Circle Strategies
Circle Strategies is the culmination of over 30 years of experience in the Human Resources industry, with a constant drive to help design and mold positive workplace culture. The coalescence of technical expertise and creative solutions resembles the harmony and balance of a circle. This circular mentality, one that brings about change with a focus on people and resources, is how we do things. At Circle Strategies we are people first. Meeting individuals where they are, regardless of where they come from, what they practice, or how much they know, builds a firm foundation for trust and a lasting relationship. Understanding a company’s profile, strategic goals, and workplace culture allow us to begin the work of:
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LOWERING EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY THROUGH compliance;
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BUILDING A STRONG WORKFORCE THROUGH TALENT MANAGEMENT;
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ENSURING A STRONG CULTURE THAT PROVIDES equity, respect and compassion.
Our Team Members
Everyone at Circle Strategies operates from a foundation of togetherness that cements our core mission of creating relationships of trust and loyalty. Many of the greatest discoveries and solutions come from a mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences that are diverse. Our high service is predicated on cultivating an inclusive work environment and client experience. Circle Strategies provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.
Clifford Watkin
FOUNDER & CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
- Phone:617.812.0182
- Email:[email protected]
Laura Watkin
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Pamela Brown
SR. DIRECTOR OF HR
Ece Serezli
HR BUSINESS PARTNER
Andrea Garcés Pineda
HR BUSINESS PARTNER
Ada Watkin
MARKETING ADMINISTRATOR
Catherine Acosta
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
Meet Our Coaches
Cristina Costa
Cristina is an engaging educator who believes in the power of empowering others with the personal and professional skills to succeed. She currently serves as the Head of the Career Program at Outco, Inc, a San Francisco based startup that provides career coaching and technical skill sharpening for job seeking software engineers. She also offers career and life coaching for women of color and diversity and inclusion training through her company, Cristina Costa Coaching. For the past 5 years, Cristina served as Chief Marketing Officer of Women with Purpose, an organization that empowers, educates and advances women of color through professional development seminars, empowerment workshops and networking events.
In addition to these roles, Cristina has over 7 years of professional experience working in the technology sector in a variety of roles from client consulting, digital marketing, customer success, serving as director of student engagement, project manager as well as leading diversity and inclusion initiatives at several startups.
Cristina is a Latina born and raised in Boston and is an outspoken advocate who works towards equity and inclusion for all people of color -- particularly in the technology sector and committed to battling the digital divide.
Michael Fenton
Michael Fenton is a dedicated coach with over 30 years of experience as an HR Executive at three Fortune 500 companies and two nonprofits. He specializes in coaching global executives, team leaders, people managers, entrepreneurs, and career professionals across a wide range of leadership, organizational, and cross-cultural management topics.
With extensive experience consulting and coaching global executives and leaders, Michael has led cross-country/cultural management and talent/DEI strategies. He holds multiple leadership assessment and coaching certifications, including CPC, ACC, MSOB, MBTI, LSP, GCI, and ELI MP, and is a proud member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Michael's consulting and coaching highlights include being recognized as a progressive HR leader known for creativity and practical solutions, with extensive global experience working across multiple business units. He specializes in global executive coaching and change management, leadership development, succession planning, workforce strategy, organization development, DEI, employee engagement, global mobility and culture, and compensation consulting.
Jake Herway
Jake Herway specializes in helping leaders, teams, and organizations wake up inspired and finish fulfilled. With a specific expertise in a Strengths-based approach, Jake focuses on assisting senior leaders in transitioning to new roles or responsibilities while demonstrating measurable business impact.
Jake's objective is clear: to shorten the time to performance, create thriving teams, and cultivate winning cultures that link individual purpose to the collective. He believes in doing what we do best to make a difference in what matters most, ensuring that the more we win, the better the world becomes.
Liz Tracy
Liz Tracy specializes in assisting professionals who feel stuck, overwhelmed by life and work commitments, preventing them from prioritizing their professional advancement. Through career, leadership, and transition coaching, combined with powerful leadership and style assessment tools and frameworks, Liz helps clients become self-aware and shift their patterns to achieve desired results.
Before transitioning into coaching, Liz accumulated many years of experience in corporate America. During this time, she collaborated with senior leaders on strategic projects, led teams, coached team members, and developed compelling onboarding and skill-building programs. Liz firmly believes that individuals experience the most growth when they have both the desire and support to do so. She understands that performance improvement isn't solely about training; it occurs through experience, feedback, and coaching. Liz's approach is focused on helping individuals overcome obstacles and get unstuck.
Kara Lund
A certified coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF), and Certified Positive Intelligence® Coach (CPQC), Kara guides individuals and teams to work and live with the wind at their back. By uncovering at the root level the unhealthy drivers that sabotage productivity and well-being, she helps clients to avoid burnout, and build the tools that lead to more positive thinking patterns and communication habits. The result is a more resilient employee, increased trust and productivity in teams, and a healthier, more empathic organizational culture.
As an accomplished public speaking coach, Kara has a talent for bringing out the best in clients. By capitalizing on their strengths, she empowers them to lead with confidence and credibility. Kara is especially skilled at helping international leaders to communicate and compete effectively in an English speaking world.
Kara has worked extensively throughout the United States, France and in Shanghai with clients from over 20 different countries to develop their personal presence and leadership capabilities to work, compete, and communicate with confidence.
Jamie Resker
Rebecca Fishbein
My diverse background from education to the corporate world has helped me develop a unique perspective on the various aspects of people strategy. I frequently pull on all of the roles I have had to help me make the best business decisions at any given time. With foci in people strategy/human resources, culture change, DEIB, people-related innovation & strategy, and design thinking methodology, I am always seeking to bring insights, ideas, and action to an organization.
I understand that leading with empathy is incredibly important, and also that it doesn't mean the bottom line will suffer. I understand that we can drive business results with effective people decisions. We can be honest and supportive, while challenging our people to be the best they can be. We can both invite productive conflict as a way to ensure innovative ideas are heard and rely on a data-driven approach in decision making.
I have deep experience in leader, manager, and individual contributor development; diversity, equity, and inclusion program design and implementation; and organizational structures. I have balanced strengths in strategy, data analysis, and project management. I lead with empathy, am proud of my strong partnerships with stakeholders, value innovative thinking, and think clear project planning is a must. All of these skills have all played a strong part in my success.
Above all, I am jazzed about making a difference in your organization. Don't hesitate to reach out to find out how!
Russell Herndon
Amir Kahani
At Keyideas, we utilize the unique and powerful '3Win Model,' my proprietary approach designed to equip businesses to thrive in complex environments while upholding integrity. This model ensures that your tech venture gains revenue, excellent branding, and trust in the industry. Its distinct features make it a compelling choice for your business strategy.
I hold an MBA from the University of Manchester and a PhD in Economics from Varna Free University. My educational journey has given me the analytical tools and economic insights necessary to develop innovative strategies aligning business growth with ethical practices.