The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Danielle Cole, chief people officer at Agile Defense, and finalist in the HR Executive of the Year, Private Company, category. Here, she talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
One of my key achievements in 2024 was successfully leading the design and groundwork for a workforce mobility initiative aimed at increasing internal movement across business units. This program is set to create more growth opportunities for employees while aligning their skills with the evolving needs of our organization. By collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including People Operations, recruiting, business leaders, and employees, we’ve established a comprehensive framework that encourages internal career development and fosters cross-functional talent sharing. This initiative will not only support employee retention by offering new avenues for growth but also improve resource alignment across the business, making us more agile and adaptable.
Additionally, I spearheaded a strategic reorganization of the recruiting teams, moving them from a shared service model to a structure that aligns more closely with individual business units. This shift has empowered recruiters to develop deeper relationships with business leaders and understand the unique demands of their areas, which has significantly improved our hiring responsiveness, and the quality of our candidate matches. These efforts are foundational to our long-term talent strategy, ensuring that we continue to attract and retain top talent while supporting the company’s broader goals.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Going forward, my focus is on advancing our organizational development by refining both talent acquisition and employee experience strategies. Our goal is to remain agile and competitive in attracting top-tier talent in an increasingly dynamic market, while simultaneously fostering an environment that promotes internal growth and long-term retention. In a highly competitive landscape, it’s critical that our recruiting efforts not only bring in top talent but also integrate seamlessly with our internal mobility programs, ensuring employees can explore new opportunities within the organization, thus reinforcing their engagement and loyalty.
Equally important is our focus on enhancing the employee experience function to provide stronger, more proactive support for managers and employees alike. By embedding this deeper into our organizational development strategy, we aim to ensure smooth conflict resolution, facilitate clearer communication, and promote a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. This approach goes beyond resolving day-to-day issues and focuses on long-term relationship building, which is key to sustaining a healthy, high-performing workforce.
These two areas—organizational development through talent acquisition and retention, alongside a more robust employee experience function — are deeply interconnected and essential to our mission. They directly impact our ability to maintain a high-performing, engaged workforce that is responsive to the evolving needs of our customers. By strengthening internal career development opportunities and improving the overall employee experience, we not only ensure we are retaining critical talent, but also create a shared sense of purpose and value within the organization. This holistic approach will drive employee satisfaction, foster innovation, and ultimately support the growth and success of the organization as a whole.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My best advice is to be adaptable and always ready to evolve with the demands of the business. HR is constantly changing, and being proactive about understanding the needs of both the workforce and the organization is key to staying ahead. Building strong relationships and trust with your team, business unit leaders, and employees will take you far, as it fosters collaboration and mutual respect. It’s important to always lead with empathy, but balance that with the ability to make tough decisions when necessary — sometimes, the hardest choices are the ones that create the most long-term value.
Additionally, never stop learning. Whether it’s keeping up with new HR technologies, compliance updates, leadership skills, or trends in workforce management, continuous growth is essential. Staying curious and open to change will not only help you advance but also equip you to be a more effective leader, one who can guide an organization through both steady growth and turbulent times. Finally, remember that HR isn’t just about policies and procedures — at its core, it’s about people. Always keep that human element front and center in everything you do.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
Something that surprises people is that cooking is my favorite way to unwind after a long day. I don’t follow recipes much — instead, I enjoy making dishes up as I go, using whatever ingredients inspire me at the moment.