Your HR Strategist - Krystal Speed (2026)

29/10/2025

Still riding the high from speaking at the Young, Smart & Local Conference 💜✨

We dug into how employer branding isn’t just about recruiting — it’s about belonging.
When you lead with your “why” and show off your people, you attract talent that believes in your mission.

Here’s a quick peek at the magic from my session 🎤

What’s one way your company shows off its people or culture?

30/07/2025

When I worked in-house, I was lucky.
I sat at tables where HR was respected.
Where my perspective was valued.
Where I got to be a strategic partner—not just the policy person.

So when I launched my own consulting practice, I knew one thing for sure:
I wanted to work with leaders who wanted an HR expert at the table.

Not just to check a box, but to build something better...for their people, their culture, and the future of their organization.

That’s what fractional HR consulting has allowed me to do. 💓

💡 In this short clip from my latest LinkedIn Live, I break down what fractional HR really is and how it creates freedom, fulfillment, and real influence for HR pros who are ready to step into it.

📽️ If you’re an HR leader curious about what it looks like to consult without compromising your values (or your income), this is your invitation.

Watch the clip and catch the full replay for the full breakdown here: https://www.yourhrstrategist.com/howtolandyourfirstclientworkbook

23/04/2025

The job search shouldn’t feel like a maze of ghosting, vague expectations, and one-sided interviews.

But for many candidates, it does.

This month’s LinkedIn Live is a candid conversation with jobseekers, Jena Larson and Michael Boyink, about what it really feels like to go through today’s hiring process — the good, the bad, and the moments that stick with you.

We’re not here to shame. We’re here to share stories, humanize the experience, and offer insights that can help leaders, hiring managers, and HR pros strengthen and modernize how they hire. Hey, I’m taking notes too. ✍🏾

✨ Because when we know better, we can build better.

📅 Wednesday, April 30
⏰ 12:30–1:15 PM CDT
📍 Live on LinkedIn (DM me for the link)
🎙️ What Candidates Say When You’re Not in the Room

31/03/2025

Having interns join your team, whether for a short project sprint or for a semester-long experience, can be a game-changer for many startups that are in growth mode 📈

But how do you ensure it is a win for you and a win for the student interns you bring on?

In March's LinkedIn Live, I got to chat with Tameshia Rudd-Ridge and Jourdan Brunson, founders of kinkofa, about their experience working with interns. They also shared how they're preparing for the interns that will join them this summer. So much good information was shared!

So, if you are considering having interns join your business in the coming months, definitely check out the replay here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/internsasagrowthhack-howfounder7308200521876520960/

For those who had interns support your business in the past, or if you had an internship in the early stages of your career, what's one success tip that made all the difference? Share in the comments 👇🏾

26/03/2025

✨ This month’s LinkedIn Live is one you don’t want to miss! ✨

I'll be chatting with the powerhouse duo behind kinkofa, Jourdan Brunson and Tameshia Rudd-Ridge—founders, family historians, and tech trailblazers using internships as a strategic growth tool.

🚀 In Interns as a Growth Hack: How Tech Startups Maximize Talent in the Early Stages, we’ll explore how kinkofa has leveraged interns to grow their mission-driven platform while also creating powerful, real-world experiences for students.

About my guests:
🔍 Jourdan is a product marketing expert and genealogist who’s spent 17+ years helping Black families uncover and preserve their histories. His work bridges tech and storytelling, with experience at brands like Lyft and Instacart.

🌍 Tameshia is a creative technologist and public historian whose work spans 14 African countries. Her passion lies in reclaiming Black stories and preserving cultural memory across generations and geographies.

🎙️ Thursday, March 27
🕛 12:00–12:30 PM CDT
🔗 Join us live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/internsasagrowthhack-howfounder7308200521876520960/theater/

10/03/2025

🚨 The one thing that can make or break an internship experience?

Too many leaders bring on interns without a clear plan in place—leading to confusion, missed opportunities, and internships that don’t deliver real value (for the intern or the organization).

That’s why I’m teaming up with Karen McCann McClelland for a live webinar to help leaders of summer and school auxiliary programs (and anyone hiring interns) build structured, impactful internship programs.

We’ll cover:
✅ Setting clear program goals
✅ Crafting compelling internship descriptions
✅ Recruiting the right interns
✅ Designing meaningful learning experiences
✅ Overcoming common challenges

📅 Date: March 11
🔗 DM me for registration info

A great internship experience doesn’t happen by accident. Let’s build it right from the start. Who’s in? 👇🏾

07/03/2025

We tend to think of career growth as something that happens at work. But what if your biggest professional development opportunities are happening OUTSIDE of it?

For me, when I led my alumni chapter’s college recruitment committee years ago, it gave me hands-on experience in talent acquisition and relationship management—skills that made me a stronger HR professional.

And the best part? I didn’t need a new job title to gain them.

Think about it:
✅ Volunteering = leadership and strategic thinking
✅ Planning events = project management and logistics
✅ Leading a nonprofit committee = people management and decision-making

🚀 Your experiences outside of work are shaping you professionally. Are you paying attention?

Take a few minutes today to reflect on the skills you’ve gained in unexpected ways. Then make sure they’re reflected in your résumé and LinkedIn profile.

Drop a comment: What’s one skill you’ve gained outside of your 9-to-5 that’s helped your career? ⬇️

05/03/2025

🚀 Thinking about launching (or improving) an internship program?

Internships can be a game-changer for both students and organizations, when done right. But how do you create a program that’s meaningful, structured, and beneficial for both your interns and your team?

Join me and Karen McCann McClelland for a live webinar where we’ll break it all down! We’re sharing actionable tools to help leaders of summer and auxiliary programs (and anyone hiring interns) craft impactful internships.

🎯 Set clear program goals
📝 Write compelling internship descriptions
🔍 Recruit top talent
🤝🏾 Build strong partnerships
💡 Create meaningful learning experiences

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11
📍 Where: Online
🔗 If you aren't a member of SPARC and you want to attend, send me a DM to get registered.

If you’re ready to turn internships into a true win-win, this webinar is for you! Tag someone who needs to be there. 👇🏾✨

28/02/2025

A few years ago, I thought about moving to Cape Town but wasn’t brave enough. 😳

Now, I’m here in South Africa for three months—working remotely, exploring, and soaking in every moment.

It’s not at all what I hoped for… it’s been SO MUCH more. ✨

Here’s a glimpse into my workcation so far—swipe through for the highlights! 👇🏾

1️⃣ Dinner with friends from Tulsa who just happened to be in Cape Town celebrating their marriage. The best kind of serendipity. 💛🥂

2️⃣ A week in Johannesburg—working, exploring, and making new friends (shoutout Sebo, the owner of . Joburg’s energy is unmatched.

3️⃣ Not only did we have an amazing convo about life and creativity, but Sebo and the rest of the Caraci team made some incredible outfits for me—like this one. 🔥

4️⃣ Beach days, Zoom nights, and some good curry in between in Durban. Because balance. 🌊💻🍛

5️⃣ Back to Cape Town for six weeks of working from my idea of paradise. Mountains, ocean, and slow mornings? Yes, please. ✨

Oh, and if you’re wondering if my work is suffering being halfway across the world? Guess what—business has never been better. 😉💼

💡 Have you ever thought about doing a workcation? If so, where? If not, what’s holding you back?

Let’s talk in the comments! 👇🏾

19/02/2025

🤔 What is fractional HR and how can it help your business?

Think of Fractional HR as your on-demand HR partner 🤝🏾

🔹 Need a hiring strategy or support to find the right people? I’ve got you!
🔹 Tackling special projects your internal team doesn’t have capacity for? Whether it is creating onboarding processes, updating employee hanbooks, or compensation planning, let’s make it happen! 💼
🔹 Growing your business and need help building a strong HR foundation? My team and I can do that, too!

DM me today to chat about how Fractional HR can work for you and your team! 💬

10/02/2025

Retention isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy! 🔑

Are you set up to retain your best employees?
Here are 3️⃣ simple tips to start today:
1️⃣ Build trust with open communication. Listen and stay curious.
2️⃣ Coach your people and offer meaningful growth opportunities
3️⃣ Remove barriers for your people so they can achieve better results.

Your people are your greatest asset. How are you showing up for them?

t

05/02/2025

Great leaders = great work culture

Want to set the tone for a thriving team? Here’s a quick checklist to guide you:

✅ Lead with empathy and transparency.
✅ Set clear expectations and celebrate wins.
✅ Model healthy boundaries and work-life balance.
✅ Invest in employee development and growth.

Remember: Your habits and mindset shape the culture in powerful ways. Model and live out the workplace culture you are trying to nurture, because your team will follow your lead.

Your HR Strategist - Krystal Speed