Darryl K. Henderson, J.D.
CHRO | Chief People Officer | Legal Acumen (JD) | AI & Workforce Intelligence | “People-First, Business-Smart” | Global Scale
About
I am a business executive who specializes in "People." I transform human capital into a strategic asset by converting the value of work into organizational productivity and growth. Using a “People-First, Business-Smart” approach, I drive both investor value and employee engagement.
What differentiates my leadership is that I don’t just "do HR"—I speak the language of business operations. My perspective is shaped by diverse roles:
• Commercial & Employment Lawyer (J.D.)
• Startup COO & Interim CEO
• Business Management Consultant
• Executive Coach & Business Author
My career spans Biotech, Healthcare, Legal Cannabis, Financial Services, Tech, Manufacturing, CPG, and Retail—across North America, Europe, and Asia.
1. Strategic Value & Frameworks
I transition human capital from tactical/reactive to strategic/scalable. My AI-injected HR Strategies Framework (will share with recruiters) is built upon:
1. Aligning with business goals
2. Data-driven analysis
3. Targeted policies
4. Clear communication
5. KPI monitoring
2. PE-Backed Infrastructure Building
As a "player-coach," I build value-add HR infrastructures from the ground up.
• The Consiglieri: I bridge the gap between people and performance as a trusted partner to the C-suite.
• Proven Impact: At a PE-backed MSO, I rebuilt the HR infrastructure, cut talent acquisition costs by 42%, and maintained an efficiency ratio (1.78 per 100) that outperformed SHRM standards.
3. M&A Integration & High Growth
I use a proprietary M&A HR Framework to harmonize disparate organizations into high-performance platforms.
• Banking: Led M&A for 4 regional mergers within a Fortune 200 bank.
• Healthcare & Retail: Managed integrations for high-growth, multi-site dispensaries and retail acquisitions ($48M to $220M).
4. Talent & Risk Mitigation
• Talent Pipelines: I prioritize development over documentation, treating talent as an enterprise asset rather than a siloed resource.
• Compliance & Risk: My J.D. background provides elite compliance & risk mitigation. I have successfully managed Teamsters CBAs and preserved union-free status in retail and production units through proactive employee engagement.
5. Philosophy
Culture is the bedrock of success. I embed core values into a company’s DNA—from the job application stage to respectful offboarding. Motto: "Taking care of people while doing what's right for the business."
6. Personal
As a USATF Masters Sprinter (60m/100m), I bring that same focus on precision and speed to my professional life. Seeking my next "company home" as a #1 or #2 HR Leader.
Let’s connect.
Experience
Fractional CHRO | Strategic People Operations & Workforce Intelligence Consultant
HUB Capital Group LLC (a holding company for HUB Corporation) · Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Jan 2025 – Present(1 yr 4 mos)
I partner with mid-market, VC/PE-backed, and high-growth firms to transform HR from a cost center into a strategic profit driver. I provide executive-level HR leadership across five core pillars: • Strategic Scaling & M&A: Architect HR strategies for mid-market and VC/PE-backed firms, aligning people operations with P&L to transform HR into a profit driver and ensure M&A integration readiness. • Organizational Design: Build high-impact structures and competitive compensation frameworks that balance elite talent acquisition with strict fiscal discipline. • Workforce Intelligence & AI: Leverage AI-driven analytics and HR dashboards to optimize executive decision-making and measure culture through data-driven engagement strategies. • Talent Lifecycle Optimization: Direct full-cycle talent management, successfully compressing recruitment and hiring cycles from 6 months to a 90-day "Time to First Value" target with 0% initial turnover. • Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Navigate complex employment and labor laws, including recent POTUS Executive Orders (DEI/Discrimination), to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate high-level organizational risk.
Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
YMCA of the USA (National Resource Office) · Chicago, Illinois, United States
Sep 2024 – Dec 2024(4 mos)
Collaborated with President & CEO to optimize HR strategy and policies, and tactics to enhance the organizational culture. Rolled out Remote Work Policy and Protocols, created onboarding and offboarding SOPs to address board of director risk concerns, and designed a new Compensation Model. Managed 3 direct reports, $3M budget, and served 350+ employees.
Senior Executive Human Resources
Independent Management Consulting · Dallas, Texas, United States
May 2023 – Sep 2024(1 yr 5 mos)
Delivered HR and business consulting services to Fortune 100 companies as well as small and medium-sized business, including PE-backed firms, focused on executive coaching, HR generalist services, employee engagement, DEI, employment, and labor law compliance, and integrating people and business strategies.
Senior Vice President, Head of Human Resources
TILT Holdings · Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Apr 2021 – May 2023(2 yrs 2 mos)
Joined a $221M PE-backed multi-state operator within the U.S. legal cannabis industry to restructure HR operations, improve talent acquisition and management, refine organizational culture, and develop a new compensation model for staff, executives, and the board. Reported to President and CEO with team of 8, $4M budget, and served 400+ employees.
President
Keith Consulting Group (KCG) · Charlotte, NC and Miami, FL
Oct 2014 – Apr 2021(6 yrs 7 mos)
Delivered business advisory and project management consulting, including operations management services for a VC-backed start-up, and executive coaching services for corporate, government, and non-profit clients. Worked in the US, UK, Ireland, and Italy.
Executive Coach
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mar 2013 – May 2020(7 yrs 3 mos)
Coached teams of international 2nd-year MBAs to strengthen leadership, management, and teamwork skills using business simulations
Managing Director
Henry Consulting LLC · New Orleans, Louisiana
Sep 2005 – Sep 2014(9 yrs 1 mo)
Leveraged prior Fortune 100 experience (highlighted below under the 5 other organizations) to deliver strategic, operational, and project management consulting. Co-led strategic planning and operational oversight to grow consulting and PE-backed venture businesses from $100K to $45M in revenue. Oversaw $148M in DBE contracts for government clients with matrixed team of 60+ employees and contractors. SEE 5 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BELOW: LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC., Mooresville, NC, 1999 – 2005 Chief Diversity Officer and Employment Compliance Officer | Vice President Human Resources Business Solutions | Vice President Corporate Human Resources & Fairness Programs | Director, Fairness Programs. Reported to CHRO. MCGUINESS, NORRIS & WILLIAMS, Washington, D.C., Jan. 1999 to Dec. 1999 Senior Associate Attorney, Employment & Labor Law. FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, Charlotte, NC, 1996 – 1999 Team Leader HR M&A Initiatives | Senior Employee Relations Consultant. MONSANTO COMPANY, Saint Louis, MO, 1989 – 1996 Manager, Diversity, Equal Opportunity Affairs & Staffing. FINE, WALTZER & BAGNERIS, New Orleans, LA, 1985 – 1989 Staff Attorney, Commercial, Employment, Labor, and Health Law.
Education
University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia
Juris Doctorate, Law
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
Bachelor of Arts, Economics
Expertise
Specialties
