About Carla

Real-world leadership experience. Psychological Health and Safety (PHS) and Human Resources expertise. Strategic insights and practical, get-it-done support.

I’m Carla Hurley, a Psychological Health and Safety Specialist and Human Resources Consultant with over 30 years of experience supporting small and medium-sized businesses across Atlantic Canada. I partner with business CEO’s and workplaces to mature HR systems and programs to create healthy workplaces.

My background spans Psychological Health and Safety, Human Resources, Workplace Investigations, Coaching, Change Management, and Project Management. Before launching my consulting practice, I served in front-line, operational, and senior leadership roles so I understand the realities of managing people, leading through pressure, and navigating competing business demands.

That lived experience shapes my approach. I work with leaders and teams facing complex challenges that require both strategic insight and hands-on execution. I plan the work and work the plan, bringing a practical, human lens to issues of policy, safety, performance and culture. Whether I’m advising from the sidelines or integrating directly into your team, my goal is to build internal capability, leadership confidence, and long-term systems that strengthen your organization from the inside out.

How I Work

Collaboration. Clarity. Capacity. Culture.

Clients trust me not just to evaluate, but to engage, rolling up my sleeves to design, implement, and support solutions that work in their context and the real world. I don’t just deliver recommendations and walk away. I am on the ground with you. I help you build healthier workplaces, while building your team’s confidence to carry the work forward.

Collaboration

I meet you where you are and tailor solutions that align with your business, your people, your budget.

Clarity

I simplify complexity so you can make informed decisions. I help you make it work for your business. I don’t just advise, I deliver.

Capacity

I strengthen internal knowledge, skills, and systems so your team is more confident, capable, and equipped to carry the work forward, long after our engagement ends.

Culture

I integrate Psychological Health and Safety (PHS), coaching, and change management into my work with you. I help you build respectful, resilient, and healthier workplaces where both people and performance thrive. Together, we will create compliant, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces.

CPHR
SHRM-SCP
Prosci
Change Cycle
EQi

Results

MJ MacDonald, P.Eng., ICD.D

Chief Executive Officer, Construction Safety Nova Scotia, Dartmouth, NS

Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) engaged Carla to review its HR function and develop a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing and creating new HR policies and programs. Carla’s deep HR expertise has been essential in building internal organizational capability to drive progressive HR functions and improve employee engagement. Her collaborative and inclusive approach fostered an environment where senior leadership could openly discuss, debate, and set the strategic direction for HR programs and services. Carla seamlessly transitioned from strategy to action, delivering immediate organizational impact. With her guidance and hands-on support, CSNS successfully developed and implemented market-competitive salary scales, a new performance management system, a complete refresh of all HR policies, over 30 new job descriptions, long-term service awards, and training for employees and leaders on various topics. Additionally, Carla provided regular mentorship and coaching to the leadership team on HR best practices and operational management. Carla’s expertise and support were instrumental in advancing CSNS’ HR programs. Her exceptional work enabled CSNS to enhance the delivery of top-tier safety services and audits for our members, helping them work safely and return home at the end of each day. Based on our satisfaction with her services and approach, Carla has been retained on contract to provide ongoing senior HR leadership for CSNS.

Gail Boone, MPA, CEC, PCC

Executive Coach, Next Stage Coaching, Enfield, NS

Carla is a seasoned leader with significant expertise and experience in both HR and Change Management. She is a natural collaborator, strategic thinker, detailed planner, and skilled implementer. Through this cycle, Carla engages her audience to customize solutions to address unique client needs and fit. Carla’s quality of work consistently exceeds expectations making her a ‘go to’ resource for HR and Change Management consultant services.  

Dr. Michelle Ploughman, BScPT, MSc, PhD

Founder and Principal Investigator, The Recovery and Performance Laboratory, Professor, Memorial University of NL, St. John’s, NL

Carla provided me with HR consulting and leadership coaching about employee-related matters and team development. Her expertise regarding team dynamics, communication, conflict resolution and performance management was beneficial to the growth and development of my team.

Janet Joyce

Director, Human Resources, Colemans Group of Companies, Corner Brook, NL

Carla supported us in revamping our performance development and management system across both our operational and corporate teams. Working closely with me, she brought clarity, structure, and a practical, people-centered approach to the entire process. She helped us move from outdated and inconsistent practices to a system that reflects our values and business needs. The tools, processes, and training she developed are not only aligned with best practices they are also realistic and usable in a busy, fast-paced environment. What stood out most was Carla’s ability to listen, adapt, and build solutions that will last. Our managers now have greater confidence and consistency in how they support performance, and we’re better positioned to grow the capability of our team moving forward.  

Alison Beaton

Owner/Physiotherapist, Scotia Physiotherapy, Halifax, NS

I engaged with Carla when I needed to develop a temporary leadership succession plan for my clinic. Carla quickly understood my requirements and asked thoughtful questions enabling me to explore options to address my resourcing needs. I was able to leverage Carla’s HR and change management expertise to develop a new job description, devise a plan to engage employees and potential candidates, document interview questions, select a leadership successor as well as design an onboarding program. Her HR knowledge and engaging approach enabled a confident and smooth leadership transition.

Duncan Williams, MSW, ICD.D

President and CEO, Construction Association of Nova Scotia, Dartmouth, NS

Acknowledging that the core strength of our association lies within our workforce, CANS took proactive steps to strategically invest in the improvement of our Human Resources systems and programs. Carla was engaged by the CEO and Governance and Nominating Committee to conduct a HR and workplace assessment. Her expertise in and integration of HR, change management, coaching and project management enabled a collaborative and comprehensive review and recommendations for improvement. I would recommend Carla as an HR executive to enable organizations to meet business objectives.

Craig Whitehead

President and Chief Executive Officer, Safety Services Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS

Carla was engaged to support Safety Services Nova Scotia (SSNS) in the development of new policies to ensure legislative compliance and alignment with HR best practices. She redrafted our Employee Policy Manual and Handbook. Her approach was both strategic and hands-on, ensuring that the policies and practices were not only compliant but also aligned with our culture and operational needs. In addition, Carla offered valuable consulting services on various employee-related matters, providing expert guidance and practical solutions. We greatly appreciated Carla’s expertise, professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to deliver timely results. I highly recommend her HR consulting services to any organization looking to ensure compliance with best practices and enhance their HR function.

Shelley Rowan

Past Chief Executive Officer, Workers’ Compensation Board of NS, Halifax, NS

As the former Director of Human Resources, Carla led the HR function enabling the achievement of WCBNS as one of Atlantic Canada’s top employers. She stands out as an exceptional partner, demonstrating expertise in Human Resources and Change Management. Her thoughtful approach to client engagement, coupled with a strategic mindset, creative program development and hands-on implementation, makes her an invaluable asset for any organization aiming to optimize its human resources practices. I would not hesitate to recommend Carla’s HR consultant and advisory services.

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