CHROs2Go · 2GO Advisory Group
Donna Hamlin, Ph.D. — Fractional CHRO, Governance and Leadership Advisor
CHRO Division Lead Partner, CHROs2Go at 2GO Advisory Group
Fractional CHRO Interim HR Succession Planning Organizational Design
Donna Hamlin, Ph.D., is the CHRO Division Lead Partner at 2GO Advisory Group, advising CEOs, boards and leadership teams at startups, nonprofits, family-owned and public companies. With more than 40 years of executive and consulting experience, she helps organizations build HR infrastructure, navigate executive transitions and succession, and create high-performing cultures — on a fractional, interim, project, advisory or board basis.
San Francisco Bay Area · Nationwide U.S. · International experience in 50+ countries
Why companies engage Donna
Strategic HR insight, grounded in governance and four decades of practice
Donna began her career at General Electric’s corporate headquarters in HR and Strategy. A two-year forecasting study she led there earned GE recognition and moved her into consulting and advisory work, where she has spent four decades since.
She went on to found hhBoardwise, Ltd., which provides governance work for companies around the world. That combination — people strategy and board governance — lets Donna align leaders and boards, not just HR functions, around how an organization grows.
40+ years of executive and consulting experience
50+ countries served through consulting and governance work
Ph.D. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Clients engage her to deliver strategic HR insight that contributes to organizational impact and value — and to bring an independent, specialist perspective their internal team may not have.
People strategy aligned with growth
Build the organization the next stage requires.
Donna helps leaders and boards connect HR decisions to strategy — from infrastructure and culture to succession and transactions.
Building HR infrastructure for growth
Managing change and workforce transformation
Executive transitions and succession planning
M&A due diligence and integration
Compensation structures and equity plans
Aligning leaders and boards
Building healthy cultures and employee engagement
Services
How Donna Helps
01 — Lead HR on a fractional or interim basis
Fractional CHRO and interim HR leadership that delivers strategic insight without a full-time executive hire.
02 — Plan executive transitions and succession
Change management, executive transitions and succession planning that keep leadership continuity intact.
03 — Design the organization for growth
Organizational design and workforce planning, including people strategy aligned with the company’s growth plan.
04 — Develop leaders
Executive coaching, leadership and professional development for executives and high-potential teams.
05 — Assess HR and stay compliant
HR assessments and compliance reviews, plus HR due diligence and integration support during M&A.
06 — Facilitate strategy and structure pay
Independent facilitation of team and strategic-planning sessions, and design of compensation, benefits and equity plans.
Best-fit engagements
When to Engage Donna
Organizations typically bring Donna in when:
An executive is leaving or a succession plan needs to be built.
The company is growing faster than its HR infrastructure.
A merger or acquisition needs HR due diligence or integration.
Leaders and the board need to align on strategy or governance.
An independent facilitator is needed for strategic planning.
Compensation structures or equity plans need redesign.
Culture or employee engagement is holding performance back.
The task requires a specialist the HR staff doesn’t have.
Where she works
Industries and Operating Context
Colleges & Institutes Legal Agriculture Non-Profit Early-Stage Startups Manufacturing Technology Medical & Therapy Equipment Rental State Chambers Banks
Selected experience
Career Path
TodayCHRO Division Lead Partner2GO Advisory Group / CHROs2Go
BoardIndependent Board Director & Board AdvisorSkyMirr, Inc. (independent director) · DailyPay, Inc. (advisor and alum board director)
EarlierFounderhhBoardwise, Ltd. — governance work for companies around the world
EarlierFounderHamlin Harkins, Ltd. — international consulting in strategy, change management and human performance for companies in 54+ countries
EarlierSVP, Strategic Change, Executive Planning & Leadership DevelopmentAssociates First Capital Corporation (Citigroup)
EarlierVP, Human and Organizational PerformanceTexaco, Inc. — performance systems for 27,000 employees
EarlierHR and Strategy, Corporate HeadquartersGeneral Electric
Credentials and Affiliations
Education: Ph.D. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Governance certifications: Global governance — Harvard University · National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
Recognition: Awards from the International Communication Association and General Electric for research in organizational communication
Boards and associations: Member, Women Corporate Directors and Board Prospects · Non-profit boards including Girls Inc., Lead-Women and iAngel
Speaking and publications: Management articles on human performance management · Guest on GoalSpan’s Human Capital podcast
Practice Groups
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Donna Hamlin do at 2GO Advisory Group?
Donna Hamlin, Ph.D., is the CHRO Division Lead Partner at 2GO Advisory Group. She provides fractional CHRO, interim HR and advisory support to startups, nonprofits, family-owned and public companies, focusing on organizational design, succession planning, leadership development, compensation and HR compliance.
When should a company engage a fractional CHRO instead of hiring full time?
When the organization needs senior HR judgment — for growth, an executive transition, an acquisition or a culture reset — but not a permanent executive. A fractional CHRO like Donna brings strategic HR leadership on a flexible basis, and can step in on an interim basis while a permanent hire is made.
Can Donna help with executive transitions and succession planning?
Yes. Donna leads change management, executive transitions and succession planning that keep leadership continuity intact, and coaches executives and high-potential teams through the change.
Does Donna work with boards?
Yes. Donna leads 2GO’s Board Governance practice and founded hhBoardwise, Ltd., which provides governance work for companies around the world. She is certified in global governance by Harvard University and the National Association of Corporate Directors, and serves as an independent board director.
What industries does Donna have experience in?
Her clients span colleges and institutes, legal, agriculture, non-profit, early-stage startups, manufacturing, technology, medical and therapy, equipment rental, state chambers and banks — including startups, nonprofits, family-owned and public companies.
Does Donna work internationally?
Yes. Her corporate career included work in Asia, Europe and North America, and her consulting and governance work has served companies in more than 50 countries.
In Donna’s words
“Much wisdom comes from the wacky side of life. Amid humor often lies the solution.”
— Donna Hamlin, Ph.D.
Talk with Donna
Whether you are planning for growth, a leadership transition or a transaction, start with a conversation about the people strategy your business needs next.
Strengthening Human Performance to Drive Organizational Success
Donna Hamlin, Partner at 2Go Advisory Group, explains how she helps executives improve business results by addressing people performance, leadership, and culture across four key areas—compliance, urgent matters, competency, and performance improvement
Guides
How to Prepare a Nonprofit for Fundraising
Donna contributed board alignment guidance to 2Go Advisory Group's step-by-step guide on preparing a nonprofit for effective fundraising.
Nonprofit Fundraising Readiness
Donna contributed governance expertise to 2Go Advisory Group's guide on the four disciplines of nonprofit fundraising readiness.
Blogs and Articles
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Podcast
GoalSpan Human Capital podcast