The Promoted

At The Promoted, we help ambitious corporate leaders take charge of their careers and finally get noticed. No fluff—just real, practical tools and insider strategies to help you stand out and level up. Led by a former SVP and Head of HR, we offer an insider’s guide to getting noticed and unlocking the secrets of career advancement in the corporate world.

Founder & CEO

Bamboo Leader Group

At BLG, we are passionate about helping companies develop post-M&A people & culture integration plans that create engaged and productive employees and operational profitability. In addition to supporting institutions, we work directly with driven leaders within organizations facing large-scale change as they navigate through uncertainty while building strong personal-brands.

Founder & Principal 

Fractional Leadership

I am a member of Fractional Leadership, an elite community of independently vetted Fractional Leaders with the expertise, industry experience, and executive background to serve small and medium size businesses who need our level of support, producing results at a fraction of the time and cost.

Fractional Leadership is a great resource for the fractional executive leadership industry whether for fractional executives themselves or for business owners looking for information about it.

Fractional HR Leader 

Modis

Head of Human Resources North American Region

Florida Blue

Head of Human Resources, Enabling Functions

Entrepreneurs'​ Organization

Guest Speaker

Bank of America

Head of HR for US Dealer Services and US Business Asset Lending

SVP, Global Human Resources Executive

Senior Human Resources Manager

Deutsche Bank

HR support to Deutsche Bank's Global Sales & Trading division.

HR Generalist

I help companies accelerate M&A integration and large-scale change success 🔥 Expert Leadership & Career Advisor 🔥 Fractional HR Leader

As the CEO of The Promoted, I help ambitious corporate leaders break through career stagnation and achieve the promotions they deserve without sacrificing their well-being. With 20+ years of experience as a former F500 SVP and Head of HR, I’ve sat in countless rooms where decisions about promotions were made—and I know exactly what it takes to stand out, lead effectively, and advance to the next level.

At The Promoted, I teach leaders how to navigate the unwritten rules of the corporate game. Through my signature programs and one-on-one coaching, I provide the clarity, strategies, and tools leaders need to take control of their careers, build executive presence, and gain recognition for their contributions.

I also work as a Fractional Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and a trusted partner to organizations undergoing transformational change, including mergers and acquisitions. My expertise in aligning leadership, people strategies, and operational objectives helps businesses navigate transitions with confidence, ensuring both cultural and operational success.

I’m passionate about empowering leaders to realize their full potential. Having coached thousands of executives, I’ve seen how the right mindset, skills, and strategies can turn frustration into fulfillment—and I’m here to help make that transformation a reality.

If you’re a corporate leader ready to take charge of your career, let’s connect.

Courtney Hughes-O'Connell, PCC, SHRM-SCP

Wells Fargo

Human Resources Executive | Commercial Banking | Enterprise Transformation | CHRO-Level Scope | C-Suite Strategic Partner

In a role equal in scope and complexity to many CHRO positions, I served as the senior HR leader for a global Commercial Banking organization supporting 25,000+ employees and over 400,000 clients across domestic and international markets. Reporting into the enterprise HR structure and partnering directly with C-suite executives and business leaders, I shaped and executed talent strategies that supported $12B+ in revenue and $3B+ in operating expenses.

I led a high-performing HR team through enterprise-wide transformation initiatives—optimizing process, people, and technology to drive performance, regulatory alignment, and long-term growth. My work delivered more than $500M in cost savings through strategic restructuring, workforce design, and enhanced governance. I introduced scorecard-driven performance management systems and incentive plans that boosted revenue alignment by 32% and significantly improved employee experience.

I chaired cross-functional steering committees focused on compensation, risk management, and regulatory adherence, authored critical Board-level documents, and was entrusted with sensitive, high-impact decisions affecting business continuity and people operations. A known culture-builder and strategic advisor, I partnered with senior leadership to create a more agile, inclusive, and resilient organization.

Throughout my tenure, I championed DE&I at every level and actively mentored diverse, female, and Veteran talent. I was honored to be recommended by a C-suite business partner for a Leadership feature in Authority Magazine—a reflection of both my performance and professional integrity.

Now seeking my next senior HR opportunity, I bring CHRO-level experience, a record of transformational impact, and a reputation for elevating people, performance, and purpose.

Managing Director, Human Resources Executive

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

As an HR Executive supporting diverse front, middle, and back-office business lines—including Global Markets & Banking Operations, Enterprise Fraud & Claims, Mortgage Servicing, and Commercial & Investment Banking—I led with a strategic mindset and a people-first approach. Spanning 26 countries and supporting up to 25,000 employees and vendor partners, I partnered closely with senior executives to align talent strategy with multi-billion-dollar business goals. My work directly impacted lines of business with portfolios exceeding $2.7T, serving 14 million customers and more than 3,800 investors.

I was trusted to advise on complex HR matters, guide enterprise-wide change, and lead initiatives across risk management, organizational design, and performance strategy. As Market President HR Executive for Greater Los Angeles, I served as a strategic advisor to regional enterprise leaders, driving business development strategies and advancing organizational effectiveness. From building high-impact talent strategies to strengthening HR risk frameworks, I helped shape a culture of accountability, innovation, and results—elevating both employee experience and bottom-line performance.

Senior Vice President, Human Resources Executive

T-Mobile

As Director of Human Resources, I partnered with Retail and B2B sales leaders to build a high-impact, scalable HR model that aligned talent strategy with business objectives. I led organization-wide initiatives in talent development, succession planning, and change management—boosting leadership bench strength by 25% and improving employee retention by 15%. I designed and restructured compensation and incentive programs, modernized benefits offerings, and developed HR policies that drove performance and compliance. By earning the trust of a skeptical sales leadership team, I positioned HR as a key strategic partner in driving growth and transformation.

Director of Human Resources - Retail, Commercial Sales

Starbucks

At Starbucks, I led talent strategy across dynamic teams in Marketing, R&D, Hear Music Retail Stores and Creative—driving recruitment, development, and succession planning to fuel innovation and business growth. I shaped competitive compensation strategies through deep job analysis and market insights, while fostering a high-performance culture through thoughtful performance management and onboarding practices. As a mentor and DE&I advocate, I helped create a more inclusive, engaged, and future-ready workforce, aligned with the company’s values and long-term vision.

Sr. Partner Resources Manager - North America Marketing, Hear Music Stores, R&D and Creative Dept

Gateway Computers

As an HR Leader and Strategic Business Partner, I supported Technology, Retail, and B2B Sales teams throughout my tenure, delivering tailored people strategies to drive business performance and growth. I led the integration of an enterprise staffing platform, optimizing talent acquisition and operational efficiency across various business units. Over the years, I shaped compensation and benefits strategies specific to evolving sales models, provided strategic guidance on workforce planning, and led employee relations and severance programs. Through cross-functional collaboration, I influenced end-to-end HR processes and ensured alignment with organizational goals.

Sr. HR Manager, Staffing Program Manager, Retail Stores, Commercial Sales and Technical Support

Ingersoll Rand

As an HR Manager, I led strategic talent initiatives that drove recruitment, development, and retention of early-career professionals, aligning talent strategies with organizational growth objectives. I managed the full talent lifecycle, ensuring succession planning, performance evaluation, and incentive programs supported long-term business goals. I also led Employee and Labor Relations, addressing complex workplace issues and facilitating resolutions that enhanced compliance and employee engagement. Additionally, I played a key role in the successful implementation of an enterprise HRIS, streamlining HR processes and driving efficiency across the organization. My ability to integrate HR operations with program management expertise consistently delivered measurable improvements in talent development and organizational performance.

Human Resources Manager, Manufacturing, Commercial Sales and Engineering

US Army

I proudly served as an enlisted soldier, non-commissioned officer, and commissioned officer—gaining a 360-degree view of leadership, resilience, and operational excellence in high-stakes environments. Throughout my military career, I led cross-functional operations spanning finance, logistics, procurement, public affairs, supply chain, and organizational design—driving process improvements and mission success across integrated support functions. Recognized as top-performing talent, I was selected for accelerated leadership development and rapidly promoted ahead of my peers. Trusted with high-responsibility roles in dynamic, fast-moving settings, I honed the ability to lead diverse teams, deliver under pressure, and build scalable systems—skills that continue to fuel my success in corporate environments today.

Human Resources Leader, Ordnance, Public Affairs, Finance

As a seasoned Human Resources Executive with over 25 years of experience, I have led transformative initiatives across global diverse industries, including banking, retail, technology, manufacturing, and the military. My dual certification as a Wellness Coach and Nutritionist underscores my dedication to fostering a culture of health and well-being within the workplace.

Throughout my career, I have supported market-leading lines of business, overseeing teams of 25,000+ employees and managing resources that provide specialized lending, investing, and servicing to hundreds of thousands of unique customers globally. I have played a pivotal role in mergers and acquisitions, leveraging data and analytics to synthesize information to create automated and autonomous solutions while empowering teams and building trust. As part of the extended HR leadership team, I worked closely with the Head of HR and led teams of up to 12 direct reports and 60 employees, driving strategic talent initiatives and leadership development. My roles have involved spearheading large-scale transformations to optimize process and organizational models, leverage cutting-edge technology, and enhance the overall employee experience.

I am passionate about driving talent and retention strategies that align with business objectives, contribute to organizational profitability, and empower people and teams to achieve their full potential. My mission is to deliver exceptional results by fostering an environment where employees thrive and businesses excel.

taplio

The Battle

Courtney Hughes-O'Connell, PCC, SHRM-SCP

Ann M Peterson

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