Let’s Talk About Work

Work has never stopped evolving and we’ve been studying it for decades. We have studied the interconnectivity of jobs that makes teams teams; we know what it means to build multidisciplinary organizations and to celebrate everyone’s contribution to the mission. We have the tools.

We can help you.

We’ve Been Where You Are

We know that working in HR is not easy. The Human Resources function must constantly uphold the integrity of organizational policy, build cohesion across the workforce, and align capacity to mission. We’ve been in your shoes. Our principal consultants have worked as HR professionals for some of the largest, most complex global employers in the world. We’re ready to help.

“We see Birches Group as our strategic partners — more than just a consultant. It’s not just about the numbers, there’s a conversation behind it.”

— Carla Lazarte, Head of People and Organizational Development, International Potato Center

About Our Name

The inspiration for the Birches Group name comes from the poetry of Robert Frost. In Frost’s poetry, much imagery is taken from nature including those of birch trees. Birch trees are distinctive. They are not among the largest trees in the forest, but they are among the most distinctive, flexible, and hardy. In our work with clients, we understand that organizations are not static entities, but living communities. Like a forest, organizations need to find flexibility, diversity, and a capacity of sustained renewal to remain healthy and vibrant.

“So was I once myself a swinger of birches. 
And so I dream of going back to be. 
It’s when I’m weary of considerations, 
And life is too much like a pathless wood…. 
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.”– Robert Frost

About Our Team

The Birches Group Team provides a unique combination of hands-on experience, broad-based knowledge in managing international human resources programs, and designing and implementing innovative and practical policies at some significant global institutions.

GARY MCGILLICUDDY

Managing Partner

LARS SANDGREN

Partner

LULU BELEN

Partner

JEFFREY SLATER

Partner

WARREN HEAPS

Partner

PHILIPPE FRANCEY

Senior Advisor, International Development

CURTIS GRUND

Senior Consultant, International Development

PHILLIP MANALO

Manager, Design and Strategy

MANCEL FRANCISCO
Manager and Senior Consultant, Consulting Services
WILLEM ASSELBERGS

Systems Architect, IT

RYAN SORBITO

Manager, IT

BEA BARTOLOME

Manager, International and Bilateral Organizations

CAREL ARIOLA

Manager, Corporate and Administrative Services

JANIX MACATANGAY

Manager, Business Development — Survey Growth and Client Services

PATRICK CENON

Manager and Senior Consultant, Organization Design

ILENABEL VALENZUELA

Manager and Senior Consultant, Community Skills and Performance

PATRICIA BIANCA VALENCIA

Manager, Marketing and Communications

DANIELLE DEVERAS

Manager, Survey Operations

KATE DEIPARINE

Manager, Product Development

MICHAEL YAP

Senior Business Applications Developer, IT

NEIL CORVITE
Specialist, Compensation Design

JENNY RODIL

Manager, Consulting and Projects

VITTO ANTONIO

Manager, Consulting and Projects

ROLEX BARGAYO

Senior Business Applications Developer, IT

TIMMY DE LEMOS

Manager, Business Development — Global Accounts

MARIA SHEILA DELARIARTE

Team Lead, Business Development — Global Accounts

JACQ OCAMPO
Team Lead, Business Development – Multisector for Africa, Europe, and the Middle East

STEPHANIE REYES

Team Lead, Survey Operations – Expatriate Data

ALEXIS POLICARPIO

Team Lead, Survey Operations – East Africa

TONEE BAUTISTA

Team Lead, Survey Operations – Asia and Oceania

KATRINA RUIDERA

Team Lead, Survey Operations – Latin America and the Caribbean

FRANCES LAY YU

Team Lead, Survey Operations – Survey Delivery

A black and white photo of a woman smiling.
ARCHELLE SAN JUAN

Team Lead, Survey Operations – West Africa

PHILLIP LEONARDO

Team Lead – Client Services

CHERISH OCULAR

Senior Business Applications Programmer, IT

KIPP PASCUAL

Senior Associate, Consulting and Projects

KAI DONESA

Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications

LESLIE ADRIANO

Senior Associate, Compensation Design

MAGGIE LIM

Senior Associate, Compensation Design

RODEL CABRIDO

Quality Control Analyst, Organization Design 

WESLEE LIM

Quality Control Analyst, Survey Operations

ANA TUAZON

Training Lead – Survey Operations

LOUIS ESTRADA

Training Lead – Survey Operations

Read Our Latest Insights

Explore our Insights library to see our latest thought pieces, articles, data, and best practices in the integrated workforce management for the international development community.

Salary Surveys
MANAGING COMPENSATION WHEN UNCONTROLLABLE EVENTS OCCUR

A Special Measures Policy is a way to assist managers and staff when a crisis occurs. The policy outlines what the company will do when certain uncontrollable events occur. Read more to learn about our recommendations.

Integrated Talent Management
VIRTUAL WORK – IT’S NO LONGER THE FUTURE, IT’S NOW! WHY PURPOSEFUL JOB DESIGN, NOT TECHNOLOGY IS WHAT FACILITATES VIRTUAL WORK

Just a few weeks ago, lots of companies looked at virtual work as something in the distant future, or only applicable to other organizations but not theirs. With COVID-19 suddenly keeping most of us out of our workplaces, organizations must now shift to virtual work to keep business going. But…

Salary Surveys
COMPENSATION TIPS IN WAR-TORN COUNTRIES

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have taken a severe toll in the region’s economic stability. Countries currently confronting waves of unprecedented civil wars such as Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey, along with an unprecedented flow of refugees, have achieved very minimal GDP growth in the recent years. And there…

About Our Strategic Partners

Our global scope can help you reach the local talent you need. We have built an extensive network with international and local HR and business/industry associations, constantly expanding opportunities to serve our clients and deepening relationships with our partner organizations.

Explore Our Careers

See what it’s like to work with a group of highly analytical and creative individuals who like collaborating with people and are curious about what drives work in the different corners of the world.

About Our Team

We’d love to hear from you about how we can help your organization thrive in your development efforts.