About Culpeo

Culpeo is the HR Partner Built to Strengthen and Align Your People and Culture

The Culpeo Story

Culpeo HR was built on (and named after) our fundamental belief that successful organizations start with culture and people. We would later learn that we shared names with the culpeo fox– also known as “The Golden Fox”– which is known for its observation, determination, and agility.

At Culpeo HR, we tackle each problem and strategy with the same observation, determination, and agility. This is what sets us apart and ensures security and long-term success for all of our clients.

Our People

leslie headshot

Leslie McIntyre Tavella

 

President + CEO

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Gloria VAZQUEZ

Human Resources Partner

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Jesse
Ahlgren

Human Resources Partner

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Cristina Chirsky

Jr. Human Resources Partner

Ade

Adelaide
Egan

Support + Recruitment Manager

Our People

laura headshot

Laura McPadden

Senior Human Resources Partner

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GLORIA VAZQUEZ

Human Resources Partner

How We

H.U.S.T.L.E.

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Help

Do whatever it takes.

streamlinehq-user-multiple-female-group-users-35

UNITE

Foster team collaboration.

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SERVE

Deliver exceptional value.

streamlinehq-workflow-teamwork-hand-gather-work-office-companies-35

TRUST

Be consistent + reliable.

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LISTEN

Embrace new ideas.

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EMPATHIZE

Promote kindness + care.

How We

H.U.S.T.L.E.

streamlinehq-performance-tablet-increase-business-products-35

Help

Do whatever it takes.

streamlinehq-user-multiple-female-group-users-35

UNITE

Foster team collaboration.

streamlinehq-multiple-actions-share-1-users-35

SERVE

Deliver exceptional value.

streamlinehq-workflow-teamwork-hand-gather-work-office-companies-35

TRUST

Be consistent + reliable.

streamlinehq-music-ear-music-audio-35

LISTEN

Embrace new ideas.

streamlinehq-workflow-teamwork-user-high-five-work-office-companies-35

EMPATHIZE

Promote kindness + care.

"Working at Culpeo has truly been a breath of fresh air."
"Working at Culpeo HR has truly been a breath of fresh air. After working for a few other staffing firms throughout my career, there are two things that set Culpeo apart; the culture and the people, and its tied into the company name! I have learned so many new business practices working with Leslie and look forward to many more years to come."
- Culpeo Employee
"We pride ourselves on providing HR guidance covering all areas of the employee experience"
"Each of our clients have a dedicated HR Business Partner which gives the client one point of contact. We pride ourselves on providing our clients with HR guidance covering all areas of the employee experience."
- Culpeo Employee
"Accessibility & communication are at the forefront of Culpeo's projects."
"Working at Culpeo HR I have developed a deep understanding of cohesion between companies and their people and the value of a strong partnership. Accessibility and communication are at the forefront of Culpeo HR’s projects and the reason for our overarching success. It is our goal to understand all facets of our customers to keep them compliant, innovative, and well-staffed with top talent."
- Culpeo Employee
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Careers

Are you passionate about helping businesses unite culture and people? We are always looking for energetic, culturally aligned people to join our team.

At Culpeo HR we hire based on fit and train on function. Share your resume and our team will reach out to learn more about you and your story.

Ready to Elevate Your
People and Culture?

Gloria Vazquez

Gloria’s passion lies in fostering meaningful connections with people. She is a creative thinker, strategic problem solver, and decisive leader who skillfully balances client needs with employee well-being, all while upholding the organization’s mission and core values. A true client partner and performance-driven professional, Gloria brings over 20 years of progressive experience in the field of Human Resources.

Her expertise spans the full spectrum of Human Resources disciplines, including strategic consulting, performance and talent management, talent acquisition, HR compliance, organizational development, risk mitigation, policy development, benefits and payroll administration, and succession planning. Gloria’s commitment to excellence ensures a seamless integration of HR strategies that drive organizational success and enhance client experiences.

Jesse Ahlgren

Jesse Ahlgren has spent over 20 years in the Human Resources field, with a distinguished background in the financial services and healthcare industries. Known for his transformational HR work, Jesse has led significant organizational changes that align talent strategies with business goals. His exceptional relationship management skills enable him to build strong partnerships with stakeholders at all levels, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Jesse's career began at General Electric, where he was part of their distinguished Human Resources Leadership Program. He has since worked with organizations such as The Hartford and Hartford HealthCare, honing his skills in HR Strategy & Planning, Organizational Effectiveness & Design, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Employee Engagement & Retention, Change Management & Communications, and Employee Relations.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jesse enjoys quality time with his family and channels his creative energy as a drummer in a local band. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven.

Cristina Chirsky

Cristina launched her career at a market-disrupting start-up where she played a pivotal role as the first human resources employee. Cristina's tenacity and agility allowed her to establish a comprehensive HR function that earned the trust of her fully remote organization. In a true generalist fashion, she wore many hats including payroll and benefits, policy development, employee engagement, talent development, and HRIS management.

Cristina’s strength lies in HR operations and technology, seamlessly integrating innovative solutions to optimize HR processes and ensure a positive employee experience. Cristina is passionate about employee engagement and a champion for prioritizing employee happiness. She believes a motivated and harmonious workforce is the key to true organizational excellence.

Cristina graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John’s University’s Honors Program, earning a B.A. in History within three years. While at St. John’s, she was a member of four honor societies and enjoyed cheering on the basketball team at Madison Square Garden.

Cristina is a hobbyist driven by her passion for new experiences and meeting new people. She loves music and attending concerts with friends, is an avid reader always accompanied by her Kindle, and loves spending an afternoon baking.

Adelaide Egan

Adelaide grew up in Connecticut and her professional journey began in the fast-paced world of wholesale women's apparel, where she thrived as a sales representative for showrooms and large-scale tradeshows, traveling back and forth between New York and Las Vegas.

Seeking new opportunities, she transitioned into a receptionist role at a leading digital entertainment publisher in Manhattan, sharpening her administrative skills in the tech industry. She then transitioned into the role of Talent Acquisition Coordinator, where she combined her attention to detail and knack for building relationships, helping shape the company's workforce and fostering a culture of excellence.

Adelaide is deeply impassioned by the universal languages of music and food, and their unparalleled ability to unite people across cultures and backgrounds. Whether it's playing her bass guitar with friends, baking cheesecake for her loved ones, or immersing herself in the community of live music, she is continually reminded of the joy in bringing people together. Additionally, she is an avid traveler with destinations like Madrid, Iceland, and the serene beauty of the Sierra Mountains in California holding a special place in her heart. Each journey fuels her sense of wonder, reminding her of the boundless possibilities that await both professionally and personally.

Laura McPadden

Laura is a results-oriented HR professional with a proven record of delivering HR strategies to support an organization’s growth, culture and transformation. As an HR business partner with over 25 years of experience, she is skilled in providing strategic guidance to management in the areas of employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, culture development and employee engagement.

Laura has worked in the industries of media, marketing, retail, consumer product goods and biotechnology life sciences. Her prior employers include News America Marketing, a former News Corporation Company, Aspira Women’s Health and The Caldor Corporation.

At Culpeo HR, she will work with clients to build and maintain high performing workforces by implementing employee focused HR solutions.

Laura holds a B.A. in English with a minor in Communications and a Human Resources Certification from Fairfield University. Laura served as a board member for a local Fairfield non-profit, Operation Hope from 2017 to 2021.

She resides in Connecticut with her husband and labradoodle. In her free time, Laura enjoys baking, entertaining, reading and gardening.