About Us
Aspire Talent was created with a deep mission to help companies create better workplaces where both business and people can thrive.
Company History
Aspire Talent is a boutique HR consultancy founded in 2021 by Michelle Yu, a seasoned HR professional with extensive experience working in Silicon Valley at start-up and growth companies of all sizes. Michelle’s insight in the technology and Venture Capital/Private Equity industry led her to understand the critical link between business performance and people-related strategy, and the damaging effects that can occur when they are not aligned.
Your Partners in HR Success
Michelle Yu is a highly experienced professional with expertise in HR operations, consulting, coaching, and building businesses in fast-paced, high-growth environments. As the former Head of HR Operations at SoftBank Group, she played a key role in establishing the HR centers of excellence (COE) model, scaling the conglomerate internationally, and building infrastructure to support a global workforce of 300+ employees.
With her MBA from Duke University Fuqua School of Business and her Bachelors in International Studies from UC Irvine, Michelle possesses a strong strategic background that complements her hands-on practical experience. Her builder's mindset, flexibility, and experience in operating in unstructured and vague environments allow her to navigate challenging situations and drive organizations towards structure and sustainability.
Apart from running her own consultancy, Aspire Talent, Michelle is a career coach, writer, activist, and thought leader. She hosts the Find Your Path Podcast, which provides insights, tips, and guidance for professionals seeking to achieve their career goals.
Sarah Hutcheson is a highly skilled Business Operations Manager with extensive experience in customer service and business relations. With her background in well-established companies such as Fruit of the Loom and small influencer commerce, Inked Brands, she has gained a wealth of experience in communicating with customers through various mediums, including phone, email, and live chat.
Sarah has a strong passion for helping and serving those around her, and this is reflected in her work at Aspire Talent. Her focus is to provide excellent customer service and build strong relationships with clients to help the company establish itself as a leading boutique HR consultancy in the industry.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, creating new recipes in the kitchen, and hanging out with friends.
Kenady Story holds a degree in Human Resource Management and has worked in the banking and mortgage industry in the past. Prior to her experience as an HR Assistant, she managed high volume cases as a Loan Assistant and Closing Coordinator, which has taught her the importance of organization, speed and efficiency, and attention to detail.
She specializes in supporting a variety of HR projects including benefits, onboarding, and other ad hoc HR projects. She is committed to helping your organization navigate any HR challenges that come your way.
She’s a mother to a vibrant 6-month-old, Georgia, and in her free time enjoys spending time with friends and family, weight lifting, and baking.
Our Values
Here are our organizational values and how we approach our client work:
Modern
We prioritize staying up-to-date on the latest HR trends and industry developments, to avoid an antiquated HR approach. We pride ourselves on keeping a pulse on the ground and being actively plugged into our work with a hands-on approach.
Growth
We are growth oriented and obsessed with continual improvement. In whatever we do, we strive for progress, not perfection, and believe it’s important to iterate over and over again.
Innovative
We recognize that in today's fast-paced marketplace, businesses need agility and efficiency to succeed, which is why we approach our work with a tech-minded, entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to discover innovative solutions to help our clients achieve their business and HR goals.
Client-Centric
We prioritize staying up-to-date on the latest HR trends and industry developments, to avoid an antiquated HR approach. We pride ourselves on keeping a pulse on the ground and being actively plugged into our work with a hands-on approach.
Organizations Impacted
Working with individuals, teams and organizations across the following
Industries We Serve
At Aspire Talent, we provide our services to a diverse range of industries, including technology, financial services, professional services and biotech. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of each industry, ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of service and support. Whether you are a startup or a growing business, we have the expertise and resources to help you achieve your HR and people-related goals. Let us help you build a better workplace and drive growth in your industry.
Technology
Aspire Talent has experience working with technology companies of all sizes, from start-ups to established corporations. We understand the differing level of resources and scrappiness an organization may have, and help craft an approach that scales and is appropriate to where your organization is currently at.
Financial Services
Aspire Talent has worked with financial services organizations to build, set up and maintain their HR functions. We understand the complexities and rigor of the financial services industry, the additional layers of diligence and regulatory consideration required when rolling out programs and policies.
Early Stage Organizations
We understand early stage organizations may not have the budget, time, nor experience to learn the full range of HR and People Operations. We can help keep things simple, compliant and efficient by helping build your HR function from scratch so that your organization is sustainable for the long run.
Legal and Professional Services
Aspire Talent has experience working with law firms, consulting firms, and other professional services organizations. We can help you find the right talent to manage your client relationships, deliver high-quality services, and drive growth.