Work from Scratch
Hi, I'm Sonita. I'm a startup veteran with a track record of building solid teams, located in Berlin.
Based in Berlin, I specialize in building solid businesses. I bring solutions uniquely tailored for startups and growth-stage companies undergoing transitions, scaling operations, or facing restructuring challenges. With a diverse background spanning Operational Excellence, Strategic HR Management, and Organizational Development, coupled with direct experience leading companies from seed to Series D stages, I am uniquely positioned to guide your organization through its most critical HR and operational transformations.
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After a start as a NASA-subcontract project coordinator, I pivoted to venture development, where I spent 6 years at a pre-seed fund leading early stage founders through the valley of death. During this time, a strategic focus emerged: portfolio companies required solid HR foundations for scaling operations, balancing spend, regulating employee experience and targeted performance. This launched a 10 year career as an HR executive, in US and Europe, where I led HR, primarily reporting to the CEO or a founder.
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I am deeply passionate about crafting HR strategies that not only support stable business growth but also create meaningful employee experiences. My approach is data-driven, empathetic, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization, ensuring that HR practices not only align with business objectives but also foster a culture of innovation and resilience.
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Whether your company is a bootstrapped startup or a unicorn navigating the complexities of scale, I offer the expertise to support your journey towards sustainable growth. I invite you to reach out to discuss how we can partner to achieve your HR objectives and build a foundation for lasting success.
My Services
Regardless of where you are in your personal or company growth journey, I can help you lay the foundations for a sustainable business.
One on one.
Through my firsthand experience as a venture developer and in leadership roles at Seed to Series D, I have cultivated the expertise to spar with leaders facing the challenges of growth and change, while maintaining a human focus. I can help individuals on:
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Managing Growth and Scaling: Navigating the complexities of rapid team and operational expansion, focusing on sustainable growth and effective scaling practices.
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Strategic Decision-Making: Providing insights and tailored advice to help make informed decisions that align with their long-term business goals.
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Enhancing Leadership Skills: Delivering personalized coaching to develop capabilities in effective communication, conflict management, and strategic thinking.
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Aligning HR with Business Strategy: Tailoring HR strategies to support and drive the broader business objectives of their organization.
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Handling Crisis and Change: Offering best practices and strategies for managing organizational changes and crises to ensure continuity and maintain team morale.
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Providing Tailored HR Solutions: Working closely to address specific HR challenges, optimize talent acquisition, and improve employee engagement and retention strategies.
Workshops.
With rich experience and certifications in facilitation (DDI), team coaching (Marshall Goldsmith) and Agility in HR (ICP-AHR), I bring a unique perspective to any leadership or HR team looking to bridge their people practices with larger business goals. Here is where I can support:
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Culture Operationalization: Take the guessing game out of culture by defining the operational values and principles governing your org.
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Strategic HR Leadership and Transformation: Guide senior leaders on aligning HR strategies with business goals, including organizational design and change management.
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Crisis Management and Ethical Restructuring: Co-create strategies for managing layoffs and reorganizations sensitively and effectively.
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DE&I Initiatives and Cultural Change: Devlop actionable plans to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive and innovative company culture.
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Performance Management Optimization: Analyze and adjust performance review systems to be fair and transparent, clarifying calibration and merit increases, advising on data best practices.
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Leadership Development: Hold interactive sessions on effective leadership techniques, including feedback, coaching, and conflict resolution, tailored to enhance team cohesion and drive.
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Tech Adoption in HR: Plan and structure the effective selection and implementation of HR technologies to streamline operations and improve decision-making through data analytics.
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HR Analytics Mastery: Deep dive on available systems and which HR analytics are accessible to drive strategic decision-making, including how to develop metrics, use analytics for talent management, and optimize HR dashboards.
"What could possibly be more important than who gets hired, developed, promoted, or moved out the door? Business is a game, and as with all games, the team that puts the best people on the field and gets them playing together wins."
Jack Welch, former CEO of GE