Hi!
I’m Jaala.
I help early‑stage startups and small businesses build their first People & Culture function, without the corporate bloat.
Previously, I was Chief People Officer at Thriday (acquired by Tyro), where I built the People & Culture function from scratch for a 100% remote, global team.
Whether you are at 10 people and wondering when and how to formalise processes, or at 30 and starting to feel the cracks in an ad‑hoc approach, I partner with emerging leaders to create HR foundations that actually work for your culture, so you can scale headcount without chaos.
I bring structure where it matters (compliance, fair processes, growth frameworks), and keep things lean and adaptable where it does not.
My sweet spot is working alongside founders and first‑time People leaders who want to do right by their teams, without slowing down momentum.
I am based on the Surf Coast of Victoria and can travel to Melbourne, or work with you remotely.
How I Can Add Value
-
Building your first HR function from scratch, creating people strategies aligned with your growth goals, and establishing compliant but lean processes that won't slow you down.
-
Designing recruitment processes that attract the right talent, creating structured interviews that reduce bias, and building onboarding experiences that get new hires contributing quickly.
-
Implementing performance frameworks that actually drive development, setting up feedback systems people will use, and creating career pathways that retain your best people.
-
Defining and embedding your values in practical ways, designing team rituals and practices that strengthen culture, and measuring what matters for team health.
-
Implementing OKR frameworks that align teams, maintain focus and drive success.
-
Creating remuneration frameworks and job leveling that balance market competitiveness with internal fairness.
-
Item description
What People Are Saying
I’ve had the privilege of working with Jaala since the start of Thriday, when she joined as employee number one. From the beginning, she brought a fantastic attitude, work ethic, and level of care that immediately set her apart, and she has continued to grow into one of the most impactful leaders I’ve worked with.
Jaala built people structures from scratch, introduced thoughtful processes without bureaucracy, and always balanced commercial realities with deep care for our team. She played a critical role in scaling the company, shaping our culture, supporting leaders, and guiding the business through complex periods of change with calmness and integrity.
People trust Jaala, and that trust is well-earned. She is thoughtful, diligent, emotionally intelligent, and deeply committed to the people she supports. Any organisation would be fortunate to work with Jaala.
Michael Nuciforo, Head of Product, Tyro
I had the pleasure of working with Jaala for over 4 years at Thriday, where she served as our Chief People Officer. I've witnessed first-hand how she helped shape our company culture and supported every team member with genuine care and dedication.
Jaala is the rare type who truly embodies what it means to be a "people person." She has remarkable ability to connect with anyone, from new hires finding their feet to leadership navigating complex decisions. Her empathy is a strategic asset that has helped Thriday build a team that's both high-performing and genuinely happy to work together.
Justin Bohlmann, Head of Growth, Thriday
Jaala was CPO at Thriday & when I came on board, I could not believe what an amazing culture there was. The constant initiatives to make our workplace better and our team even more connected. Jaala is fantastic in her communication, care & execution of all things people and culture. I learnt a lot from Jaala and highly recommend her to anyone.
Laura Elkaslassy, Co-Director, Think Big Financial Group
Jaala is genuinely one of the most energising and impactful people I’ve met in my career. Jaala brings a rare blend of strategic P&C expertise, creative problem‑solving, and warmth that lifts every room she’s in.
Whether she’s driving culture initiatives, wowing investors, supporting leaders through complex situations, or stepping in to remove roadblocks for teams, Jaala approaches everything with clarity, empathy, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. Her ability to connect with people across departments, countries, and contexts is unmatched, and she consistently creates an environment where individuals feel supported, recognised, and able to do their best work.
I can’t recommend her highly enough. She’ll be an incredible asset to any organisation or client she partners with next.
Warren More, Head of Technology, Tyro