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

Geo Energy Resources

I lead the direction and entire scope of the HR Department within the company, including five divisional offices and corporate headquarters with 13,900 employees.  We span 7 countries, including the USA.

I develop, audit, amend, and maintain all corporate HR/EEO/diversity policies and procedures, as well as develop corporate exempt and non-exempt employee handbooks, executive and hourly training programs, and developmental curriculum. 

I create all HR/EEO reporting at all levels, such as governmental, corporate, and state. I also negotiate on behalf of the corporation with entities in legal HR issues, collective bargaining agreements, corporate benefits packages, retirement plans, and payroll issues. 

In addition, I oversee payroll, benefits, training, and employee communications departments as part of the overall HR initiative. Finally, I operated as the head of the corporate negotiating committee.

Highlights include:

•	Ensuring adherence to all mandatory governmental labor laws and corporate policies, as well as leveraging during contract (CBA) negotiations and employee relations between non-union and unionized parties being conducive to productivity.
•	Maintaining company-wide staffing goals and percentages as directed by the CEO and Board of Directors.
•	Maintaining lower than average cost per hire ratio as per company guidelines as a result of training, development, and retention of qualified employees through recruitment and employment advertising efforts.
•	Partnering with new Division President in China and directed all HR aspects to design and build start-up organization in Shanghai for al operating divisions to leverage, resulting in over $100M materials sourced from China and 14% CAGR of “localized” China sales within six years.

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

Axis HR Solutions LLC

Chief Operating Officer and Partner

OneGuide

Providing HR consulting services through OneGuide, a specialized platform that connects high-growth companies with seasoned functional advisors.

Advisor

Refrigerated Express

Directed and led the entire scope of HR and Organizational Development departments within the company, which included five regional terminals and corporate headquarters with 1,200 employees. 

Held the following roles:

SR. DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCE/LABOR RELATIONS, 2003 to 2006
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, 2000 to 2003
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, 1998 to 2000
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, 1996 to 1998

I developed, audited, amended, and maintained all corporate HR/EEO/diversity policies and procedures, as well as developed corporate exempt and non-exempt employee handbooks, executive, and hourly training programs as developmental curriculum. 

I represented the corporation in reference to all legal HR issues, as well as reported directly to President/CEO and served on the Executive Management Board. I also handled all corporate legal, unemployment, and EEO/ADA/FLSA/FMLA compliance cases. 

In addition, I developed corporate job descriptions for all positions within the confines of the organization. Finally, I led the successful search for a new Board Director under the direction of the Governance Committee Chair and CEO.

Highlights included:

•	Ensuring adherence to all corporate policies, mandatory governmental labor laws, and laws that pertained to states within the scope of corporation’s locations.
•	Shaping the evaluation of Board composition and succession planning by introducing ideas to the Board Governance Committee and CEO that aligned with the company’s long-range vision.

Sr. Director, Human Resources and Labor Relations

US Army

Military Intelligence Officer (35A)

Human Resources M&A Integration Expert -- CHRO/COO/Partner, Axis HR Solutions LLC -- CHRO Geo Energy Resources

I am an executive-level HR leader with a focus in the areas of Performance Management, Employee Relations, Labor Law/Labor Relations, Training and Development, Organizational Change Management, Policy Development and Governance, Recruitment and Talent Management, Benefits Management, Strategic Initiatives, and Start-up Companies. 

I possess hands-on management experience and the proven ability to cultivate strategic business partnerships, as well as build strong talent pools and top-tier performance cultures. I am an organized and dependable HR leader and change agent, a collaborative team player, and a creative problem solver.

taplio

The Battle

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

Michael N.

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