About
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
Gary is a founder and managing partner of Birches Group, based in New York. He provides executive leadership to the firm. Gary specializes in Organization Design, including Job Design, Skills Assessment, and Performance Management, and has led large-scale projects for many of our clients in these areas. Gary is the primary designer of our Community™ methodology, and an expert on the history and evolution of work. Before forming Birches Group, Gary had a long career with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), where he was responsible for compensation and HR policy.
LARS SANDGREN
Partner
Lars is a founder and partner of Birches Group, and managing director of Birches Umeå, based in Umeå, Sweden. Lars is an expert data modeler, and provides special analyses with rich, graphical elements for many of our consulting projects. He also works with clients on salary scale design. Lars is one of the architects of our survey methodology and Indigo™ software, and continues to innovate and improve our tools and systems. Prior to Birches Group, Lars was part of the team that managed salary surveys for the UN system.
LULU BELEN
Partner
Lulu is a founding partner of Birches Group. She is responsible for oversight of our Operations Center in Manila, Philippines, and works with select clients on compensation surveys and scale design projects. Lulu has worked on many projects involving staff unions and other groups where complex and difficult compensation issues needed to be addressed. Lulu was a career UN employee and part of the UNDP compensation team. Lulu splits her time between our offices in New York and Manila.
JEFFREY SLATER
Partner
Jeff is a founder and partner at Birches Group in New York. Jeff manages some of our most important client relationships with large, international public sector organizations, and oversees the development and evolution of our technology solutions to ensure alignment with client needs. Prior to forming Birches Group, Jeff gained nine years of developing market compensation experience as part of the UNDP compensation team. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and is an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar.
WARREN HEAPS
Partner
Warren joined Birches Group in New York as a partner in 2007, following a long career in Compensation and Benefits at Colgate-Palmolive. He held the position of Director, International Compensation for 10 years immediately prior to joining Birches Group. Warren has broad experience working across the globe with clients on local national and expatriate compensation projects. He leads our Business Development and Client Services teams, and manages our strategic partnerships around the world. Warren previously held leadership positions for the Expatriate Management Committee of the National Foreign Trade Council and was president of the Latin America Compensation and Benefits Forum.
PHILLIP MANALO
Senior Consultant, Business Strategy and Product Design
As the Senior Consultant for business strategy and product design, PJ focuses on the continuing evolution of our products and services, as well as providing consulting expertise in the areas of organization design, job evaluation, scale design, training, skills assessment, and performance management. PJ began his Birches Group career as a survey analyst in 2006.
MANCEL FRANCISCO
Manager and Senior Consultant, Consulting Services
Mancel leads our Consulting Unit in Manila, overseeing programs in organizational design, compensation consulting, and skills & performance assessment across all client groups. With extensive experience in the international development sector, she started her career at Birches Group as a Compensation Analyst in 2011, later becoming a Senior Analyst for our Africa survey team.
WILLEM ASSELBERGS
Systems Architect, Business Applications Development
As our systems architect, Willem has led the design, building, and deployment of a secure information platform for many Birches Group services. From our offline-capable market analysis tools to our microservices-based cloud architecture, Willem spearheaded the innovative design patterns that keep Birches Group agile. He works closely with our IT team to continuously enhance our data-driven models, which, combined with AI, are deployed for quality control and boost our user and data interfaces, providing accurate, data-driven insights into the dynamic labor markets.
RYAN SORBITO
Manager, Business Applications Development
Ryan is the leader of our information technology group in Manila. Ryan and his team are responsible for the development and maintenance of our proprietary software systems, and provides support for computer operations in Manila. Ryan began his Birches Group career as a systems analyst and has progressed to his current role over a 10-year tenure.
MARIE ANTONIO
Practice Lead, Workforce Management
Marie, as our Practice Lead for workforce management, will provide insight linking the needs of the clients on managing the workforce and the utility of the Community approach. Anchored on a job-based foundation promoting equity in job design and evaluation and ensuring a rigorous determination of equivalent worth across a multi-disciplinary workforce, the promotion of the Community approach highlights its simplicity, accessibility, and ultimately practical effectiveness. Marie, through client engagement both individually and in professional fora, articulates the strength and uniqueness of Community and builds a robust practice with current and new clients.
BEA BARTOLOME
Practice Lead, International and Bilateral Organizations
Bea is the practice leader of our business with large international public sector organizations and manages our team of project managers. She has been with Birches Group since the inception of the company and has a wide range of experience with our clients, products, and services. Prior to this role, Bea was the manager of our Manila Data Center.
CAREL ARIOLA
Manager, Corporate and Administrative Services
Carel manages our internal human resources function and is heavily involved in recruitment, skills assessment, and performance management for the team, assisting managers with all aspects of HR. She also oversees our accounting, invoicing, and facilities management in Manila.
SARMA CALITIS
Senior Consultant, General Consulting
Sarma is a seasoned compensation professional based in our Riga, Latvia, office. She leads many of our large consulting projects for international organizations and NGOs. She has also led specialized client projects and in-country surveys. Prior to joining Birches Group, Sarma was a member of the UNDP compensation team.
ILENABEL VALENZUELA
Manager and Senior Consultant, Community Skills and Performance
Lin oversees the provision of development and technical services in the Community Skills and Performance quadrants focusing on the needs of clients to recognize and enhance their workforce's capacity and achievements which contribute to the success of their organizations. She also provides advice on evolving approaches that address emerging trends in diversity and inclusion that cut across all areas of Human Resources and organization management.
BRENDA DE SOUZA
Global Relationship Executive — Business Development
Brenda leads Birches Group's engagement with multisector clients (corporate and smaller international government clients). She is responsible for developing strategies to increase market penetration in the private sector, boost survey participation, and work closely with our Business Development Teams to continuously grow our business and ensure we meet our clients’ needs.
PATRICIA BIANCA VALENCIA
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Bianca manages our Marketing Team in Manila. She crafts messaging around Community™ concepts and develops promotional campaigns answering why Community™ should be each organization’s preferred solution, focusing on its simplicity and integrated approach. She has held various roles within Birches Group since 2009, starting as a Compensation Analyst and worked her way to Compensation Team Lead, and Training Program Services Manager. In addition to her current role in marketing and communications, she represents Birches Group in international HR conferences with private sector audiences.
DANIELLE DEVERAS
Manager, Survey Operations
Dani manages our survey operations team, which is responsible for securing data, data analysis, and survey production for our surveys in over 150 countries. She began her career in Birches Group as a Compensation Analyst in our Latin America team, became Team Lead for Latin America before assuming her current role overseeing Asia and Oceania.
NEIL CORVITE
Manager and Senior Consultant, Compensation Design
Neil leads our Scale Design Team in Manila, delivering a program of compensation design projects across all three of our client groups, but has extensive experience with the international development sector. Neil began his Birches Group career as a Compensation Analyst in 2012 before becoming a Senior Analyst for our Africa survey team.
MICHAEL YAP
Senior Developer, Business Applications Development
Michael is part of our Information Technology Team in Manila. As Senior Developer, he leads the design and implementation of our web-based Community™ platform and each of its solutions.
ROLEX BARGAYO
Senior Developer, Business Applications Development
Rolex is part of our Information Technology Team in Manila. As Senior Developer, he leads the design and implementation of our web-based Indigo™ platform.
KATE DEIPARINE
Manager, Product Development
As the Product Development Manager, Kate transforms ideas into client value and drives attainment of company goals. She is the owner of the product development process, coordinates closely with various internal teams to identify market opportunities, develop business cases, define requirements, and ensure timely development, testing, and delivery to clients.
JENNY RODIL
Manager, Consulting and Projects
Jenny manages large, specialized consulting projects, and key client relationships.
ALEXIS POLICARPIO
Team Lead and Key Account Manager, Business Development—Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Alex oversees engagement activities for the EMEA region and several of our global account clients in multiple countries and sectors. She works closely with our business development team to increase survey participation and identify additional business opportunities for various Community solutions for our clients. Alex began her career in Birches Group as a Compensation Analyst under our Africa team, then as Country Surveys Team Lead, before assuming her role in Business Development.
MARIA SHEILA DELARIARTE
Team Lead and Key Account Manager, Business Development—Americas and the Caribbean
Sheila oversees engagement activities for the Americas and Caribbean region, as well as several of our global account clients in multiple countries and sectors. She works closely with our business development team to increase survey participation and identify additional business opportunities for various Community solutions for our clients. Sheila began her career at Birches Group in 2015 as a Compensation Analyst in 2015, then transitioned to Senior Account Executive under our Business Development team.
SAAB MAGORA-NAZARREA
Team Lead and Key Account Manager, Business Development—Asia and Oceania
Saab oversees survey growth and engagement activities across the Asia and Oceania region. She works closely with our business development team to grow survey participation and identify further business opportunities in collaboration with our strategic partners.
KIPP PASCUAL
Global Account Manager, International and Bilateral Organization
Kipp supports key relationships with large international and bilateral organizations.
STEPHANIE REYES
Team Lead, Survey Operations—Expatriate Data
Stephanie oversees quality control and delivery of our Expatriate compensation surveys. She has technical expertise in this area and leads a team of analysts responsible for securing data, data analysis, and survey production. She began her career in Birches Group as a Compensation Analyst in our Latin America team, then Senior Analyst before assuming her role as Team Lead. She speaks fluent Spanish.
TONEE BAUTISTA
Team Lead, Survey Operations -- Asia and Oceania
Tonee oversees quality control and delivery of our compensation surveys in our Asia and Oceania, and West African regions. She has regional expertise in these markets and leads a team of analysts responsible for securing data, data analysis, and survey production.
KATRINA RUIDERA
Team Lead, Survey Operations -- Latin America and the Caribbean
Katrina oversees quality control and delivery of our compensation surveys in Latin America and the Caribbean regions. She has regional expertise in these markets and leads a team of analysts responsible for securing data, data analysis, and survey production.
ARCHELLE SAN JUAN
Team Lead, Survey Operations -- West Africa
Archelle oversees quality control and delivery of our compensation surveys in our West Africa region. She has regional expertise in these markets and leads a team of analysts responsible for securing data, data analysis, and survey production.
FRANCES LAY YU
Team Lead, Survey Operations -- Survey Delivery
Frances oversees the quality control and delivery of our compensation surveys. She has technical expertise in our survey processes and leads a team of analysts responsible for securing data, data analysis, and survey production.
ANA TUAZON
Team Lead, Survey Operations -- Training
As the Training Team Lead for Survey Operations, Ana oversees the onboarding and development of our Compensation Analysts in-training. She ensures resources under our Survey Operations unit deliver surveys within specified timeframes and consistently meet Birches Group standards. Part of her work as the Training Lead is to guarantee our surveys align with specified growth metrics, guide survey analysts in the conduct of their survey analysis, support activities to build team capacity, and oversee the overall health of our training program. Ana began her career at Birches Group as a Compensation Analyst under our Latin America and Caribbean regional team. She then took on the role of Quality Control Analyst before assuming her current position as Training Lead. Ana also speaks fluent Spanish.
PHILLIP LEONARDO
Team Lead -- Client Services
Phil is responsible for leading and coordinating the activities of our Client Services unit and supporting some areas/functions of IT. He provides Level 2 support and works with vendors on escalated cases, as well as resolving complex and/or non-routine issues for internal and external customers. Phil provides technical leadership in the maintenance and support of all client products and services and works to improve customer support processes and practices in Birches Group.
CHERISH OCULAR
Senior Programmer, Business Applications Development
Cherish is part of our Information Technology team as a Senior Programmer. She currently leads the development and implementation of new Birches Group survey reports and enhancements. Cherish began her Birches Group career in 2015, leading the development of the early web versions of our Community™ Performance module.
KAI DONESA
Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications
Kai provides oversight on the production and quality control of various content and campaign activities of the Marketing team. Kai also provides guidance and recommendations to other teams within Birches Group and to Birches Group strategic partners to ensure that all forms of content, materials, and communications produced outside of the Marketing team maintain alignment with the organization's brand and message, as well as the company's broader corporate and marketing strategy.
MAGGIE LIM
Senior Associate, Compensation Design
Maggie provides oversight on the production and quality control of standard ad-hoc and multi-year standard salary scale design projects. She guides project resources to ensure that salary scales are delivered in a timely manner and constructed based on client requirements and builds the capacity of Scale Design resources in understanding the processes related to conducting refined market comparisons and designing optimal salary scales.
RODEL CABRIDO
Quality Control Analyst, Organization Design
Rodel is responsible for overseeing services related to the delivery of Job Design, Job Evaluation, and Grade Structure Design projects. As the Quality Control Analyst, Rodel also ensures that the testing, implementation, and delivery of Community™ projects are according to established standards and customer preferences.
WESLEE LIM
Quality Control Analyst, Survey Operations
Weslee oversees the monitoring of our survey operations team. She ensures the quality of our compensation surveys meets standard Birches Group practice and their timely delivery. Weslee also oversees the quality of employer data entries and salary survey data analysis. She helps identify issues in our data sets and recommends solutions to ensure consistent delivery of our survey product. Weslee also manages some of our client accounts, coordinating client needs with internal resources and planning the most efficient and effective process to deliver products and services.
LOUIS ESTRADA
Training Lead -- Survey Operations
As the Training Lead for Survey Operations, Louis oversees the onboarding and development of our Compensation Analysts in-training. He ensures resources under our Survey Operations unit deliver surveys within specified timeframes and consistently meet Birches Group standards. Part of his work as the Training Lead is to guarantee our surveys align with specified growth metrics, guide survey analysts in the conduct of their survey analysis, support activities to build team capacity, and oversee the overall health of our training program. Louis began his career at Birches Group as a Compensation Analyst under our Latin America and Caribbean regional team. He then took on the role of Quality Control Analyst before assuming his current position as Training Lead. Louis speaks fluent Spanish, French, Italian, and Mandarin.
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.
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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.