What if we designed people processes for...people?

Camelia Valentine, SPHR, MPA, HCS, proudly serves mission-driven, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations. With 16+ years of CHRO/CPO-level experience leading people functions across multi-state education organizations, she has a proven track record of building HR infrastructure from the ground up, including handbooks, policy frameworks, compensation structures, and performance systems, all within organizations navigating growth and transition. Her practice is grounded in equity-centered design, community accountability, and values-aligned HR strategy.

Previously, Camelia served as Vice President of Human Resources & Talent Management at Illustrative Mathematics, a global EdTech nonprofit. There, she built the organization’s first enterprise people and operations function, aligning strategy to support 27% workforce growth while improving engagement and retention. She led organizational design and workforce planning efforts, launched a high-impact performance management framework, and advised executive leadership and the board on culture, risk, and talent strategy. She has also led human capital functions for Uplift Education, TNTP, New Leaders, and a host of start-ups as their fractional CPO.

Camelia’s leadership is anchored in integrity, inclusion, and excellence. She is deeply committed to building organizations where mission, accountability, and people thrive together. Her work consistently integrates strategy, systems, and culture to enable leaders and institutions to navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.

She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, is a Human Capital Strategist (HCS), and holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership & Emotional Intelligence along with AI for HR, People Analytics, and Organizational Development certifications. She brings a rare dual fluency across nonprofit culture and organizational rigor that can support organizations at every stage of growth. She lives in Richmond, VA, with her three children and a mostly trained cockapoo.