Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Elizabeth Wood partners with senior executives and first-time CHROs to build people strategies that transform organizations from the inside out.
About
Elizabeth Wood founded Painted Hills Consulting after a distinguished career as a senior HR executive across some of the world’s most recognized retail and consumer brands.
She has held CHRO and EVP-level roles at Levi Strauss & Co., Toys R Us, Warnaco, and Brooks Brothers—leading all aspects of human resources and managing global teams on three continents.
Today, Elizabeth partners with first-time CHROs, advises on HR operating models, leads organizational transformation, conducts executive search, and designs learning initiatives that create lasting impact.
Services
Strategic counsel for first-time CHROs navigating board dynamics, organizational politics, and the strategic weight of the role.
Designing HR organizations that align talent strategy with business ambition and deliver measurable results.
Guiding leaders through cultural reinvention, post-merger integration, and large-scale change.
Identifying exceptional senior leaders who don’t just fill roles—they redefine them.
Developing authentic leadership presence, strategic clarity, and the capacity to lead through uncertainty.
Bespoke leadership development programs that build organizational capability at every level.
Past Engagements
Elizabeth partnered with the leadership team of a major national retailer to realign HR strategy with core business objectives, reshaping team structure, elevating talent assessment practices, and strengthening partnerships across the C-suite.
Brought in as a subject-matter expert to design a new operating model for a leading telecom’s global Learning organization, redefining team structure, governance frameworks, and the leadership development ecosystem across a large, dispersed workforce.
Guided the CHRO of a private, founder-led company through the complex human capital demands of IPO readiness, ensuring HR workstreams were built to withstand the scrutiny and pace of going public.
Designed a comprehensive Talent Planning process for a first-time CHRO, including CEO succession planning, Leadership Team assessments, and a restructured HR function positioned to drive long-term strategic impact.
Delivered high-impact learning sessions at a top-tier Professional Services firm, equipping senior consultants with advanced skills in client relationship management, negotiation, and emotional intelligence.
Collaborated directly with the COO of a national retailer to craft and execute an internal communications strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic, keeping a dispersed workforce informed, aligned, and resilient through unprecedented disruption.
Leveraged a deep professional network built over three decades to identify new business opportunities and shape compelling RFP responses for firms in learning & development and executive search.
Senior Advisor to the Terry J. Lundgren School of Retailing at the University of Arizona, partnering with faculty and students on career events, presentations, and industry partnerships. Selected as a Judge for the West Coast finals of the HULT Prize competition for student entrepreneurs in 2026.
Volunteer Roles
Certified in 2020 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, providing mentoring and support services to teenagers in the Pima County foster care system. Nominated twice as CASA of the Year by representatives from the Department of Child Services and attorneys in the Office of Children’s Counsel.
Chairs the Search Committee for executive leadership at a local non-profit, navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, engaging key donors, and serving as the liaison to state and national chapters of the organization.
Mentors former colleagues across prior organizations through career transitions, providing hands-on guidance with resume strategy, interview preparation, and professional networking.
Serves as the first point of contact for a statewide non-profit’s ethics hotline, managing sensitive complaint intake and leading investigations into allegations of leadership misconduct.
Experience
Publications
“The most powerful transformations begin not with restructuring the organization, but with reimagining what’s possible for its people. Elizabeth Wood · Founder, Painted Hills Consulting
Contact
Whether you’re stepping into a CHRO role, redesigning your HR function, or seeking a trusted advisor—Elizabeth would welcome the opportunity to connect.