MEET THE FOUNDER

The Person Behind the Philosophy.

"I believe every organization has its own unique potential. When leadership, culture, strategy, and people are aligned, that potential becomes momentum."

— Emily M. Herring, MS-HRM, SPHR

MY STORY

Two Decades. One Belief.

Throughout my career, I've been drawn to organizations at pivotal moments — periods of growth, transformation, transition, and change. Those moments require more than policies or processes. They require thoughtful leadership, sound strategy, and a deep understanding of how people drive business success.

After two decades leading human resources across industries including energy, healthcare, engineering, construction, and manufacturing, I founded Mana People Advisory to bring executive-level people strategy to organizations that want a trusted partner at the leadership table.

My experience spans organizations of all sizes — from growing businesses building their people infrastructure for the first time to established companies navigating mergers, acquisitions, organizational redesign, executive transitions, and large-scale business transformation. Throughout each engagement, my focus remains the same: helping leaders make confident decisions that strengthen their organizations while creating environments where people and businesses thrive together.

DEFINING THE BRAND

The Meaning of Mana

The name Mana reflects a belief that has shaped both my career and my leadership philosophy. Across many cultures, mana represents an unseen force of strength, influence, and positive energy.

I believe every organization carries that same energy — dormant or alive, depending on how well its leadership, culture, strategy, and people are aligned.

When those forces come together, organizations gain momentum that extends far beyond financial performance. They become places where people are engaged, leaders are empowered, and businesses are positioned for long-term success.

OUR APPROACH

Collaborative. Practical. Grounded in Business Outcomes.

We work alongside founders, executive teams, and boards as a strategic advisor — bringing clarity to complex challenges, building scalable organizations, and helping leaders navigate change with confidence.

Whether serving as a Fractional Chief People Officer, advising executive leadership, or leading transformational initiatives, the goal is always the same: to help organizations align people, purpose, and performance in ways that create lasting impact.

Because at the heart of every successful business is a strong organization — and every strong organization begins with its people.

HOW WE SHOW UP

Partnership Principles to Stand By.

At Mana, we believe organizations perform at their best when leadership, people, and purpose are aligned. Every engagement is designed to create that alignment — building stronger leaders, healthier organizations, and sustainable business success. When you work with Mana, you can expect:

  • We work alongside your leadership team as a strategic advisor — offering thoughtful guidance, honest perspective, and practical solutions built around your specific reality.

  • Every recommendation begins with your business objectives. People strategy should support organizational performance — not compete with it. We keep the bottom line in the room.

  • No two organizations are the same. Every engagement is customized to your culture, your goals, and your stage of growth. We don't do off-the-shelf.

  • Strategy only creates value when it's implemented. We focus on solutions that leaders can realistically execute and sustain — not frameworks that collect dust.

  • The goal isn't to create dependency — it's to strengthen your organization so it continues to thrive long after our engagement ends. We measure success by what you no longer need us for.

LET’S CONNECT

Ready to Align Your People, Purpose, and Performance?

Every engagement begins with a conversation. Let's talk about where your organization is headed and how Mana can help you get there.