A Conversation with Elaine McAnally, Booth & Partners’ New Chief People Officer

We are thrilled to officially welcome Elaine McAnally to the Booth & Partners executive team as our first-ever full-time Chief People Officer! While Elaine has been an invaluable part of our team as a fractional CPO for the past year, her move into this permanent role is a huge milestone for us. To celebrate, we sat down with Elaine to discuss her vision for the company, her philosophy on culture, and what excites her most about this new chapter.

Q: Elaine, welcome to the full-time role! What made you decide to come on board permanently at Booth?

A: I’ve had the privilege of being part of Booth & Partners as a fractional leader for the past year, so stepping into this full-time role of Chief People Officer felt like a natural progression. From day one, I could see how closely the company’s mission matched my own values. We are a people-first organization committed to responsible growth, which matters now more than ever. I’ve seen how we balance the needs of our team, clients, and community. That balance is rare.

The world of work and the way we work are changing fast. Companies and teams now operate with new expectations and new tools. Many professionals are (re)learning to lead in hybrid and remote settings and need support to do it well. The rapid pace of technology, including AI, adds to the pressure. By joining Booth & Partners full-time, I can shape how we develop talent for this new reality.

I’m looking forward to helping build a future-ready workforce on a global scale.

Q: You have a long history of leading HR at high-growth companies. What is your core philosophy on building a great culture?

A: I believe a great culture starts with integrity. You can’t preach values without living them, and you must be clear about what those values look like in action. If you say you care about your people, show it in your policies and decisions. If you expect collaboration, create space for everyone to speak up and be heard.

I also believe in creating an environment where people can bring their whole selves to work. In past roles, I’ve seen how harmful it is when leaders use an individual’s differences and circumstances negatively, and that experience has shaped a big part of how I lead. I want everyone to feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are, not just for what they do.

Finally, great cultures don’t just wait for direction; they inspire people to lead at every level. High-growth companies have a great mindset of empowering teams to question, innovate, and take ownership. When people feel trusted to lead, they lift the whole organization.

Q: As Chief People Officer, what are you most excited to tackle first?

A: I’m eager to tackle two priorities. First, I want to invest in our leaders and help our clients’ teams grow. Change is rapid, and results-driven work is getting more complicated. We need skills that serve our people at Booth and our partners worldwide. That means training in their craft and in how they communicate, collaborate, and adapt. We’ll give our managers and clients’ managers the tools to guide their teams through change with clarity and confidence, especially in remote settings.

Second, I want to bring our values to life. We’ll ensure everyone understands what “people-focused, planet-conscious, and prosperity-driven” means in their daily choices. When we live those principles, we build trust and make room for everyone to thrive.

These steps will lay the groundwork for a strong culture and position us and our clients for what’s next.

Q: What are you passionate about on a personal level?

A: On a personal level, I’m a creative builder. I have this quote posted in my office: “Create the things you wish existed.” When something doesn’t exist or loosely exists but is not completely applicable, I roll up my sleeves and make it happen. I thrive on turning ideas into solutions and getting the details right so those solutions work. I also draw energy from connecting with people, spending time outdoors with my dog and family, and constantly learning new skills. Those experiences fuel my creativity and keep me grounded.