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April WatkinsMulti-HyphenateA senior executive advisor specializing in Human Capital, Operations, M&A Strategy and Transaction Execution, Corporate Real Estate Strategy, and Executive Advisory, helping businesses from startups to Fortune 100 organizations navigate growth, transformation, and high-stakes business decisions.
I'm a Realist. When asked if the glass if half-full or half-empty, my answer is simply 'It's HALF'! The question is are we emptying it or filling it? |
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Working with April was one of the best executive decisions we made during a critical growth period. She stepped in with immediate credibility, structure, and leadership, helping us stabilize HR operations while building the infrastructure we were missing. She created clarity around compliance, talent strategy, and organizational design, and operated as a true executive partner.
Her experience in M&A, due diligence, integration planning, and post-transaction execution was invaluable. She understood how people, operations, and business strategy had to align for successful execution. She helped us identify risks, close leadership gaps, and improve operational readiness. She moved seamlessly between strategy and implementation. She could advise at the executive level and also build the systems needed to support the work. We wanted to retain her long-term, but her broader vision and independent path made that impossible. Any company that works with April is getting far more than HR support. They are getting executive leadership. |
April brought exactly what our organization needed during a time of growth and transition. We engaged her for interim HR leadership, but it quickly became clear she was operating at a much broader executive level. She helped us establish strong HR infrastructure, improve accountability, and align leadership across the business.
Her depth in M&A strategy, due diligence, carve-outs, integration planning, and post-close execution gave us confidence during complex change. She understood both the operational and people side of transformation and helped us execute with discipline. She is strategic, direct, and trusted. She identifies the real issues quickly and creates practical solutions leaders can act on. We absolutely wanted to keep her in a permanent executive role, but her expertise is in high demand. If you have the chance to work with April, take it. She does not just advise. She delivers results. |
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Thank you! Thank you! Is all I can say besides please consider our offer to come fill our CAO position. You defy the perception issues of CHROs and have more business breadth and operational savvy far beyond several on our team. What you said about all leaders and execs are responsible for HR matters and the workforce just like everyone is responsible for finance and the bottom line really hit hard. My favorite line from you, "I'm not an HR person, I'm a business person, I just happened to be the one courageous enough to lead the charge and connect the relationship between human capital and economic growth." Priceless!!!!
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We very much appreciate your presence and facilitation in the room. We walked away with lots of tools and plans to better articulate and divvy out leadership and prep for succession planning. They also loved thinking through better utilizing their stakeholders towards their goals. The cross-company collaboration was a MASSIVE hit. Tons of energy and desire to make these happen regularly and want you to be a part of those conversations as we build muscle.
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Listening to April was a true call-to-action. I discussed with people sitting near me that I was sitting on the edge of my chair and normally I’m trying not to fall asleep. I took lots of notes and am fired up.
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April established credibility right away with our team. Specifically, I thought her ability to challenge assumptions, bring in her direct experience and share insights from her other client experiences were critical to the mindset shift underway here. We needed that level of credibility in the room.
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If you want truth and accountability, April will deliver. She was able to reach some hard people in the room who didn’t want to be there initially. Now they want to have her back and expand the audience.
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I recently worked with April on a video for GoFundMe, and it was a real pleasure. The client phoned-in for the recording session, and they loved her. She also helped us troubleshoot a few audio questions before the call.
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These are fantastic!! This separates professionals from amateurs. These are great, April. Thank you!! You're a life saver!
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The client loved these takes. We’ll be in touch for future projects.
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That is IT!!! Really nice work! Thank you for the fast turnaround! I really like your voice for this!
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April, it was so wonderful meeting you and having you be such an integral part of our first summit! It was a fantastic experience!
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Your session on "Leadership is both an Art and Science" is the most real and eye opening dialogue we've had as an exec team in quite some time. You managed the hard personalities well and did not allow us to revert back to our comfort zones and excuses.
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As my Executive Coach, April has helped me truly understand what actions I need to take and where my areas of focus should be. This has been a valuable use of my time and I feel this experience has increased my effectiveness as a leader. The bonus is it also improved my relationships at home.
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Another great session April and you were the perfect facilitator. I was thrilled to see all the engagement and collaboration. Definitely excited for our team as we move forward.
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