Krystal Cooper

Fractional Head of People

Digible, Inc · Denver, Colorado, United States

Aug 2025 – Present(9 mos)

Fractional Chief People Officer

Talent to Team

Jul 2025 – Present(10 mos)

Fractional Head of People

Paramount Pressing and Plating

Jan 2025 – Present(1 yr 4 mos)

VP of People Operations

VIZION

Jun 2022 – Present(3 yrs 11 mos)

As the Vice President of People Operations at Vizion, I've been leading our efforts to ensure that every member of our team feels valued, developed and supported as we continue to grow. At Vizion, we automatically push the most complete, standardized, and detailed container tracking events to any software system or spreadsheet so that shippers, freight forwarders, LSPs, and others in the supply chain space can achieve end-to-end visibility into the freight that drives their businesses. We uphold core values of honesty, education, and long-term thinking, fostering an environment where communication, innovation, and high performance are paramount. As part of the executive team, I'm responsible for cultivating a sense of belonging and providing the necessary support for our team's success. This includes overseeing recruitment, nurturing talent development, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity. My focus is on equipping our team with the resources they need to thrive in their roles and contribute to our shared vision of excellence.

Founder : People & Culture Consultant/ Fractional HR

Cooper Human Capital

Jan 2008 – Present(18 yrs 4 mos)

At Cooper Human Capital, we put the human at the heart of your business—because success starts with a strong, empowered team. Companies thrive when People Strategy and Business Strategy are aligned—but without the right leadership in place, growth stalls, teams lose direction, and key initiatives fail to gain traction. That’s where I come in. As a Fractional People Operations Executive, I help startups and mid-sized businesses build what doesn’t exist, optimize what does, and create scalable people strategies that drive operational efficiency, innovation, performance, and profitability—without the overhead of a full-time hire. I’ve spent 20+ years leading People Operations for high-growth companies, from Seed to Series D startups to global brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Martha Stewart. I bring deep expertise in talent acquisition, performance management, leadership development, M&A integrations, and employee engagement, ensuring that teams are aligned, productive, and positioned for long-term success. Whether it’s scaling teams quickly, creating structured performance programs, or reimagining HR processes to drive efficiency, I bridge the gap between strategy and execution—delivering real impact, without the full-time commitment. If your company is scaling, evolving, or in need of strategic people leadership, I’d love to help build, optimize, and align your workforce for success. Let’s connect: CooperHumanCapital@gmail.com

Senior Director of People & Culture

The Reserve Trust Company · Denver, Colorado, United States

Mar 2021 – Jun 2022(1 yr 4 mos)

Named one of the Top 21 Colorado Startups To Watch in 2021 by Built In Colorado! Built People & Culture from the ground up with an exceptional team focused on promoting a culture of Communication, Collaboration, Innovation and Appreciation. Rapid scaled staff from 20 to over 85 in 9 months. We are a Series A start up, collaborating to building a best-in-class payments platform, breaking new ground in B2B payments for domestic and international customers in the $22T global payments market, and we’re just getting started. We are the first fintech trust company with direct Federal Reserve access, completely unconstrained by legacy banking systems. Our unprecedented access to the US payment system enables us to create payment and banking platforms with scale, speed, and cost, unmatched anywhere. Headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO just outside Denver, we are backed by top investors, including QED, Temerity Capital Partners, Wasabi Ventures, Financial Venture Studio & Fenway Summer.

Director of Human Resources

Tellus Core, Inc. · Greater Denver Area

May 2019 – Aug 2020(1 yr 4 mos)

Tellus Core, Inc. is a rapidly growing company in the hemp industry. The company owns and operates several CBD and other hemp extract brands, including distribution-level sales of raw supply and wholesale and distribution-level sales of branded and white label consumer goods. www.cbduniverse.com HR Team of 1 responsible for managing all of People Operations for CBD start-up in high growth mode. As part of Executive Team, I partnering directly with CEO & CFO to structure, build out and brand organization. Here I also had the opportunity to assist with marketing, package design and product development for SPYDER and CBD Universe lines. Accomplishments: • Sourced and negotiated a cost efficient IT support provider; Assisted with new office IT set up and networking; Handled all IT needs for new hires and terminations (hardware, software and network needs) • Rapid scale staffing based on operational and business development needs: grew headcount from 5 to over 65 in 12 months to ensure on time fulfillment of orders • Stepped into Operations Management role to ensure an on time fulfillment of $1M order to largest client • Sourced affordable benefits, offering a no-cost option for employee only coverage and lowered overall benefit costs for all coverage levels by 70% • Implemented Safe Harbor 401k plan with improved company match • Deployed new PEO for 10% overall cost savings to company and more efficient and reliable service • Designed and launched annual performance review process, including manager 360 reviews • Rewrote company handbook and developed SOP’s for corporate office, warehouse operations, production and fulfillment

People Operations Manager

AlixPartners · Greater Denver Area

Nov 2018 – Mar 2019(5 mos)

AlixPartners acquired Zolfo Cooper in November 2018. Partnered with AlixPartners People Operations team to provide quick and seamless acquisition of Zolfo Cooper company assets including all employees, data migration and systems wind-downs.

Head of Human Resources

Zolfo Cooper · Greater Denver Area & New York, NY

Feb 2013 – Oct 2018(5 yrs 9 mos)

Sole HR contact for boutique firm with responsibilities covering all functions including Performance Management, Compensation, Recruitment and On Boarding, Employee Relations, Payroll and Benefits Administration. Accomplishments: Assisted with acquisition process: Managed full wind down of 401k, Payroll, Benefits and the transfer of all employment data. Sourced and implemented payroll & HRIS transition from CompuPay/ BenefitMall to ADP Work Force Now. Improved recruitment process by doubling applicant flow, year over year, through expanded sourcing including industry specific sites as well as campus recruitment, employee referral reward program and networking via online and social media. Developed Peer Resource Program, a mentor-like program designed to provide new hires with a senior level member of staff, with whom they are able to connect with outside of current engagements in an open and direct manner. A Peer Resource assists in retention and shortening the time to competency, while also transferring knowledge about restructuring, bankruptcies and Zolfo Cooper’s business. Revised Employee Handbook. Created new position on staff for Junior Associate to assist with internal talent development and build a pipeline of talent for the Associate pool.

Human Resources

Rent The Runway · Greater New York City Area

May 2012 – Jan 2013(9 mos)

Accomplishments: Built structure and process in start-up environment within HR policy, procedure, payroll and benefits administration as well as revised employee handbooks for both corporate office and warehouse. Developed new hire orientation, processed all new hire forms for payroll & benefits and created/ maintained personnel and benefit files in compliance with company policy and state/ federal laws. • Split time between NY corporate office and NJ warehouse • Administered benefits for new hires as well as managed open enrollment & maternity leave and sourced enhanced benefits offerings for 2013 • Processed semi-monthly & bi-weekly payroll: entered promotions, terminations, status changes, etc. for over 250 employees in NY (corporate) and NJ (warehouse) • Handled year end payroll processing & W2's and implemented new time clock and payroll system for warehouse which improved productivity reporting • Responded to employee relation issues: employee concerns, performance issues and employee/ manager counseling • Partner closely with Finance Department regarding payroll and issuance of employee stock options

HR Business Partner Consultant

Independent HR Consultant · Greater New York City Area

Apr 2012 – May 2012(2 mos)

Clients include: Maidenform, Pivotal Search and Rent The Runway

Senior Staffing Manager

Aerosoles · Edison, NJ

Sep 2011 – Mar 2012(7 mos)

Accomplishments: Tasked with assessing recruitment and retention issues in the field organization to mitigate history of high turnover. • Developed a process for managing applicant flow and receiving timely feedback from the field management. • Established metrics to evaluate recruiting process: time to fill, retention & turnover, employee referrals and candidate submission trackers. • Identified talent for new store openings through social media, job boards, on the ground networking and career events • Trained field management on interviewing and recruitment/selection • Developed and coached Junior Recruiter

Staffing Manager

Tommy Hilfiger · Greater New York City Area

Jul 2010 – Sep 2011(1 yr 3 mos)

Accomplishments: Strategically planned and implemented traditional/ nontraditional cost effective recruitment strategies to support various business units. Project managed iCIMS integration with PVH systems (Kenexa). Successfully filled 60+ full time openings and 20+ freelance openings in less than 1 year with an average of 30+ active openings. • Communicated feedback and recommendations to hiring managers regarding staffing, succession planning and performance evaluations • Participated in weekly Retail Executive meetings to review business sales, needs and open positions • Managed Recruitment Coordinator and HR Intern

Corporate HR Manager

Duane Reade · Greater New York City Area

Jul 2009 – Jul 2010(1 yr 1 mo)

Accomplishments: Developed online presence for recruitment through integration of corporate LinkedIn account & partnership with Indeed.com, revised corporate and pharmacy interview guides, created enriched exit interview process and developed orientation and onboarding process for new hires. Lead charge in management and development of ATS, designed org. charts and audited job descriptions corporate wide. • Partnered with corporate executives to provide employee counseling and supervisor coaching • Conducted internal investigations in response to exit interviews, employee concerns, disciplinary and performance related issues • Partnered with executive and line management to execute annual performance reviews, succession planning, update company org. charts and job descriptions • Participated in Train the Trainer to assist with training for corporate and store employees • Created an internal talent development process with individual development plans targeting specific competency training • Developed and managed applicant tracking system- ADP Virtual Edge

Human Resources Manager- Consultant

Susan Magrino Agency · Greater New York City Area

Jul 2009 – Nov 2009(5 mos)

Accomplishments: Sole HR contact for a 30 person luxury PR agency. Developed maternity leave policy, managed employee relations, talent development, performance reviews and partnered with the President, CEO and SVP on staffing plans. • Benefits management: processing maternity leave contracts, COBRA applications, LTD and unemployment claims. • Ensure agency compliance with applicable federal and local employment laws. • Managing recruitment, talent management and terminations. • Updating and maintaining SMA Employee handbook. • Year end staff performance reviews • Implement staff workshops as related to PR and personal branding.

Talent Acquisition Consultant

Maidenform · Iselin, NJ

Jul 2009 – Oct 2009(4 mos)

Accomplishments: Partnered with SVP Merchandising, Design & Development to source high end intimate apparel designers and merchandisers. • Work directly with SVP of Design/ Merchandising/ Product Development in sourcing and interviewing candidates for current openings and future positions.

Corporate Recruiter- Consultant

Liz Claiborne · Greater New York City Area

Mar 2009 – Jul 2009(5 mos)

Accomplishments: First experience with Fashion Retail. Successfully filled 5 open positions in 4 months time and placed additional 3 open positions into final stages of candidate selection- those candidates were also hired. Spearheaded recruitment and program development for summer internship program. • Manage on boarding process for all full time, part time and temporary employees across all departments and all levels. • Process all reference checks, background checks and post employment physicals for all new hires and return to work employees. • Analyze compensation offerings for all current job openings to ensure a competitive edge in the market place.

HR Consultant

The Star-Ledger · Newark, NJ

Dec 2008 – Mar 2009(4 mos)

• Manage on boarding process for all full time, part time and temporary employees across all departments and all levels. • Process all reference checks, background checks and post employment physicals for all new hires and return to work employees. • Schedule all interviews and set candidates up with job appropriate program evaluations. • Analyze compensation offerings for all current job openings to ensure a competitive edge in the market place.

NY Human Resources Manager

Bonnier Corporation · Greater New York City Area

Apr 2008 – Oct 2008(7 mos)

Accomplishments: First experience with Publishing. Established network for editorial, sales and marketing recruitment. Grew company awareness in NY marketplace through networking and events. Added LinkedIn as recruitment tool. Average time to fill: 30 days. Built and administered new hire orientation. • Managed the recruitment process for all of the NY office as well as some of the Chicago, Detroit and LA offices. • Worked closely with managers and group publishers to secure quality employees and walk them step by step through the hiring process up to an including New Employee Orientation • Attended networking events, discussion panels and college fairs to continue to incorporate the Bonnier name into the NY publishing world. •Processed employment requisitions in Taleo, prepare and post job openings and enter new applicants into ADP database.

Creative/ IT Recruiter/ Generalist

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia · Greater New York City Area

2007 – 2008(1 yr)

Accomplishments: No prior experience with IT staffing. In less than a year, successfully established a strong IT network for staffing openings and saved company approximately $30K by not using staffing agencies. Responsible for employee relations and staffing for Product Design, Retail Merchandising, Publishing/ Editorial, IT/IS and Culinary departments. • Worked with department managers to assist in defining organizational structure by identifying and filling resource needs and by developing and implementing strategic alliances and programs with an emphasis on talent evaluation, career development, department structure, all aspects of staff performance and retention. • Coordinated annual internship program and attended job fairs and college recruitment programs. • Evaluated and analyzed internal compensation offerings as well as compensation for all new job openings.

Recruiter

The Creative Group · Paramus, NJ

2006 – 2007(1 yr)

* Scheduled, interviewed and maintained contact with over 150 candidates on a weekly basis. * Managed over 200 client’s expectations as well as daily follow up on teammates’ active projects and their client’s needs. * Developed new business within northern New Jersey territory

Recruiter

Michael P. Maloney, Inc. · Greater New York City Area

2006 – 2006(Less than a year)

Executive search firm specializing in the recruitment and placement of professionals for investment banks, securities firms, commercial banks and hedge funds.

Account/ Project Manager

Art Display Co. · College Park, MD

2004 – 2005(1 yr)

Accomplishments: Restored customer relationships by acting as a client liaison between production and design. Contributed to additional sales and referrals. Managed eight key signage projects for new residential condos ($96,000), an office complex ($50,000), retail strip mall ($75,000), a condo/apartment complex renovation ($50,000), and two new condo complex ($275,000).

Account/ Project Manager

Manhattan Signs And Banners · Paterson, NJ

2003 – 2004(1 yr)