Meet the people behind Phare.

Meet our Founder, Amber Aziza, the award-winning HR and AI consultant, workforce culture expert, and all-around workplace guru who’s on a mission to make HR less boring and a lot easier to navigate. With over 20 years of experience under her belt—and HR certifications in the US and UK to match—Amber has worked with Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and everything in between. But after years of seeing the HR consulting world dominated by cookie-cutter “corporate warriors,” she knew it was time to shake things up. So, she launched organizations like Phare HR Consulting, LTD to bring fresh, people-focused strategies to small businesses around the world.

Amber’s been an entrepreneur for over 12 year, which means she gets the challenges small businesses face. Whether she’s helping clients navigate hiring hurdles, build dream teams, or tackle workplace culture shifts, she’s always bringing her signature blend of expertise, creativity, and heart to the table.

Oh, and did we mention she’s also a seasoned speaker with 28 years on global stages? From workshops to keynotes, Amber knows how to captivate a crowd and leave them with actionable takeaways (and maybe a few laughs, too).

As an American living in London, Amber’s passport tells quite the story. She’s called the US, Italy and Thailand home and now spends her days supporting small businesses from her home in London where you can find her chasing after her pup Chloe, and exploring the world with her husband, Alex. Her global adventures have shaped her unique perspective on the nuances of cross-cultural workplaces and what it really takes to succeed in today’s interconnected world.

When Amber’s not revolutionizing the HR world, you can find her brainstorming bold solutions, sharing her wisdom on social media (@Amber_Aziza), or cheering on fellow entrepreneurs as they build lives and businesses that bring them joy.

Meet Alex Hewett, the Sales Director at Phare HR Consulting and the guy you want in your corner when it comes to creating HR solutions that actually work. With over 15 years of sales and leadership experience, including roles at big names like Heineken and PepsiCo, Alex knows how to turn complex challenges into simple, actionable strategies.

At Phare, he’s not just about hitting numbers—he’s all about building relationships, understanding client needs, and supporting our team in delivering the kind of HR support that keeps small businesses running smoothly. When he’s not leading the charge in sales, you’ll find Alex brainstorming fresh ideas, rooting for Arsenal, playing tennis, and probably cracking a dad-joke or two along the way. Alex lives in London with his wife, Amber and dog Chloe.

With over 10 years of experience in executive assistance, virtual support, project management, and business operations, Zaida brings a structured, people-focused approach to helping organizations run efficiently. She has supported C-level executives and international clients, coordinating workflows, supporting HR-related functions, managing projects, and improving administrative processes.

Known for her adaptability, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills, she helps teams stay aligned, processes run smoothly, and business priorities move forward.

Meet Michael Ouru, Phare’s Senior Project Manager and the mastermind behind turning big ideas into seamless execution. With a degree in Computer Science and a PMP certification, Michael blends technical expertise with sharp project management skills to keep things running on time, on budget, and above expectations. Whether it’s IT, eLearning, or digital transformation, he thrives on managing complex projects that drive real impact.

Michael’s career spans EdTech, NGOs, and IT consultancy, where he’s successfully led high-impact initiatives that scale businesses and optimize technology-driven solutions. From rolling out Learning Management Systems to spearheading software development and digital strategies, he knows how to bring structure to chaos and keep stakeholders aligned every step of the way.

At Phare, Michael ensures that our clients’ projects don’t just get done... they get done right. With a keen eye for strategic planning and an innate ability to manage moving parts, he turns ambitious goals into actionable roadmaps. His skillset goes beyond execution of projects... he creates lasting impact for our clients, ensuring that every project delivers long-term value.

When he’s not keeping projects on track, you’ll find Michael exploring the latest in digital innovation, streamlining workflows, or enjoying life with family and friends in Nairobi.

Meet Jesse Bryant, Phare’s HR Consultant based in the lively city of Chicago, where he balances his talent for finding top-tier candidates with his passion for culinary creativity.

With a rich background in Talent Acquisition and Organizational Design, Jesse doesn’t just fill roles—he builds structures that help businesses thrive. From entry-level hires to executive leadership, Jesse has a proven knack for matching the right people to the right roles while crafting systems that set teams up for long-term success. His innovative approaches, honed at companies like Spartan College, 1stDibs, and Jitjatjo, include cutting-edge ATS and AI-driven tools that reduce time-to-fill and elevate the candidate experience.

Jesse’s expertise spans high-volume recruitment, international hiring, and DEI initiatives that foster inclusivity and belonging. As a talented Organizational Designer, he brings strategic thinking to every project, ensuring teams are not only staffed but primed to perform at their best.

When Jesse isn’t revolutionizing talent strategies, he’s likely in the kitchen, rocking his chef hat and whipping up something drool-worthy in vibrant Chicago, where he calls home.

Meet Ryan Head, Phare’s HR & Leadership Consultant and the strategist you want in your corner when navigating change, building high-performing teams, or tackling big-picture people strategy. With over a decade of global HR leadership experience, Ryan specializes in HR strategy, change management, and leadership coaching—helping businesses transform, scale, and create workplaces that actually work.

His background includes leading European HR projects for a Fortune 500 company, managing complex multi-market transformations, and aligning people strategies with business objectives. From large-scale restructures to talent development and succession planning, Ryan has been at the forefront of building resilient, forward-thinking organizations that thrive in times of change.

Now, through his own coaching business and consultancy work at Phare, Ryan helps professionals and businesses gain clarity, confidence, and actionable solutions in their leadership and HR journeys. Whether it’s navigating workforce planning, strengthening executive leadership, or creating inclusive and high-impact work environments, he brings a pragmatic, results-driven approach to every challenge.

When he’s not shaping the future of HR and leadership, you’ll find Ryan deep in conversations about organizational design, coaching leaders through career transitions, or proving that change doesn’t have to be painful—it can be a powerful opportunity for growth.

Meet Persis Darukhanawalla, Phare’s HR Consultant and our in-house compliance queen, with a serious love for the HR rulebook (yes, those people do exist—and we’re lucky to have her). With over 8 years of experience in HR across New Zealand, the UK, and now the Netherlands, Persis has built her career working with big names like Hilton, Sheraton, and Fooditude—where she honed her skills in fast-paced, people-intensive environments that demanded both heart and hustle.

Her HR expertise covers the full spectrum—from end-to-end recruitment and onboarding to learning & development, employee relations, and of course, her favorite: compliance. She’s tackled complex cases, advised senior leadership teams, and built positive workplace cultures grounded in trust, process, and people-first thinking. Persis doesn’t just keep businesses out of trouble—she helps them thrive by making sure their HR foundations are strong, scalable, and strategically aligned.

After seven years in New Zealand and nearly two years in London, Persis now brings her global know-how to clients from her base in the Netherlands. Her stakeholder management skills are second to none, and she has a true talent for turning “we’ve never had an HR process” into “wow, this runs like clockwork.”

Whether she’s creating policy, advising on tricky ER situations, or organizing training that sticks, Persis brings warmth, precision, and a compliance-loving spirit that makes her a secret weapon for small businesses trying to get their HR house in order.

Meet Omolola Oshinlaja, a powerhouse HR Consultant at Phare who’s spent the last 18+ years turning people strategies into business wins. With a deep expertise in human resources management, Omolola knows that a thriving workplace isn’t just about policies—it’s about empowering people, leveraging data, and aligning HR with business goals to drive real results. Whether she’s fine-tuning talent strategies, fostering positive workplace cultures, or using data analytics to boost performance, Omolola brings a sharp, strategic approach to every challenge.

Before stepping into the sporting industry as an HR Manager, Omolola was a Senior HR Business Partner at Ecobank, one of Africa’s largest Pan-African banks, operating in 36 countries with representative offices in Paris, Dubai, Johannesburg, and London. Her ability to work across borders and industries has given her a unique edge in understanding the complexities of global talent management, making her an invaluable asset to businesses looking to scale and sustain high-performing teams.

With a first degree in Economics, an MBA in Human Resources Management from the Paris Graduate School of Management, and an MSc in Human Resource Management from Kent Business School, UK, Omolola pairs academic excellence with real-world expertise. She’s a strong advocate for empowerment and capacity building, ensuring that employees aren’t just filling roles—they’re thriving in them.

When she’s not shaping HR strategies, Omolola is championing employee development, driving performance, and proving that HR, when done right, is the backbone of any successful organization. With her on board, businesses don’t just grow—they evolve.

Meet Chloe, Phare’s pint-sized Chief Happiness Officer and proud nepo baby (mom and dad are Amber and Alex, so naturally, she landed the role). Don’t let her fluffy Cavapoo exterior fool you—Chloe takes her job very seriously, ensuring every client who visits the office is greeted with tail wags, cuddles, and an overwhelming sense of joy.

Whether she’s snoozing strategically during meetings or supervising snack breaks, Chloe is the heart and soul of Phare, reminding everyone that happiness is the most important KPI.