Unpretentious. Unfiltered. Unbelievably Helpful.
Fractional HR. Infinite Value.
Seriously Strategic. Surprisingly Human.

Things Get Messy When Your People Needs Outpace Your HR Setup

Maybe you're about to hire fast and need to get ahead of the chaos. Maybe there's a tough conversation coming and you're not sure how to handle it. Or maybe you just want someone who can help build real structure—without turning your company into a corporate cliché.
Either way, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

The JVW Approach provides consultative and fractional HR support that meets you where you are—and moves you forward.

Strategic, compassionate, and built around people—not policies. I partner with startups and growing companies to make people operations actually work.

Whether you're dealing with a one-off people problem or laying the groundwork for sustainable growth, I deliver people-first solutions that are practical, personalized, and keep you on the path to success.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of supporting iconic brands and scaling startup teams across industries—from luxury retail to tech and media. Now, I bring that same strategic, people-first mindset to growing businesses who want HR done differently.”
— Jess Van Wagner, Founder & CEO

Proven Experience.

  • Drove successful integration post-acquisition; managed full-scope HR functions for NY and LA offices

  • Built and led the People Partner function for tech startup division of Betting & Gaming; scaled headcount from 150 to 1,000+ globally in 2 years; led HR integration for critical M&A activity

  • Partnered with union and non-union staff across 1,200+ employees; navigated high-impact programming changes with empathy and alignment; led succession planning and talent strategy in high-visibility roles

  • Delivered proactive ER support for retail and corporate team members via shared services model across all luxury brands

  • Delivered $10M cost savings via organizational redesign; improved engagement by 15% through strategic initiatives

  • Led end-to-end HR for corporate and field team, scaling from 10 to 38 stores across North & South America; built regionally-aligned strategy to compliment global efforts

  • Created compensation philosophy and established competitive companywide salary bands for this California-HQ'ed retailer

  • Sole business partner for U.S. corporate team and all U.S. retail stores

  • “You can take every negative stereotype about HR and toss it—Jess redefines what it means to be a true business partner. She’s strategic, deeply human, and always a step ahead.”

    - Jeff Biel, VP, Legal Affairs
    NBCUniversal

Goodbye Tobys - Hello Jess.