lead with COLLECTIVE
Empowering Growth Through People
Lead With Collective helps organizations unlock the potential of their workforce through strategic HR solutions and workforce development strategies that drive sustainable growth and performance. Led by seasoned HR executive and former Chief Human Resources Officer, Julie Mann, we bring hands-on leadership experience and deep industry expertise to co-create HR strategies that do more than align with your goals — they accelerate them.
business first.
people always.
Great businesses aren’t built by chance — they’re built by bold, accountable leaders at every level. At Lead With Collective, we don’t just advise—we embed, activate, and deliver outcomes. Our approach is built on collaboration, tailored strategies, and a focus on measurable results. We ensure your people systems support both immediate needs and long-term goals. We don’t just consult. We co-create. We partner. We lead—together.
lead with
EXECUTIVE THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
- Leadership / Ownership Transition
Develop human capital aspects of business transitions to ensure smooth leadership transfer, business continuity, and long-term success. - Fractional CHRO Leadership
High-level HR expertise for small to mid-sized businesses or startups on a part-time basis. Includes oversight of HR strategy, talent management, organizational development, and employee relations. Ideal for project-based work, growth transitions, or interim support. - Executive Coaching
One-to-one coaching for senior leaders to elevate leadership effectiveness and decision-making. - HR On-Call
Flexible, on-demand HR support for small businesses. Covers compliance, recruitment, employee relations, and more without the cost of a full-time team.
lead with
TALENT
- Sustainable Talent
Build talent pipelines cost-effectively through partnerships with businesses, educators, and government. - Leadership Training
Custom programs to develop high-potential employees into impactful leaders. - Learning & Development
Align employee skill growth with business goals through tailored L&D strategies. - Career Development
Create frameworks for ongoing learning and internal career mobility. - Workforce Planning
Strategically align talent needs with long-term business objectives.
lead with
YOUR WORKFORCE
- Workforce Structure
Redesign organizational structures for efficiency and alignment with strategic goals. - Role Clarity & Job Design
Define job responsibilities clearly to eliminate ambiguity and enhance performance. - Workforce Development
Promote inclusive growth and sustainable career pathways. - Grant Strategy & Management
Help businesses secure and manage grants for workforce development, ensuring compliance and effective use of funds.
we’re not just consultants
As an HR thought leader, guiding businesses through transformative change involves aligning people strategies with organizational goals. In today’s landscape, it is also critical for businesses to harness the power of AI to enhance decision-making, drive efficiency, and unlock the full potential of their workforce.
Whether it’s fractional HR support, leadership pipeline development, talent optimization, or leveraging grants to upskill your workforce, we’re your partner in building the future-ready workforce to meet your business needs.
We’re not just consultants – We’re collaborators in building a future-proof organization that keeps you competitive in today’s dynamic market.
lead with COLLECTIVE services
In today’s fast-changing business environment, innovation in talent and workforce strategies is essential for staying competitive and adaptable. Organizations that embrace new approaches to attracting, developing, and retaining talent are better positioned to respond to market shifts and drive sustainable growth. Innovative talent strategies foster a culture of continuous improvement, empower employees and enables long-term business success.
We partner with evolving companies to build systems and cultures that accelerate performance. Discover our services crafted to align people, culture, and business strategy for lasting success:
organizational design
Building Scalable Structures
We create organizational frameworks that grow with you. From role clarity to decision-making structures, we help you build a business that leads with purpose.
talent strategy
Aligning Talent with Business Goals
Attract. Retain. Grow. We support workforce planning, performance solutions, and development strategies to meet today’s needs and prepare for tomorrows.
leadership development
Cultivating Strong Leadership
We coach leaders, design and deliver custom training, and build leadership pipelines to turn potential into performance.
culture & change enablement
Building a Culture That Scales
Your culture is your edge. We help shape and strengthen it through growth and transformation, making it a true driver of performance.
fractional people leadership
Building Scalable Structures
Get strategic HR leadership without adding full-time headcount. Our fractional CHRO services offer embedded leadership to guide strategy, improve HR operations and services, mentor and develop HR staff, and lead change.
10 foundations of lead with COLLECTIVE
start with people
They Are the Strategy
Your workforce isn’t just part of your business plan — they are the business plan. Every decision begins with understanding and empowering your people.
leaders are built
Not Born
Leaders aren’t born; they’re developed through intentional support, experience, and coaching. We create programs that grow leadership from the inside out.
great talent
Doesn’t Run on Autopilot
Great talent needs intentional development. We put purpose behind your people development strategy to ensure performance and retention.
when strategy meets leadership
Growth Follows
When people strategy and business strategy come together, growth doesn’t just happen — it accelerates. That’s the power of alignment.
change doesn't slow us down
It Fuels Us
Change isn’t something to manage — it’s something to leverage. We use times of transformation to strengthen culture, build trust, and drive innovation.
leadership isn't a title
It’s a Team Sport
True leadership is collaborative. We foster cultures where leadership lives at every level — not just at the top.
people don't just power your business
They Are Your Business
It’s simple: your people don’t just support your operations — they are your operations. Invest in them, and you invest in everything.
real leaders aren't found
They’re Forged
We help shape resilient, self-aware, and adaptive leaders who rise to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s unknowns.
your people strategy
Is Your Growth Strategy
Business growth doesn’t just come from smart products or big ideas — it comes from people. The right people, in the right roles, with the right support, makes everything possible.
build leaders
Who Build What’s Next
We don’t just coach for today — we empower your people to lead through change, spark innovation, and create what’s next.
meet lead with COLLECTIVE founder, Julie Mann
CHRO | Strategic Advisor | HR Thought Leader
Julie Mann is a recognized visionary HR executive and strategic advisor with a career spanning global enterprises, high-growth companies, and transformational leadership. As the founder of Lead With Collective LLC, Julie brings unmatched expertise in human capital strategy, mergers and acquisitions, working with boards, and workforce development. Her work empowers organizations to build inclusive, high-performing cultures that thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape. She is passionate about coaching executives and advancing workforce and organization effectiveness.
With over two decades of executive-level experience, Julie most recently served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Neogen Corporation, where she led a sweeping transformation of HR operations across 44 countries. She established Centers of Excellence (COEs) to deliver scalable, high-impact HR solutions, and led the HR due diligence and integration for Neogen’s multibillion-dollar acquisition of 3M’s Food Safety Division—successfully achieving 81% employee conveyance across 32 countries.
Prior to Neogen, Julie served as Director of Talent Acquisition at USF Holland. She revamped the recruitment strategy for a 5,000+ employee workforce, enhancing both quality and efficiency. Her leadership resulted in a 24% reduction in recruiting expenses and a 33% increase in brand reach.
At Herman Miller, as HR Leader for North America, Julie oversaw HR strategy for 11,000 employees. She was instrumental in modernizing workplace policies, advancing talent management, and enhancing HR technology systems to align with a forward-thinking, employee-centered culture.
Julie holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has achieved her SPHR and CCP certifications and is a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership and Dale Carnegie programs. Julie is an active and engaged member of the business community, leveraging her leadership experience to guide initiatives in economic development, workforce advancement, and nonprofits. Her career stands as a testament to her dedication to empowering communities and organizations, driving meaningful change, developing talent, and fostering a collaborative spirit that unites people to achieve common goals.
Earlier at Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America, she served as Vice President of HR, where she guided organizational growth, reduced recruiting costs by 62%, and improved employee satisfaction by 22%. Her leadership in change management and cultural transformation had lasting organizational impact.
Julie is also a recognized board advisor and advocate for inclusive leadership and sustainable talent strategies.
lead with COLLECTIVE what’s your why?
At Lead With Collective, our “why” is simple: collaboration is the catalyst for growth. We believe that aligning people with purpose drives sustainable success.