Fractional CHROs in Washington DC Making Things Happen
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Fractional CHROs in Washington DC Making Things Happen in 2025
DC & DMV Interim Chief People Officers to Know
The Washington DC metro area—also known as the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia)—is a thriving hub for policy, purpose-driven organizations, and innovation across sectors. Behind many of the region’s most dynamic organizations are fractional CHROs helping drive transformation, support sustainable growth, and embed strategic people practices.
At Digital Reference, we believe that radical transparency and radical authenticity aren’t just buzzwords—they're the foundation of a more human, efficient talent ecosystem. The rise of fractional leadership is a key part of that movement. And few roles are as mission-critical today as the Chief Human Resources Officer, especially in high-impact sectors like government, nonprofit, health, education, and emerging tech.
In this post, we highlight a standout group of independent fractional CHROs based in Washington DC and the greater DMV area. These professionals bring clarity, compassion, and expertise to the people side of business. Whether serving startups, scaling companies, or legacy institutions, each of these leaders is shaping the future of work in the region—and beyond.
Our Selection Methodology
This curated list is compiled using:
- Direct industry referrals and peer recognition
- Independent research via LinkedIn and professional websites
- Clear evidence of fractional or interim CHRO work
- Geographic relevance to the DC and DMV region
These professionals reflect the ethos of Digital Reference: high-trust, high-impact leaders who walk the talk when it comes to values and value.
Danielle Laurent
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-laurent/
Danielle is a strategic HR leader and seasoned consultant who helps companies build high-functioning teams through intentional people practices. With experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors, she excels at HR operations, leadership coaching, and inclusive hiring strategies.
Why She’s Featured: Danielle's approach is rooted in equity, empathy, and execution. She's a go-to for organizations looking to align their HR function with real cultural and operational goals.
Danielle M. Verderosa, Founder of HR Allies
Danielle founded HR Allies to bring ethical, practical, and empathetic HR leadership to small and mid-sized businesses. With decades of experience in operations and compliance, she supports clients through times of growth, change, and rebuilding.
Why She’s Featured: Danielle is beloved by clients for her hands-on, no-fluff approach to people ops. She’s particularly valued for her clarity during complex HR moments—layoffs, org changes, and crisis communications.
Angela Kinsella
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelakinsella/
Angela is a fractional HR leader who combines startup savvy with deep corporate HR experience. Her background spans workforce planning, org design, and DEI strategy. She works closely with growing organizations to embed scalable systems and human-first leadership models.
Why She’s Featured: Angela understands the balance between culture and compliance—making her an ideal partner for mission-driven organizations looking to grow without losing their values.
Giselle Jones
https://www.linkedin.com/in/giselle-jones-sphr-shrmscp/
Giselle is an SPHR and SHRM-SCP certified HR strategist with 20+ years of experience across industries. As a consultant and fractional CHRO, she specializes in executive coaching, talent architecture, and succession planning.
Why She’s Featured: Giselle brings a powerful mix of professionalism and heart to the table. Her passion for leadership development has made her a standout resource for senior teams in the DMV area.
Ashley Baquie
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybaquie/
Ashley has held senior HR roles in both private and public institutions, with a passion for making workplaces more inclusive and functional. Her consulting work emphasizes building better systems for feedback, retention, and recognition.
Why She’s Featured: Ashley’s thoughtful approach to organizational psychology and performance design has made her a trusted guide for companies navigating hybrid work and cultural resets.
Marilyn Charlton, PhD
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-charlton-phd-212b4b207/
Dr. Marilyn Charlton brings an academic and practitioner lens to her fractional CHRO work. With a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, she consults on leadership alignment, behavioral performance, and change management for midsize and enterprise orgs.
Why She’s Featured: Marilyn stands out for her evidence-based approach to HR. Her ability to synthesize data, behavior science, and human nuance makes her an invaluable asset in C-suites and boardrooms.
Joi Smith, Founder of People Principles Consulting
https://peopleprinciplesconsulting.com/about/
Joi is an HR executive and entrepreneur who helps organizations transform their talent operations. Her firm, People Principles Consulting, offers fractional CHRO support with a focus on ethics, innovation, and long-term people growth.
Why She’s Featured: Joi is a systems thinker with an entrepreneur’s lens. She knows how to scale people ops sustainably, even in fast-paced environments where priorities shift quickly.
Why DC Is a Hub for Fractional CHRO Talent
The DC metro area is home to a unique cross-section of industries—federal contractors, nonprofits, health systems, and startups all coexist here. And they all face the same core challenge: people.
The rise of fractional CHROs in the DMV is fueled by:
- The complexity of hybrid and remote workforce models
- Increased demand for compliance and ethics oversight
- The need for diversity and equity in leadership pipelines
- Budget-conscious hiring practices in scaling organizations
Fractional leaders bring expertise without full-time commitments—making them ideal for teams navigating uncertainty and transformation.
The Digital Reference Edge
At Digital Reference, we’re building a new kind of professional portfolio platform—one that lets fractional leaders tell their story on their terms.
We help fractional CHROs:
- Showcase references that speak to real-world impact
- Publish multimedia profiles, including video testimonials and pricing models
- Share portfolios for specific RFPs or roles
- Drive visibility in niche ecosystems through blog features like this one
Whether you’re a CHRO looking to grow your fractional business, or a company looking to find your next interim people leader—Digital Reference is your launchpad.
Want to Be Featured?
This list is growing. If you’re a fractional CHRO based in DC, Maryland, or Virginia and would like to be considered for a future update, please reach out at ryan@digitalreference.co.
Let’s keep highlighting the leaders who are making work better, one fractional role at a time.
Looking for other Fractional Leadership?
On a mission to help you find the professional you need in a more efficient manner. - Digital Reference Team
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