Jennifer McCusker, Ph.D.

Jennifer McCusker is a dynamic leader who combines creativity and operational excellence to drive real business outcomes. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Talent Management, Jennifer has distinguished herself as a trusted expert across industries, where she has successfully led transformative initiatives that have elevated both established and emerging organizations.

Jennifer's career spans leadership roles at renowned companies such as Taco Bell, PacSun, Oakley, and Blizzard Entertainment. Throughout her global career, she has built high-performing teams, designed and implemented innovative people strategies, and partnered with executive teams to create thriving workplace cultures. Known for her business-oriented approach, Jennifer is passionate about delivering impactful talent solutions that drive both employee engagement and business growth.

Her expertise is further amplified by a deep understanding of neuroscience, including co-authoring the book Psychological SAFETY in 2018. This knowledge informs her leadership style, helping her create psychologically safe environments where teams can innovate, collaborate, and excel.

Jennifer’s academic credentials include a B.A. in Psychology, along with an M.S. and Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology. She has served on advisory boards for institutions like UCI and Brandman University, and has taught courses on Experience Management, Organizational Development, Teams, and Change Management.

Today, as both a fractional Chief People Officer and consultant, Jennifer translates her experience from large, high-performing organizations to businesses looking to elevate their people strategies. Her background in navigating and shaping corporate cultures gives her a unique advantage in guiding companies through building, evolving, and maintaining strong, resilient cultures.