly become the key to success. We sit down with Klue’s Senior People Business Partner, Simran Bahia, to talk about their recently refined, three-pronged approach to ‘Defining Great Talent’ and how owning performance, potential and cultural contributions allow everyone to hold a high bar for themselves, while inspiring the innovation required to build a category-leading company.

The workplace can deeply shape and influence our identity, structure, and sense of purpose, which is why mental health at work is far more than a personal issue; it’s a leadership responsibility. As Shona McGlashan noted at Tech Talent North, “60% of people say their job is the single biggest factor influencing their mental health.” Perhaps even more striking, “managers now have just as much impact on a person’s mental health as their spouse.”

It’s been almost five years since the shift to remote and hybrid work began, but managing high-performing teams across distances remains a major challenge. Strong communication, transparency, and intentional hiring practices are more important than ever. In this issue, we’re sharing four practical tips from Michelle Brooks (Security Compass) and Mike Gozzo (Ada) to help you build and lead resilient, high-impact teams in today’s evolving work environment.

This edition of PACT Newsletter, explores the bold, brilliant, and sometimes unconventional paths shaping the future of HR. Our featured article dives into the rising trend of Fractional HR through the lens of veteran CHRO Lewisa Anciano, who shares how this agile, results-driven model is helping organizations access executive HR firepower—without the full-time price tag.

People strategy is evolving, but not every organization is keeping pace. In this issue, we sit down with Jeffrey Launay, VP & Chief of Staff, HR at Apotex, to explore how talent leaders must embrace their role as strategic partners, balance people and business needs, leverage technology and data, and take cues from finance and sales to build trust with the C-suite.

This PACT dives into whether CHROs have a “shelf life” and why that might actually be a good thing. Kara Wilson Oliver (VP People & Operations, DealMaker) shares how adopting a builder-and-fixer mindset has shaped her career and highlights the power of product thinking in HR. Her journey reimagines the CHRO role as a mobile, high-impact career path with limitless potential.

As you set goals for the new year, consider how HR can lead the charge in building purpose-driven businesses. Keith Ippel (Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Spring Activator) shares insights to show that aligning people, culture, and daily actions with impact doesn’t just do good—it drives sustainable success. Purpose and profit go hand in hand when an organization puts intention at the center of business strategy.

In today’s feature, Transforming CEO Thinking: Turning Costs into Assets with an Investor Mindset, CEO coach Daneal Charney, reveals how leaders can reframe talent as an appreciating asset. Discover actionable strategies to harness employee lifetime value, align HR metrics with business goals, and position HR as a strategic driver of growth. Dive in and redefine the role of HR in your organization!