Our Point of View
TalentCircle doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all models or off-the-shelf solutions. Every organization operates within its own context. It's shaped by leadership, history, culture, and real-world constraints, so the work needs to reflect that reality.
We believe:
Leadership capability must be built, not borrowed.
Strong leadership can’t be outsourced indefinitely. Our role is to support leaders as they develop the skills, confidence, and judgment needed to lead well long after external support has stepped away.
Culture changes through behaviour, not posters.
Values and culture only matter when they show up in everyday decisions, conversations, and actions. We focus on the behaviours, systems, and expectations that shape how work actually gets done.
Systems should serve people, not the other way around.
HR and people systems should make work clearer, not more complicated. We design practical, fit-for-purpose systems that support people to do their best work rather than creating unnecessary friction.
Our role is to help organizations build what they need internally then step back once it’s working. The measure of success isn’t how long we stay, but how well the work holds without us.
Not sure where to start?
If you’re navigating growth, change, or people challenges, let’s talk about what’s happening, what outcomes matter most, and whether TalentCircle is the right fit for the work ahead.
the talentcircle team
Tammie Sorensen, CPHR - Founder & Principal Advisor
TalentCircle is led by Tammie Sorensen, a senior People & Culture advisor with over 15 years of experience supporting leaders and organizations through growth, change, and complexity.
Tammie works at the intersection of leadership, culture, and people systems, helping leaders make sense of what’s really happening beneath the surface and translate insight into practical action.
Her approach is strategic and grounded in real-world execution. Clients value her ability to hold complexity, ask the right questions, and help organizations build internal capability that lasts, rather than creating long-term reliance on external support.
She brings broad experience in leadership advisory, organizational design, performance and accountability systems, and building practical people strategies that support long-term organizational health.
Denie Olmstead, CAE, CEM - Senior Advisor, Governance & Impact Organizations
Denie is a senior advisor with over 25 years of leadership experience specializing in governance, strategy, and organizational development. He works with not-for-profits and mission-driven organizations to navigate growth, strengthen governance, and bring clarity to complex decisions.
His approach is grounded in practical, real-world experience, helping boards and leadership teams align, improve effectiveness, and move forward with confidence. Denie brings a strong understanding of governance, executive leadership, and the realities facing organizations working to create meaningful impact in their communities and sectors.
He also brings experience working with funding partners across federal, territorial, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as private-sector organizations.
Sally Shaxted, CCP® - Senior HR Consultant
Sally is a senior HR consultant and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®) with broad experience supporting organizations across professional services, Indigenous business, and multi-site operational environments. Her background includes compensation and total rewards, recruitment and onboarding, performance management, policies and procedures, HR systems, and project-based implementation support.
She has worked closely with business owners, leadership teams, and employees to build people practices and administrative structures that are organized, effective, and sustainable.
Sally is valued for her steady, detail-oriented approach and her ability to help clients put the right processes in place to support both day-to-day operations and longer-term growth.
Mario Patenaude, CPHR- Senior Advisor, Leadership & Organizational Transformation
Mario is a senior advisor with extensive executive experience supporting organizations in strengthening leadership, performance, and organizational effectiveness. His background spans publicly traded and global companies, family-owned businesses, Crown corporations, and consulting environments, bringing a broad perspective to the work.
He is especially energized by leadership development, organizational transformation, strategic planning, and helping teams turn ideas into meaningful results. Mario brings a strong focus on metrics, evidence, and impact, along with practical insight into how HR technology and AI can support stronger decision-making and performance.
He is also the author of The Performance Equation, reflecting his long-standing commitment to helping organizations connect leadership and execution in ways that make a measurable difference.