Helen Kirkwood
Expertise: Helen is an experienced, multilingual Project Manager. She is agile, organized and team-oriented, calmly solving problems along the way.
Accomplishments: Helen has successfully led large, complex, as well as smaller projects at PeopleSmart in a virtual, in person or hybrid setting. Examples include Veepee (FR), Thales (FR), OECD (FR), Tesa (D), Alcon (CH), Manor(CH), both in the private and public sectors. Helen is able to smoothly onboard new clients and consultants, paying attention to key stakeholders.
Approach: Helen takes time to ensure the smooth running of projects. Her level-headed approach guarantees the success of projects from the perspective of clients and consultants. She cares about the team, objectives and outcomes.
Experience: Helen has lived and worked in a number of European countries and can easily relate to PeopleSmart’s international clients, participants and consultants. She has always worked (or played sports) in teams, collaborating with a variety of nationalities and age groups.
Client Focus: Helen builds solid client relationships and is open and authentic in her communication style. Helen listens attentively to her clients, acting as a sounding board, as well as a source of practical advice. Her partnership with clients is truly collaborative.
Team Collaboration: Helen brings energy and enthusiasm to teams. Her collaborative nature is appreciated by other players in the team
Certifications: Helen holds a Level 5 Diploma in L&D from the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) and is certified to debrief Facet5 Personality Profiles, as well as Genos EI reports. Helen is fluent in English, Dutch and German with an understanding of French. Helen holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Modern European Studies (UK) and Education (NL).
Meet our consultants
Margit Takacs
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Margit Takacs
Languages: English, Hungarian, Spanish
Career Path: With over 20 years’ experience across Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America, Margit has worked as a change management consultant, trainer, coach and professor. She has worked with global organisations through complex transformations, helping leaders and teams to tame the chaos of change. Today, she focuses on empowering and equipping change leaders to build confidence, navigate resistance, and create meaningful impact.
Sectors: Professional services, logistics, electronics, sport-ware, consumer goods, education, public sector, and non-profit organisations.
Motto: “Change does matter. Change management is common sense, but not yet common practice.”
Stephanie Ricci
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Stephanie Ricci
Languages: English, French, Italian
Career Path: Global HR leader – US and Europe – with track record in executive roles at AXA and Kering. Strategic consultant to CAC 40, scale-up advisor and coach in the space of HR, Talent & Learning and Future of Work.
Sectors: Financial services, luxury, beauty, telecoms & media, consulting, tech, and innovation ecosystems – from global corporations to mission-driven scale-ups.
Motto: Unleashing human potential through leadership development, bold thinking, and purposeful transformation.
