Mel Smith

Background

About Mel Smith

As a seasoned Human Resource professional, I specialize in diagnosing and resolving core challenges that hinder a company’s people investment. I craft strategies that elevate team performance, empower leaders, and drive high-impact results aligned with the company’s culture and pace. My expertise is particularly valuable for organizations navigating M&A, globalization, or preparing their workforce for an AI-driven future. I have held executive HR roles across diverse industries, including R&D with Savvy Sherpa/Optum Labs, biotech/life sciences with DiaMedica, and large-scale organizations such as UnitedHealth Group, ADP, 3M, and Target. My HR Generalist background enables me to adapt seamlessly across broad strategies, always centered on human-focused design. In 2023, I launched a Human Resource consulting firm, offering Fractional CHRO services, strategic initiative retainers, and recruitment solutions. My firm specializes in executive and board-level recruitment, fractional placements, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solutions, supported by a dedicated team in Delhi, India. I am an expert in designing, transforming, and elevating HR functions through tech enablement, data-driven insights, and people strategies. My work has earned multiple industry and company-driven awards. I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, am certified in the full suite of TalentTelligent solutions, and am a certified Talent Strategist and Coach from the Human Capital Institute