“I believe in creating human-centered strategies that build capacity, inspire leadership, and drive long-term success.”
Hilary Wilson is a dynamic and compassionate human resources leader with over 20 years of transformative experience across diverse sectors, including entertainment, education, public relations, nonprofit, and international luxury retail. With a unique blend of employment law expertise, labor relations insight, and talent development acumen, Hilary has established herself as a trusted leader in the HR space, known for creating people-first strategies that drive operational excellence and cultural strength.
Her career spans high-impact roles with marquee organizations such as SAG-AFTRA, The Bicester Collection, New York Islanders Hockey Club, KWI Communications, and The Task Force for Global Health. Whether leading M&A strategies for a 160K-member entertainment guild or launching the first U.S.-based HR policies for a UK-based luxury retail brand, Hilary brings vision, resilience, and integrity to every initiative she undertakes. She is also a certified Gallup Strengths Coach, leveraging this methodology to empower leaders and staff alike.
As People Advisor & Business Partner at Bicester Collection’s Belmont Park Village, Hilary played a pivotal role as the first U.S.-based HR professional in building the U.S. people infrastructure from the ground up. She translated European standards into a local context, launched inclusive leave programs, and created seamless onboarding and recruitment workflows. Her role as the U.S. employee relations expert exemplified her commitment to fostering safe, engaging, and compliant work environments.
Her time at the New York Islanders Hockey Club—a sister company to The Bicester Collection—paved the way for this opportunity. After completing a consultancy with the Islanders, Hilary was referred and hired at Bicester based on her impactful contributions and proven expertise.
Prior to that, she served as Talent Director at KWI Communications, where she scaled HR operations for a fast-growing PR startup. Under her leadership, the company expanded from 28 to nearly 90 employees and earned consecutive “Best Places to Work” awards. She introduced strategic compensation analysis, coached executives on HR best practices, and led the organization through critical COVID-era pivots with grace and foresight.
Hilary’s tenure at SAG-AFTRA showcases her deep understanding of union dynamics and change management. There, she crafted national recruitment strategies during a historic merger and spearheaded thoughtful layoff strategies that prioritized dignity and transparency. Her ability to communicate effectively across departments—from legacy recruiters to new executives—helped foster cohesion and morale during periods of immense transformation.
In every role, Hilary has shown a unique talent for listening deeply, aligning people strategies with business goals, and designing scalable, sustainable HR solutions. Her impact is felt not only through streamlined operations but also through the inclusive and psychologically safe cultures she helps build. She consistently helps executives see the bigger picture while anchoring them in empathetic and actionable leadership.
Hilary’s work is guided by her deep belief in the power of community, trust, and mental health. A family-oriented professional and passionate mental health advocate, she brings emotional intelligence to HR—ensuring policies, programs, and leadership models reflect the diverse needs of modern organizations. Whether she’s crafting performance management frameworks or guiding leaders through difficult transitions, her approach is always human-first.
Internationally, Hilary has successfully bridged HR operations across the U.S. and U.K., translating policies and practices to meet both regional compliance requirements and cultural expectations. Her work in multinational contexts positions her as a strategic partner for global organizations seeking to unify people operations while honoring local nuance.
With a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Hilary has a robust academic foundation that complements her on-the-ground leadership experience. She is also an active member of SHRM and SHRM Atlanta, staying connected to evolving industry trends and thought leadership.
Now seeking advisory or board roles, Hilary is eager to lend her decades of experience to mission-driven organizations in need of strategic HR leadership. She is particularly inspired by opportunities where she can drive growth, enable talent, and contribute to shaping forward-thinking business cultures that prioritize impact, equity, and integrity.
Character:
Hilary exemplifies integrity, compassion, and resilience, continuously advocating for ethical practices and fostering trust across all levels of an organization. Her actions consistently reflect a deep care for people and a belief in doing what’s right—even when it’s hard.
She is proud to be an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she joined Sigma Chapter as an undergraduate at California State University, Northridge.
Knowledge:
With over 20 years of experience and certifications like Gallup Strengths Coaching, Hilary brings advanced knowledge in HR strategy, employment law, and people operations across industries. Her academic and practical expertise position her as a go-to resource for innovative and compliant HR leadership.
Strategic:
Hilary is a visionary thinker who aligns people strategies with business objectives, enabling organizations to scale, evolve, and thrive. Her strategic contributions—especially during periods of growth, merger, or transition—are known to create sustainable and measurable impact.
Communication:
Hilary is a master communicator who knows how to listen, coach, and align stakeholders at all levels. Whether resolving conflicts, coaching C-level leaders, or translating complex policies into actionable frameworks, she brings clarity and empathy to every conversation.
