Who We Can Help...
Small, growth-oriented companies (10–200 employees) in Southern California — companies that have recently raised funding, are scaling across multiple functions, and are expanding into new markets.
I'm an ideal fit if your team talks about "building from 0 to 1," "scaling culture," "launching," or "growth stage" — and if you value leaders who can shape culture, operate with autonomy, and build what doesn't yet exist.
Deb Is Open To:
- Head of People
- VP of People Operations
- Chief of Staff
- Director of Organizational Development
- Fractional People Leader
- Culture & Talent Lead
Engagement: Full-time, fractional (20–40 hrs./week), or consulting.
Location: Southern California — LA or Orange County preferred; hybrid (1–2 days in office, primarily remote)
Me...I am NOT a Traditional Hire...
Many companies at your stage don't need a narrowly defined HR director or a by-the-book Chief of Staff. You need someone who has built organizations, not just managed them — someone who can sit in the leadership team meeting, see the gaps, and go fill them.
That's what I do.
I bring the strategic mindset of a consultant with the relational depth of someone who has led real teams through real challenges. I can help you build the culture, the systems, and the leadership capacity that will carry your company from where you are to where you're going.
Let's Talk: If you're building something worth building and need a partner who can help you scale it — people, culture, strategy, and operations — I'd love to connect.
What Deb Brings to a Growth-Stage Company
Organizational Development & People Leadership
I've built and led teams from the ground up, developed emerging leaders, and created the people systems and culture foundations that allow organizations to scale without losing their identity. I understand that your most important growth lever is your people — and I know how to develop them.
Strategic Vision & Execution
I've led strategic growth initiatives end-to-end — from articulating vision and gaining buy-in to launching new programs and navigating the inevitable pivots along the way. I communicate vision in a way that motivates teams and aligns stakeholders, even in rapidly changing conditions.
Operations & Fiscal Oversight
I've managed budgets, operations, and cross-functional teams — including both staff and volunteers — giving me a practical understanding of how to scale efficiently without unnecessary overhead.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
I've driven community engagement and retention strategies and raised funds, skills that translate directly into customer success, partnership development, and investor relations in the startup world.
Change Navigation
Growth companies are in a constant state of change. I've led teams through organizational transitions, built change management frameworks, and helped people move from resistance to ownership.
Deb Prieto Organizational Builder | People Leader | Growth Stage Specialist |Southern California | Open to Full-Time & Fractional Roles