Blending Chief of Staff and People Ops at La Tourangelle: Benefits of Dual Roles
At La Tourangelle, one leader holds two key roles. Marcelo Elliott Lopez is both Chief of Staff and Head of HR. This setup helps connect people, strategy, and daily work. And it shows how combining roles can help smaller companies move faster and stay aligned.
Key Takeaways
The dual role happened naturally.
It was not planned from the start. The company needed someone to support the CEO’s strategy while still leading HR.Combining roles connects people and business goals.
Marcelo can link talent decisions directly to company priorities. This helps hiring, development, and planning stay aligned.HR is more than admin work.
HR should help guide strategy, coach leaders, and support growth. It should not just focus on policies and paperwork.
Notable Quotes
“There’s a benefit to having this dual nature position where you can leverage the potency of each position towards the company’s objectives and goals.”
“When you think about streamlined communication and aligning HR to strategic goals, that chief of staff and head of HR makes sense.”
“HR is turning into how does HR become a player at every level in the strategic planning and execution of company objectives.”
Real-World Applications
Align HR with company strategy
Example: A food company planning expansion trains current staff early so they are ready to lead new locations.Use AI to save time on routine tasks
Example: An HR team uses AI chat tools to answer PTO questions so they can focus on employee coaching.Develop internal talent, not just hire externally
Example: A warehouse promotes supervisors from within instead of hiring outsiders. This improves retention.
Blending Chief of Staff and People Ops roles helps companies stay connected. People strategy and business strategy become one. And when done well, it builds stronger teams, clearer goals, and better results.
Time Stamps:
00:51 Background and Career Path
01:35 About La Tourangelle
02:36 Role of Chief of Staff and HR
04:08 Benefits of a Dual Role
07:44 Impact of AI in HR
12:55 Balancing Chief of Staff and HR Responsibilities
17:43 Talent Management Strategies
19:31 Communication and Leadership
24:45 Continuous Improvement and Empowerment
32:45 Practical Advice for Setting Up People Operations
36:00 Favorite Products and Conclusion
Links Mentioned:
La Tourangelle Artisan Oil: https://latourangelle.com/
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.