LET’S WORK together.
Every engagement starts with a conversation about where the business is experiencing friction. From there, I propose a scope, an operational cadence, and a clear definition of done. No retainer theater.
The first conversation is about your business, not my résumé. Tell me where execution is stalling, and I will tell you what I would look at first and which engagement model fits best.
FRACTIONAL & interim
Embedded executive leadership during critical inflection points: building zero-to-one People functions, executing executive retention strategies, or stabilizing organizational structure while a permanent C-suite search is underway.
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In-house executive ownership centered on People and operational leadership. I build and scale the talent infrastructure, leadership frameworks, and workforce operations for companies navigating hyper-growth, public listings, or major organizational transitions.
Targeted strategic counsel, board and advisory seats, and project-based consulting for founders, CEOs, and investors. I advise on organizational design, compensation strategy, and executive alignment, solving complex People and operational bottlenecks without full-time placement.
OPEN TO BOARD and ADVISORY ROLES WHERE PEOPLE, ORGANIZATION, and OPERATING DISCIPLINE DECIDE THE OUTCOME
Six times a year, I ran the machinery behind the board: built the dashboard and the agenda, kept the minutes, sent the board pack, and drove the follow-through. I also built the equity policy and led a Chairman-to-CEO succession.
What a board gets from meA view from the operating side.
People and organizational judgment
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A clear view on CEO succession, executive compensation, and talent risk, informed by leading a Chairman-to-CEO succession and building compensation architecture and an equity policy from scratch.
Scaling and transaction experience
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Operating judgment on scaling, M&A integration, and readiness for an IPO or diligence, from taking MindMed public and integrating an acquisition.
Board operations
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At MindMed I ran the board meeting process, six times a year: built the dashboard and the agenda, kept the minutes, distributed the board pack, and drove follow-through after each meeting.
Three ways I can help before a seat is on the table.
People and organization diligence
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An outside read on a leadership team, management structure, compensation, and People risk ahead of a deal or investment.
A 100-day operating plan
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For a new CEO or a portfolio company: what to stabilize, what to build, and in what order.
Board dashboard and meeting rhythm
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A dashboard, agenda, board pack, and follow-up system, so the board gets what it needs and meetings turn into decisions.
Fractional People & Operational Leadership mandates, Board & Advisory seats, scale-up transformations, operations/people audit, HR Tech Stack Modernization & Cost Audit, Executive Cadence & Operating Rhythm.
Embedded C-suite leadership during major inflection points: executive transitions, rapid 5 to 500 scaling, or crisis and stabilization periods. You own the operating rhythm, board communication, budget allocations ($40M+ scope), and workforce strategy.
Ongoing advisory for CEOs, Founders, and Boards on organizational architecture, compensation committee governance, executive succession planning, and post-merger integrations.
Building SEC-compliant workforce frameworks, authoring 150+ operational SOPs, establishing internal controls, and preparing corporate governance for public market listings (NASDAQ/NYSE).
Designing incentive structures, bandings, executive equity models, and global compensation philosophies that attract top-tier talent while maintaining financial discipline.
Auditing complex tech stacks, cutting tool redundancy, and leading PEO, HRIS, and payroll migrations, with workflow automation and measurable savings.
Designing company-wide OKR frameworks, quarterly executive review cycles, and cross-functional alignment systems to turn strategy into measurable operational execution.
Rachann McKnight is an executive strategist centering People infrastructure and operational systems to help venture-backed companies scale predictably.