People • Technology • Strategy | Pittsburgh
I'm Astral. Part people person, part technologist, always curious. I bring experience across HR, technology, and business strategy to help organizations navigate challenges, recognize opportunities, and turn ideas into meaningful progress.
My story
I didn't follow a single path. I followed what I was curious about, and kept finding that the most interesting problems sit where different worlds meet. These are four of the places I've learned to work, and what each one taught me.
In my experience, technology works best when it fits how work really gets done. I've learned to start by understanding the work itself, then look for the right tool.
Learned inHR systems across several operating companies, an Agile delivery team, and digital projects built directly with clients.
An idea is only the beginning. What interests me is figuring out what it takes to make it work, bringing the right people together, navigating obstacles, and seeing it through.
Learned inA multi-site early-career program, Agile delivery, and project work across operating companies.
What I've noticed is that change goes better when people can see where they fit. I care about making it make sense to the people living through it, so they feel brought along instead of left to catch up.
Learned inAn acquisition and a divestiture, leadership development, and coaching people into their next role.
Building relationships has always come naturally to me. I meet people where they are, taking a genuine interest in understanding their perspectives. When situations become more complex, I'm intentional about how I approach them, considering the people involved, their priorities, and what it will take to find common ground.
Learned inA highly regulated, matrixed business, working across Product, Operations, Technology, Legal, and Risk, and alongside senior leaders.
What connects them isn't a job or a skill. It's a habit of looking at the same problem from more than one side and connecting ideas that might otherwise stay separate.
My approach
I believe the best solutions start with understanding. I listen, ask questions, and connect the dots, whether that means uncovering an opportunity or helping people navigate a challenge they already know exists.
The real question is rarely the first one asked. I slow down, ask a second question, and then act.
Most of my best results came without formal authority, by earning trust with leaders and managers.
A chart is a starting point. I help leaders turn it into a decision they can defend.
Helping others succeed is what motivates me, and it shows in how I coach, mentor, and plan.
Every side of me
Tap a trait to see where it shows up. Pick as many as you like.
Working alongside Managing Directors in a global organization of about 7,500 employees, I helped leaders choose bench candidates and decide who to promote, then built development plans for high-potential talent.
One promotion came straight out of a bench review.
I listen for what people are really saying.
When our Peakon engagement results came in, I partnered with leaders on action planning and built feedback cadences and recognition programs around what employees told us. Engagement scores rose about 15% year over year.
Coaching managers and high-potential employees on executive presence, career progression, and stakeholder influence supported about 10 promotions over two years, including 2 moves into people management.
I led a multi-site early-career program where diverse intern representation grew 280% in the first year and 84% of interns converted to full-time.
In a later role I owned the full experience for 12 HR interns, from team placement to the showcase. Ten Pittsburgh interns were offered full-time roles and nine accepted.
I've spent years in technology and delivery, supporting business applications and process improvement across multiple operating companies and working as a Scrum Master on an Agile Release Team in IT.
Today I work fluently in Workday, Peakon, Power BI, Tableau, Microsoft Copilot, and enterprise AI tools.
I led the people side of an acquisition of about 100 employees and a divestiture of about 50.
That meant policy harmonization, change communication, and workforce planning, side by side with Legal and HR Operations.
Attrition, engagement, and performance trends mean little until a leader knows what to do with them.
I bring Workday, Power BI, and Peakon reporting into the conversation and leave with a next step.
My curiosity extends beyond traditional roles. Through Eleven 11 Studio, I've designed and launched websites, developed digital experiences, and worked directly with clients to bring ideas to life.
I use AI-powered development tools to build websites, applications, and digital experiences. I learn fastest by making something, and I bring that curiosity to every project.
Where I make an impact
I'm drawn to opportunities where people, strategy, technology, and execution intersect. My career has given me the ability to move between disciplines, connect the dots, and bring a fresh perspective to complex business challenges.
Helping leaders make informed people decisions that strengthen organizational performance, address workforce challenges, and align talent priorities with business goals.
Bridging business needs and technology to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and turn data and digital tools into practical solutions.
Bringing structure to complex initiatives, aligning stakeholders, removing obstacles, and turning strategic priorities into measurable progress.
Guiding organizations through change by connecting people, processes, and business priorities, minimizing disruption while helping teams adapt and move forward.
Building stronger talent pipelines, identifying future leaders, and creating development opportunities that improve retention, support succession, and prepare organizations for what's next.
Building trusted partnerships across functions, navigating competing priorities, and resolving complex challenges to strengthen collaboration and deliver business results.
“She strengthened my organization and made me a better leader.”
“What truly sets Astral apart is her creativity.”
If something here made you curious, I'd enjoy hearing what you're working on. The best conversations usually start with a question.