You don't have to face business challenges alone.
You've worked hard to build your business. The best next step is to talk it through with a trusted partner.
business ownership isn't supposed to feel this heavy
When every decision lands on your desk, it's easy to get buried in the day-to-day while the bigger opportunities and bigger risks go unaddressed.
Maybe you're...
- Growing faster than your team or systems can support.
- Spending too much time solving operational problems instead of leading.
- Navigating difficult employee or leadership challenges.
- Unsure where your business is making or losing money.
- Preparing for growth, succession, or your next major decision.
Get experienced guidance from someone who has faced similar challenges before.
how we help at Ciel Advisory
Executive Advisory
Operational Excellence
Financial Performance
Executive guidance for business owners and leaders making important decisions.
- Executive Coaching & Leadership Support
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Development
- Change Leadership
- Succession Planning
- Business Growth
Financial Performance
Operational Excellence
Financial Performance
Improve visibility, profitability, forecasting, and financial decision-making.
- Fractional CFO services
- Cash flow
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Financial reporting
- Profitability
- KPI development
Operational Excellence
Operational Excellence
Operational Excellence
Build stronger systems, streamline processes, and prepare for growth.
- Process improvement
- Operational assessments
- Organizational structure
- Workflow optimization
- Business planning
- Performance systems
Meet Ciel Advisory
Executive expertise when your business needs it most. Growing businesses don't always need another full-time executive. They need experienced guidance from someone who understands how every part of the business works together.
Led by Candice Burris, Ciel Advisory provides executive advisory services across finance, operations, business strategy, and organizational leadership. We partner with business owners to navigate complex decisions, solve business challenges, and build stronger organizations.
When Human Resources expertise is needed, our clients are supported by Clearwater HR Consulting, Ciel Advisory's dedicated HR practice.
Together, we provide strategic HR leadership through an experienced team of HR consultants, allowing clients to access specialized expertise while working with one trusted advisory firm.
Executive Leadership
More than 25 years of executive experience helping organizations improve operations, strengthen financial performance, and navigate growth.
Dedicated HR Practice
Access an experienced team of HR executive consultants through Clearwater HR Consulting for ongoing strategic and operational HR support.
One Trusted Partner
Business strategy, finance, operations, and HR expertise working together to support every stage of growth.
HR SUPPORT THAT FEELS IN HOUSE
A trusted HR partner who works alongside your team without the cost of a full-time hire.
Ciel Advisory provides experienced HR leadership and hands-on support for employee relations, compliance, performance, policies, and everyday people challenges—without the cost of a full-time HR executive.
Tell us what’s happening. We’ll help you identify the right next steps.
Senior-Level Expertise • Flexible Monthly Support • A Dedicated HR Partner
Meet the team
Mendi Bitner - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Rachel Alegria, PHR-CA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Rachel Alegria, PHR-CA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Mendi Bitner has over 25 years of experience leading HR in both large and small organizations. As a former Chief HR Officer, Mendi has built HR functions and led HR teams many times over across a variety of industries including healthcare, IT, real estate, mental health, retail, eCommerce, and hospitality. From leading HR in teams with ov
Mendi Bitner has over 25 years of experience leading HR in both large and small organizations. As a former Chief HR Officer, Mendi has built HR functions and led HR teams many times over across a variety of industries including healthcare, IT, real estate, mental health, retail, eCommerce, and hospitality. From leading HR in teams with over 10,000 employees and helping brand new startups grow from their first employee, Mendi has seen it all. Specializing in building scalable processes for growing teams and providing coaching on employee relations issues, Mendi has a proven track record of helping organizations not only stay compliant across all 50 states but also build enduring people cultures for companies on the fast track.
Rachel Alegria, PHR-CA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Rachel Alegria, PHR-CA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Rachel Alegria, PHR-CA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Rachel is a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience driving People Operations and Strategy across startups, high-growth ventures, multi-site service providers, and global Fortune 500 companies. Her strategic, people-first approach is grounded in hands-on work across tech, retail, warehousing, e-commerce, and digital media. Rac
Rachel is a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience driving People Operations and Strategy across startups, high-growth ventures, multi-site service providers, and global Fortune 500 companies. Her strategic, people-first approach is grounded in hands-on work across tech, retail, warehousing, e-commerce, and digital media. Rachel has led HR transformations at a Target-acquired tech startup, a regional commercial installation firm, and a national beauty education company. Her expertise includes organizational design, talent strategy, compensation and benefits, workforce planning, and M&A. Known for building trust quickly and simplifying complex challenges, she delivers practical, business-aligned people solutions. Rachel is a certified Professional in Human Resources, both federally and in California (PHR-CA), and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Stacey Lisowski - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Rachel Alegria, PHR-CA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Stacey Lisowski - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Stacey possesses an extensive repertoire of strategic and operational human resources techniques, drawn from her distinguished career spanning more than 20 years in the field. As an accomplished former senior HR executive and current consultant and coach, Stacey’s methods are rooted in client partnership and include a comprehensive approa
Stacey possesses an extensive repertoire of strategic and operational human resources techniques, drawn from her distinguished career spanning more than 20 years in the field. As an accomplished former senior HR executive and current consultant and coach, Stacey’s methods are rooted in client partnership and include a comprehensive approach that integrates both strategic vision and operational excellence. She has extensive experience building scalable HR processes and functions, such as talent acquisition and recruitment systems, performance management frameworks, employee engagement programs, and learning and development initiatives. Her expertise also includes developing DEI strategies, implementing HR technology solutions, ensuring compliance with relevant labor laws and regulations, and guiding organizations through change management. Stacey leverages data-driven insights to inform decision-making, ensuring that HR initiatives are both impactful and measurable.
Motivated by a genuine passion for leadership development, Stacey guides individuals and teams by providing them with the necessary awareness, business tools, and clarity to accelerate business growth, even amid rapid change.
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Dana brings over 20 years of strategic human capital leadership, having spearheaded HR functions across fast-paced and high-growth sectors such as non-profit, technology, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing verticals. With a background as a Chief Human Resources Officer and a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, Dana has crafted a career
Dana brings over 20 years of strategic human capital leadership, having spearheaded HR functions across fast-paced and high-growth sectors such as non-profit, technology, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing verticals. With a background as a Chief Human Resources Officer and a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders, Dana has crafted a career marked by transformative change and operational excellence.
Her expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of HR disciplines, including AI integrations, strategic leadership development, executive coaching, and mergers and acquisitions. Dana is particularly noted for her ability to craft scalable human capital infrastructures that not only ensure compliance across various regulatory environments but also foster engaging, technology-enhanced corporate cultures. Her initiatives result in significant cost savings and enhanced operational efficiencies, with past projects demonstrating savings in payroll costs and vendor negotiations that dramatically improve the bottom line.
Throughout her career, Dana has built and led human capital teams with a capacity to lead through change, and leverage technology like AI to optimize HR functions and drive strategic growth.
A lifelong learner and leader, Dana holds an MBA from Western Governors University, along with certifications in strategic AI leadership from MIT Sloan School of Business, and professional Senior Professional HR certifications with the Society of Human Resource Managers and the Human Resource Capital Institute.
Melene DeWilde, SPHR - Sr. HR Management Consultant
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Melene DeWilde is a business strategist specializing in the Human Resources discipline for 25 years. Melene has worked with hundreds of corporations from startups to struggling companies trying to gain back their momentum, to successful companies catapulting into their next phase of growth. Her clients’ range from a vast array of diverse
Melene DeWilde is a business strategist specializing in the Human Resources discipline for 25 years. Melene has worked with hundreds of corporations from startups to struggling companies trying to gain back their momentum, to successful companies catapulting into their next phase of growth. Her clients’ range from a vast array of diverse industries including software, medical devices, construction, trucking, and hospitality including such brands as Clorox, Treasury Wine Estates, Morimoto’s restaurant brand in the US and abroad, Johnson & Johnson, Salesforce, NVIDIA, Wells Fargo and more. Melene’s extensive knowledge of human resources, operations and strategic business consulting has helped these and other companies in achieving positive ROI’s. Melene holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a SPHR certification (Senior Professional in Human Resources).
Maria Gurdian - Sr. HR Management Consultant
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Sarah Hermann, MBA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Maria Gurdian is a seasoned HR leader with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries including hospitality, retail, education, and manufacturing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. Throughout her career, Maria has demonstrated a successful history of pro
Maria Gurdian is a seasoned HR leader with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries including hospitality, retail, education, and manufacturing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. Throughout her career, Maria has demonstrated a successful history of providing hands-on solutions in areas such as strategic planning, talent acquisition, and performance management. She has a proven track record of opening HR departments for companies, facilitating growth from 150 to 450 employees. Maria has also excelled in managing transitions for publicly traded companies acquiring privately held ones, ensuring alignment with the new vision. Her expertise in change management and ability to work with employees at all levels makes her an invaluable asset to any organization.
Sarah Hermann, MBA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
P. Dana Stotts, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Sarah Hermann, MBA - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Sarah Hermann, MBA, is a senior HR consultant with more than 25 years of experience leading complex human resources, labor relations, compensation, and workforce strategy initiatives across multiple industries, including healthcare, technology, non-profit, private sector and public-sector environments. She has deep multi-state HR expertis
Sarah Hermann, MBA, is a senior HR consultant with more than 25 years of experience leading complex human resources, labor relations, compensation, and workforce strategy initiatives across multiple industries, including healthcare, technology, non-profit, private sector and public-sector environments. She has deep multi-state HR expertise, with extensive hands-on experience in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska along with other western U.S. jurisdictions, as well as broader national and international experience. Sarah’s background includes HR leadership roles supporting union and non-union operations, conducting high-stakes workplace investigations, developing compensation systems, managing global and domestic recruiting strategies, and guiding organizations through organizational change, employee relations matters, and regulatory compliance. She has operated at both the strategic and operational levels, serving as a trusted advisor to executives, managers, and cross-functional teams.
Bryan Reese - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Montanna Washburn - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Montanna Washburn - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Bryan Reese is a results-driven HR consultant with more than 17 years of experience helping small businesses and startups build strong, scalable people functions. Bryan brings a hands-on, business-first approach to HR consulting, talent acquisition, and career coaching.
Throughout his career, Bryan has built HR functions from the ground up
Bryan Reese is a results-driven HR consultant with more than 17 years of experience helping small businesses and startups build strong, scalable people functions. Bryan brings a hands-on, business-first approach to HR consulting, talent acquisition, and career coaching.
Throughout his career, Bryan has built HR functions from the ground up and guided organizations through major transitions, including serving as VP of HR during the acquisition of tech start-up Virbela, where he grew staff by 85% in two and a half years through tailored strategies spanning talent acquisition, employee experience, DEI, and training and development. He has also served as VP of Employee Experience at eXp Realty and as a top-producing senior recruiter with Beacon Hill Financial.
Bryan is passionate about cultivating positive workplace cultures and helping companies retain their most valuable asset: their people. Based in the Greater Seattle area, he partners with business owners to deliver practical HR solutions that let them focus on growth instead of HR headaches.
Montanna Washburn - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Montanna Washburn - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Montanna Washburn - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Montanna Washburn is a senior human resources leader with extensive experience supporting organizations through growth, change, and operational complexity. She brings a strong background in people operations, employee relations, payroll and benefits oversight, compliance, and organizational development, with particular experience in regul
Montanna Washburn is a senior human resources leader with extensive experience supporting organizations through growth, change, and operational complexity. She brings a strong background in people operations, employee relations, payroll and benefits oversight, compliance, and organizational development, with particular experience in regulated and multi-state environments.
With 20 years of industry experience and a former Director in HR, Montanna partners closely with founders, executives, and leadership teams to build practical HR foundations that support both business needs and healthy workplace culture. Her experience spans a range of industries, including financial services, healthcare and wellness, legal and professional services, consumer brands, and growth-stage organizations.
She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor, further strengthening her work at the intersection of human resources, compliance, and employment law. Montanna is known for her steady, thoughtful approach and her ability to bring clarity and structure to complex HR environments.
Sara Laiche - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Montanna Washburn - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Sara Laiche - Sr. HR Management Consultant
Sara is a senior Human Resources consultant with more than 20 years of experience partnering with organizations to build compliant, people-centered workplaces that support both employees and business success.
Sara has served organizations ranging from startups and small businesses to multi-state and large employers across healthcare, nonpr
Sara is a senior Human Resources consultant with more than 20 years of experience partnering with organizations to build compliant, people-centered workplaces that support both employees and business success.
Sara has served organizations ranging from startups and small businesses to multi-state and large employers across healthcare, nonprofit, retail, professional services, manufacturing, and other industries. She provides practical, business-focused guidance across the full employee lifecycle, with particular expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, compliance, policy and handbook development, leadership coaching, benefits administration, and HR operations.
Known for her calm, collaborative approach, Sara enjoys partnering with business leaders to navigate complex people challenges, strengthen workplace culture, and implement scalable HR practices that allow organizations to grow with confidence. She believes the most effective HR solutions balance legal compliance with empathy, clear communication, and sound business judgment.
Prior to joining the team, Sara held leadership positions including Vice President of Human Resources, Human Resources Director, and Human Resources Manager, supporting organizations across multiple states. She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources, and maintains both the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credentials.