127 Ventures · Leadership & Innovation

Kristy
McCann Flynn

Founder & CEO CHRO Executive Coach Keynote Speaker Startup Advising Voice of Customer — B2B SaaS & AI Chief HR Evangelist for HR Tech AI Ethics & Workforce Guardrails

You need someone who has built companies, led through acquisitions, raised capital, and coached the leaders doing it right now. Not a consultant who studied it. Someone who lived it. That is what 127 Ventures brings to every engagement.

🏆
Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing · 2023 & 2025
Inc. Best Workplaces · 2024
✍️
Forbes Coaching Council
50+ Media Features
🎤 Keynote & Speaking 🎯 Coaching & Advisory 🤖 HR Tech AI-native mindset 💡 Advisory & Investment 🚀 GTM & Lead Gen ✍️ Brand & Content 🏗️ Startup Expertise founder advisory skills-first human-centered AI-native growth-led purposeful the future of work is human + AI
50+Media Features
20+Keynotes
100+Leaders Coached
Founder, Advisor & Alumni
GoCoach now SkillCycle
SkillCycle CO-FOUNDER & CEO
INC. 5000 FASTEST GROWING 2023
INC. BEST WORKPLACES 2024
INC. 5000 FASTEST GROWING 2025
INC. BEST WORKPLACES 2024
Forbes COACHING COUNCIL
127 Ventures FOUNDER & CEO
About Kristy

CEO. Founder. CHRO.
Future-of-Work Builder.

🏢 CEO 🚀 Founder 👥 CHRO 🎤 Keynote Speaker 🎯 Executive Coach 💡 Investor 📣 Voice of Customer — B2B SaaS & AI ⚡ Chief HR Evangelist for HR Tech ⚖️ AI Ethics & Workforce Guardrails

Kristy McCann Flynn is a CEO, Founder, and CHRO who has spent 25+ years at the intersection of people, culture, and technology, building companies, transforming enterprises, and coaching leaders at every stage.

As Co-Founder and CEO of SkillCycle (formerly GoCoach), she raised $15M+, built a global AI-powered coaching platform, achieved 400% ARR YoY growth, and earned Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing recognition in 2023 and 2025, and Inc. Best Workplaces recognition in 2024, before a PE-backed transition.

She has served as Interim CHRO at Richemont, MoneyLion, WeWork, and Western Asset Management, led enterprise change management engagements at Eli Lilly and other Fortune-scale organizations, and directed global HR strategy at Pearson through $497M+ acquisitions. A Forbes Coaching Council contributor featured in 50+ media outlets.

Today, through 127 Ventures, she advises and invests in the Work Tech space, including Granted, Relate, RallyBright, and Previ, and brings the full weight of her founder, operator, and coaching expertise to executives, HR leaders, and startup founders ready to lead differently. She also advises organizations on AI ethics and efficacy guardrails — building the governance frameworks that ensure AI adoption in the workforce is responsible, measurable, and human-centered.

Executive Coach Prosci ADKAR Lean Six Sigma DiSC Certified Enneagram Predictive Index Fierce Conversations
Founder & CEO
127 Ventures
2026 – Present
Strategic advisory, executive coaching, keynote speaking & investment in Work Tech
Co-Founder & CEO
SkillCycle (formerly GoCoach) · HR Tech AI SaaS
2018 – 2026
$15M+ raised · 400% ARR YoY growth · Inc. 5000 ×3 · PE-backed transition
Interim CHRO & Change Management
Richemont · MoneyLion · WeWork · Western Asset Management · Eli Lilly & additional engagements
2016 – 2018
$5M+ efficiency gains · enterprise HR transformation at scale · complex change management at Fortune-level organizations
VP, Human Resources
Constant Contact & SinglePlatform
2012 – 2016
Pre & post merger integration on $100M acquisition · built full HR function driving revenue growth and people product roadmaps
Director, HR, Global
Pearson Education
2006 – 2012
Led HR strategy across half a dozen acquisitions and integrations in the eLearning space · future-state change management planning for 20,000+ employees across US/Canada/EMEA
Early Career HR Leadership
Federal Reserve · Publicis · Fidelity
2000 – 2006
Built foundation across financial services, media & government sectors
Areas of Expertise

Built on Experience,
Driven by Impact

25+ years of driving revenue growth, building people product roadmaps and designing the people and culture strategies that make organizations actually perform.

🏢
Founder & CEO Leadership

From zero-to-one to PE exit, the full founder journey including fundraising, team building, product strategy, and scaling a SaaS business to Inc. 5000 recognition.

🤝
People & Culture Strategy

Designing organizations where people thrive, talent architecture, DEI, performance management, engagement, and workforce transformation at every stage of growth.

🤖
AI & HR Tech Innovation

Bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and human-centered work, from AI-enabled coaching platforms to next-gen HR tech stack strategy.

🔄
Change Management

Prosci ADKAR-certified practitioner with a track record of leading complex transformations, M&A integrations, digital adoptions, and culture shifts, at global scale.

🎯
Executive Coaching

executive coach working with founders, CHROs, and senior leaders to unlock potential, navigate inflection points, and lead with clarity and purpose.

🏗️
M&A & Org Design

Led integrations across $597M+ in acquisitions, designing the structures, processes, and cultures that make combinations actually work at scale.

⚖️
AI Ethics & Efficacy Guardrails

Designing the frameworks, policies, and governance structures that ensure AI adoption in the workforce is responsible, equitable, and effective — building AI-centric organizations that perform without compromising human dignity, compliance, or trust.

What I Offer

Services
Designed to
Move You

Every engagement is built around your goals, a keynote that reframes the room, a coaching relationship that rewires how you lead, or a workshop that builds skills that stick.

Inquire Now →
01
Keynote & Speaking

Compelling keynotes on the future of work, HR tech, AI adoption, and resilient leadership — delivered at HR Transform, HR UnCubed, TechCrunch, University of Michigan, HR.com, HRCI, and the Human Capital Institute. Tailored for conferences, summits, corporate events, and leadership retreats.

ConferencesCorporate EventsUniversity SummitsWorkshops
02
Executive Coaching & Advisory

One-on-one executive coaching for founders, CHROs, and senior leaders navigating complexity, career transitions, or their next big move. Expert facilitation of strategic planning sessions, leadership offsites, and board retreats. Available instantly on Intro — no waitlist.

1:1 CoachingFacilitationHR LeadersFounders
03
Go-to-Market & Lead Generation

Hands-on GTM strategy and pipeline engine design for HR Tech, Work Tech, and B2B SaaS companies — built by a founder who has done it. From ICP definition and positioning to channel strategy, outbound, inbound, and community-led growth. Grounded in 25+ years of real buyer insight as Voice of Customer for B2B SaaS and AI.

GTM StrategyPipeline BuildingB2B SaaSLead Gen
04
Brand & Content Creation

Building brands that stand for something and content that earns attention — from executive thought leadership and company narrative to messaging frameworks and editorial strategy. Forbes Coaching Council contributor with 50+ media features and a proven track record of building platforms that open doors.

Brand StrategyThought LeadershipContent StrategyForbes Council
05
HR Tech Product Evolution — AI-Native

Advising HR Tech companies on how to evolve their products with an AI-native mindset — not AI bolted on, but AI built in from the ground up. Product roadmap strategy, feature prioritization, user adoption, change management, and AI ethics & efficacy guardrails. Built on firsthand experience founding and scaling an AI-powered HR Tech platform.

AI-Native ProductHR Tech RoadmapAI EthicsAdoption
06
Strategic Advisory & Investment

Strategic advisor and investor in the Work Tech space — Granted, Relate, RallyBright, and Previ. Founder and investor in SkillCycle (formerly GoCoach). Board-level guidance for HR Tech, Work Tech, and Ed Tech companies. Chief HR Evangelist & Voice of Customer for B2B SaaS and AI — bringing the operator and buyer perspective to product, GTM, and positioning.

Work TechHR TechInvestorChief HR Evangelist
07
Startup Expertise & Founder Advisory

From zero-to-one to PE-backed scale — Kristy has built it, raised it, and led it. Advising startup founders and early-stage teams on people strategy, org design, fundraising narrative, culture, and the operational decisions that determine whether a company thrives or stalls. Real founder experience, not theory.

Early StageFounder CoachingOrg DesignFundraising
Tech Verticals

Three Sectors.
One Mission.

Work Tech
The Future of How We Work

Helping organizations understand and adopt the platforms, processes, and practices that define modern work, from remote infrastructure to AI-enabled productivity.

  • Future of Work Strategy
  • Remote & Hybrid Workforce Design
  • AI & Automation Integration
  • Advisor: Granted · Relate · RallyBright · Previ
Ed Tech
Learning That Actually Sticks

Bridging learning technology and meaningful skill development, guiding organizations to build cultures of continuous growth and career ownership.

  • Learning & Development Strategy
  • LMS & Platform Selection
  • Curriculum Design & Facilitation
  • Corporate University Development
HR Tech
Human Systems, Reimagined

Advising on the selection, implementation, and optimization of HR technology that genuinely puts people first, not just people data.

  • HRIS & HCM Implementation
  • People Analytics Strategy
  • Talent Acquisition Technology
  • Founder & Investor: SkillCycle
Speaking & Appearances

On Stage, On Air,
On the Page

From global HR conferences to university keynotes, top-ranked podcasts, and leading publications, Kristy brings energy, candor, and hard-won insight to every platform.

🎤 Keynotes & Panels
HR Transform
Keynote
University of Michigan
Keynote
TechCrunch
Featured Speaker
HR UnCubed
Panelist
HR.com
Speaker
Human Capital Institute
Speaker
and many more...
🎧 Podcasts
Punk Rock HR
Guest
HR Heretics
Guest
Troop HR Podcast
Guest
and many more...
✍️ Writing & Media
Forbes Coaching Council
Contributor
CEOWORLD Magazine
Contributor
Troop HR
Contributing Writer
HRCI Webinars
Webinar Speaker
HRTech Cube
Featured Interview
and many more...
Book Kristy to Speak →
Book Kristy

Ready to Work
Together?

Whether it's a keynote, a coaching engagement, or a 1:1 strategy session, let's make it happen.

🎤
Keynote & Speaking

Bring Kristy to your conference, summit, or corporate event for a talk that reframes how your audience thinks about the future of work.

  • Conferences & Summits
  • Corporate All-Hands
  • University Events
Inquire to Book →
🎯
Executive Coaching & Advisory

Ongoing coaching relationships for founders, CHROs, and senior leaders. Facilitation, workshops, and strategic advisory also available.

  • 1:1 Executive Coaching
  • Leadership Workshops
  • Strategic Facilitation
Start a Conversation →
⚡ Instant Booking
💬
1:1 Session on Intro

Need focused advice now? Book a direct paid session on Intro, no waitlist, no middleman. Available to startup founders, CEOs, and HR leaders.

  • Startup Founders
  • CEOs & Executives
  • HR Leaders
Book on Intro →
The Newsletter

The People & Progress Report

Real talk on leadership, the future of work, and building companies that actually work for people. From a founder, CHRO, and coach who has lived every chapter, straight to your inbox.

Leadership Insights Work Tech Trends Coaching Frameworks Event Invites
Get in Touch

Let's Work
Together

Whether it's a keynote, a coaching engagement, or a quick conversation, reach out and let's make it happen.

🎤
Keynote & Speaking
Conferences, corporate events, university summits and leadership retreats.
Use the form →
🎯
Executive Coaching & Advisory
1:1 coaching, workshops, strategic facilitation and ongoing advisory.
Use the form →
Quick 1:1 on Intro
Need advice now? Book a direct paid session, no waitlist, no back and forth.
Book on Intro →
✉️
Email Directly
Prefer email? Reach Kristy directly at the address below.
kmf [at] 127-ventures.com

Kristy reads every message personally and responds within 48 hours.

Investment

Transparent Pricing.
Real Results.

Every engagement is built around your goals. Here is what working together looks like.

🎤
Keynote Speaking
Custom / per engagement

Compelling keynotes on the future of work, AI adoption, HR leadership and resilient cultures. Tailored for conferences, corporate events, university summits and leadership retreats.

  • Pre-event discovery call to tailor content
  • Custom keynote designed for your audience
  • Post-event Q&A and engagement
  • Virtual or in-person available
Book Time to Discuss →
🎓
Workshops & Seminars
Custom / half-day or full-day

Hands-on, interactive learning experiences that leave teams with practical tools they can use immediately. From AI readiness to leadership development and change management.

  • Needs assessment and custom design
  • Half-day, full-day or multi-day formats
  • Team learning materials included
  • Follow-up resources and action plans
Book Time to Discuss →
💡
Strategic Advisory
$7K–$10K / month retainer

Ongoing strategic advisory for Work Tech, HR Tech and Ed Tech companies. Board-level guidance, people strategy, AI adoption and organizational design. Equity optionality available for early-stage companies.

  • Monthly retainer or equity arrangements
  • Board and leadership team access
  • People strategy and AI roadmap support
  • Investor and fundraising perspective
  • Network introductions and deal flow
Start a Conversation →
🤝
Facilitation
Custom / per engagement

Expert facilitation of strategic planning sessions, leadership offsites, board retreats and team alignment workshops. Creating space for the conversations that move organizations forward.

  • Pre-session design and stakeholder interviews
  • Full-day or multi-day offsites
  • Post-session action plan and summary
  • Virtual or in-person available
Book Time to Discuss →
✍️
Content & Thought Leadership
Custom / project

Articles, white papers, webinars and podcast appearances across Work Tech, HR Tech and the future of work. Forbes Coaching Council contributor with 50+ media features.

  • Guest articles and contributed content
  • Podcast appearances and interviews
  • Webinar hosting and participation
  • Brand partnership and co-creation
Get in Touch →

All pricing is subject to scope and availability. Reach out to discuss what the right engagement looks like for you.

Find Out

The Ready to Work Quiz

Five questions. One minute. Find out exactly what kind of support would move the needle for you right now.