WGNinHR Recruits VP of People for LeagueApps
February 24, 2021 – With the coronavirus crisis expected to intensify, human resources executives are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping their organizations navigate what is looking to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Along the way, the importance of people strategy is expanding, and that is keeping executive search consultants who specialize in finding talent across the sector busier than ever.
WGNinHR Consulting recently placed Joanne Murray as the new vice president of people at LeagueApps. Joanne Rencher, founder and principal at WGNinHR, led the assignment. Ms. Murray is an experienced leader who spent the first two decades of her career at IBM holding a range of roles beginning in software engineering and transitioning to HR leadership roles in software, services, technology, and financing. Most recently, she built and led people/HR teams for two start-ups – one management consulting and another financial services. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science both from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
In her new role with LeagueApps, Ms. Murray is responsible for developing and executing innovative, data-driven processes from talent acquisition, workforce planning, learning and development, and engagement to compliance.
In addition, as vice president of people Ms. Murray will play a critical partnership role in the company’s growth stages and beyond. She will:
- Link the business strategy to a newly developed people strategy and ultimate employee experience.
- Provide hands-on expertise across the full scope of the people function.
- Serve as a business partner to the CEO, president, leadership team and entire staff.
- Leading key initiatives in organizational development, talent acquisition, culture and talent development.
- Skillfully navigate the challenges of growth stage companies.
- Serve as the “head coach” and mentor for a small team, leveraging their expertise.
- Optimize talent across all company teams.
“The vice president of people is part head coach for the people team, part business partner, and part architect of best-in-class people strategies,” said Ms. Rencher.
Based in New York City, LeagueApps is the operating system and community for youth and local sports leaders, providing them with the technology and professional network they need to “grow, scale and play for the future.” The platform powers thousands of clubs, tournaments, leagues, camps, and facilities, reaching more than 10 million participants across the country. Key investors include former NBA players David Robinson and Shane Battier, Major League Baseball and other notables across the business world.
Veteran Talent Management Executive
WGNinHR, founded in 2005, is located in New York and focuses on offering consulting services in a number of areas of expertise, including board/CEO advisory, executive coaching, talent acquisition redesigns, executive search, succession planning, change management, compensation programs and outplacement.
With a 25-year career history, Ms. Rencher is a results-driven business and talent executive. She works with clients across all industries to provide HR and general business consultation. Ms. Rencher has worked at the C-level for major conglomerates, iconic global and domestic nonprofits as well as social entrepreneurs. She has broad and deep expertise across all human resource practice areas. Before launching WGNinHR Consulting, Ms. Rencher was chief people officer of the national office of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
