Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Villa of Hope

Strategic HR Evaluation

When the Villa of Hope experienced the loss of their HR leader, President and CEO, Carolyn Carl, immediately engaged True North Executive Solutions to provide interim leadership coverage to the HR team. This support included a deep dive Strategic HR Evaluation of the HR function at the Villa of Hope. In addition to ensuring compliance, a Strategic HR Evaluation can be a powerful tool in supporting organizations journey to excellence!

These were the results!

✅Prevented additional turnover in the HR team and stabilized the department.
✅ Led the HR team in creating their strategy map in alignment with the organization's strategy goals.
✅ Designed the HR team structure to support organizational strategy.
✅ Completed major HR projects, including a comprehensive agency-wide compensation analysis, preparing for upcoming changes in minimum hourly and salary rates.
✅ Facilitated the successful search, hire, and onboarding of a new HR team leader and Chief Operating Officer.
✅ Saved VOH approximately $25K by eliminating the need for external support in hiring HR and other C-suite leaders.

Batavia Downs (WROTB)

Future Ready Organizational Assessment

During a critical CEO transition, Batavia Downs (WROTB) engaged True North Executive Solutions to complete a Future Ready Organizational Assessment in order to understand the current state of the company, and to bring a fresh perspective of gaps and opportunities.

“An organization shouldn’t feel threatened, they can only benefit from the assessment and help you make changes to be successful…When you can have the success we had with the assessment, why wouldn’t you go with them?” (Dennis Bassett, Board Chair, WROTB)

Carolyn Carl, President and CEO, Villa of Hope

Dennis Bassett, Board Chair Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation

  • Angelica Perez-Delgado, President & CEO, Ibero-American Action League 

    Having had the pleasure of working under Christina Gullo's leadership, I can attest to her exemplary C-suite executive. She is known for her strategic acumen and courageous leadership. With extensive firsthand experience navigating today's ever changing organizational landscapes, Christina possesses a profound understanding of complex challenges and excels in implementing effective solutions and spearheading transformational strategies. Christina's leadership experience is underscored by a history of delivering impressive results and development of other executive leaders.


  • Jennifer Arbore, The Bonadio Group

    Christina is a transformational leader who fostered an environment where all leaders flourished. With a keen understanding of individual strengths and organizational dynamics, I have watched her catalyze growth and drive success at every level.

  • Dr. Sarah Ruback, CEO of St. Christopher's Inc.

    I met Christina at a conference. I was alone and brand new in my CEO role.  Chris immediately took it upon herself to support me both professionally and personally.  She assisted me with sound business, organizational, and technical advice in an efficient and proactive manner.  She can distill complex problems swiftly due her depth of experience, and because she is as caring as she is competent. 

    She coached me with key leadership tools, including introducing me to stoicism. This taught me that we don't control the world around us, only how we respond to what we are given. This helped me to be a more consistent positive, productive leader and person.  I have had several coaches in my development - Chris is the comprehensive best."

  • Keith J. Williams, Managing Partner, Consiliarium Group, LLC

    Michelle has been fantastic to work with! I found some of her strongest qualities are: strategic thinking, expert knowledge of the HR field, leadership in guiding a team and strong & fair negotiation skills. She also conducts business with the highest level of integrity. She will make any environment a better place to work!

  • Louis Guard, VP and General Counsel, Hobart & William Smith Colleges

    “I hired Michelle in an interim HR leadership role initially as we continued our search for the AVP of Human Resources. Michelle quickly became a trusted advisor to senior staff and many other leaders at the Colleges. It was immediately clear Michelle has a wealth of experience and knowledge and handles challenging organizational problems in thoughtful ways. No issue or person is too small to matter. She is an ethical, values-driven, strategic thinker who adds value to the organizations she works with. It was for these reasons and her ability to develop meaningful relationships across the Colleges that we asked her to remain on as the permanent AVP of Human Resources for Hobart and William Smith Colleges. “

  • Carol Love, Nonprofit Leadership Consultant

    “Christina Gullo brings exceptional expertise to organizational analysis that engages and unites decision-makers around goal-setting, plan development and measurable results. Her track record speaks to the effectiveness of her highly communicative, values-driven leadership style, as well as her practical approach to tailoring process and content for individual organizations’ needs.”

  • Laurie Baker, President & CEO at The Summit Federal Credit Union

    As Board Chair, I had the opportunity to work closely with Chris to address many issues that were affecting our organization as she assumed her new role of President & CEO. It was an honor. She is a smart, decisive, solution-oriented leader who is solely driven by making a difference. Her selfless approach to problem solving and unwavering commitment to getting the job done had a tremendous positive influence on the Villa of Hope. I’m forever grateful for her tenacity, grit, and transparent leadership.

  • Betty Richardson, President, Rewarding Solutions, LLC

    I had the privilege of working with Michelle for many years when she led the Human Resources function at the Villa of Hope. She is knowledgeable in all areas of Human Resources and skilled in making the right things happen for an organization in a timely fashion. Michelle has proven herself to be a trusted partner for managers as well as employees, and because of this trust and respect, she is able to coach others in supporting organizational change and making individual changes. Not only is Michelle an exceptional Human Resources practitioner and leader, she is a key member of executive teams. She contributes in identifying an organization’s strategic objectives and translating those into actionable, measurable tasks and processes. I highly recommend Michelle for senior level Human Resources opportunities.