Across industries, from VR/XR gaming to international construction to healthcare and dentistry, HR leaders are reshaping what modern people strategy really looks like. According to Natalie Mellin Poppelvik of Resolution Games, Suzanna Travers of Kilnbridge, and Gloria Chasseriaud of Smiles of Orlando, today’s workforce is more complex, more human, and more demanding of thoughtful leadership than ever before.
And as expectations rise, more HR leaders are turning toward experiential leadership development, something HIC Consulting continues to strengthen through immersive, simulation-based training that helps managers rely less on HR and lead with confidence.
According to Natalie Mellin Poppelvik, Head of People & Culture at Resolution Games
Building Culture Inside One of the World’s Leading Mixed-Reality Studios
Resolution Games, home to some of the world’s most successful VR/XR games played by millions globally is navigating a rapidly shifting tech landscape with people strategy at the center.
Natalie’s journey began more than two decades ago when she studied gender science long before DEI became mainstream. Her career wove through recruitment, consulting, and leadership roles before she joined Resolution Games five years ago.
“Our career evolved every time we followed the work that let me build something meaningful,” she shared.
According to Natalie, psychological safety has become a core organizational focus, especially during times of industry uncertainty. Employees are increasingly vocal about wanting workplaces where open dialogue, transparency, and emotional wellbeing are part of everyday culture, not aspirational language.
“Leaders must understand how worry shows up in creative environments and create space where people feel safe enough to express it.”
By embedding these principles into Resolution Games’ people strategy, Natalie empowers teams to innovate boldly and execute effectively in a fast-moving mixed-reality environment.
She is especially passionate about integrating behavioral economics and nudging into people practices to reduce bias and support better decision-making. Rather than relying on heavy instruction, Natalie believes in embedded, subtle approaches that shape healthier habits naturally.
To recharge from the emotional demands of HR?
“Forest bathing in Sweden has become our reset button. You feel your whole body exhale.”
According to Suzanna Travers, Head of People at Kilnbridge
Strategic People Leadership Inside a £100M+ Construction & Engineering Group
Kilnbridge, a multidisciplinary construction and engineering firm serving aviation, infrastructure, and large-scale projects manages thousands of workers across the UK. According to Suzanna, HR’s role in this sector is deeply tied to operational success, commercial outcomes, and leadership capability.
Her career began in hospitality, moving across events, restaurants, consulting, and administrative roles before she transitioned into people leadership inside the construction industry. What kept her rooted in HR was the profound business and employee impact she could see.
“HR isn’t a cost center, HR is the function that helps the business make money by helping people perform at their best.”
According to Suzanna, the construction industry faces a critical shortage of skilled workers, and the organizations that will win are those that invest in management capability, career pathways, and stronger workforce experiences.
She is especially passionate about building systems that showcase HR’s measurable value from performance processes to employee engagement strategies to commercial alignment.
“When HR is connected to the numbers, the strategy shifts. You stop talking in theory and start talking in outcomes.”
Suzanna continues to build HR networks across the UK, championing professional development and modern people practices for women in male-dominated sectors.
According to Gloria Chasseriaud, Human Resource Business Partner at Smiles of Orlando
Human-Centered HR Inside a High-Growth Healthcare Organization
Smiles of Orlando serves thousands of patients annually and blends clinical excellence with human-centered care, and Gloria leads the people function with the same philosophy.
Her background in psychology and work in psychiatric units shaped her understanding of human needs long before she entered HR.
“We wanted to help people before they reached a crisis point, and HR became the place where we could do that every day.”
Her early career in luxury residential staffing taught her to design deeply personal onboarding experiences. She would even host breakfast events for new hires, creating an immediate sense of belonging.
One of her defining achievements was passing her SHRM certification on the first attempt, despite being cautioned by others.
“You can’t let someone else’s fear become your path.”
According to Gloria, HR’s work extends beyond an employee’s last day. She continues supporting former employees through resume reviews, recommendations, and transition guidance.
Her focus is now helping companies build and develop their HR departments, including improving processes, implementing cost efficient benefits models, and expanding remote hiring strategies. But she sees one critical gap in the industry:
“We talk about AI constantly, but very few HR teams have training on compliance or legal risks. Leaders are using tools they don’t fully understand.”
Her emphasis on AI literacy aligns with the broader need for HR functions that can lead, not follow technological change.
What These HR Leaders Agree On
Despite their different industries, Natalie, Suzanna, and Gloria emphasize five powerful truths shaping today’s workforce:
1. HR must be both human-centered and data-informed.
2. Psychological safety is now a competitive advantage.
3. Managers, not policies, drive culture.
4. AI literacy will define the future of people’s leadership.
5. Engagement must be sustained, not front-loaded.
These are the same areas where HIC Consulting partners with HR leaders through interactive simulations and leadership experiences that reduce managerial dependency and strengthen organizational culture from the inside out.
About the Author
From securing an $8M breakthrough inside a global fintech to being named CEO of the very platform she built, Netta Jenkins has mastered the art of turning bold ideas into lasting business transformation. With a LinkedIn community of over 200,000, she’s the CEO redefining how organizations drive employee engagement and performance through AI. A two-time Wiley author, Netta’s work has been amplified by Arianna Huffington to more than 10 million people. Her latest book, Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence, gives leaders the playbook to transform everyday teams into high-performing powerhouses.
As founder of HIC, a workplace consulting firm and creator of HIC HR Hub, a private community for senior HR leaders to share and gain new insights. She also hosts Beyond Management™, a viral LinkedIn leadership series with over 50 million impressions, where she sparks street-level conversations that elevate employer brands, attract top talent, and inspire customers. A seasoned TEDx and international keynote speaker, Netta has energized audiences across the U.S., Ghana, the Netherlands, and Turkey with bold insights and measurable takeaways. With 15+ years of global advisory experience, she shares weekly video tips that empower managers at every level. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, McKinsey, Forbes, Fortune, and more. Named one of CIO Views’ Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow.
Netta helps organizations connect workplace culture, technology, and performance to deliver measurable, lasting impact. Previously serving as VP of Global Inclusive Strategy at IAC, Netta partnered with brands like Match.com, Vimeo, and Daily Beast. She advises Betterment, consults executives via the Intro app, and is pursuing a doctorate in quality systems. Currently, she collaborates with Marc Lore (former CEO of Walmart) and Preet Bharara (former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York) to build Telosa, a visionary new city in America. Residing on the East Coast with her family, Netta continues to make a transformative impact in both the corporate and startup landscapes.
