I'm Kraig Docherty — a Contract and Fractional Chief People Officer for CEOs, Founders, CFOs, COOs, and Boards.
I'm driven by purpose: to create the conditions for teams to do their best work. In the high-stakes moments where that's hardest — M&A, restructures, founder-led change — that means bringing order and humanity so people, and the organizations they're part of, come out stronger and whole.
For 25+ years, I've led the People side of high-stakes moments — M&A, IPO, restructures, founder-led growth, and AI-era rebuilds — across companies from 50 to 12,000+ employees in Canada, the US, and Europe.
I've worked with public companies, PE-backed and VC-funded startups, founder-led and bootstrapped businesses. I've built People functions from scratch, rebuilt teams mid-flight, untangled HR systems, and partnered with executive teams through the decisions that shape a company's future.
My background spans HR, Talent, and Operations — VP, SVP, and Chief People Officer roles. For the last seven years, I've run Why Talent, my consultancy focused on contract and fractional HR leadership for moments that matter.
How I work
- Direct, transparent, and results-focused
- Hands-on and execution-oriented
- Collaborative with executives, HR teams, and the front line
- Calm under pressure; allergic to theater
Credentials & recognition
- 25+ years in HR, Talent, and Operations leadership
- VP, SVP, and Chief People Officer roles across public, private, PE-backed, and founder-led companies
- Led the People workstream for a TSX-V listing, subsequent uplisting, and a clinic acquisition integration (Numinus)
- Led HR integration of a 9,000-person logistics M&A
- Board Member, Director-at-Large, Governance Committee Member, SMART Recovery Canada
- Board Member & Talent Buyer, Paradise Music Festival Society
- 17,000+ followers on LinkedIn writing on AI in HR, M&A integration, fractional leadership, and the CEO–CHRO dynamic
- Based in White Rock, BC. Working across Canada, US, and Europe
A bit about me
I live in White Rock, BC (Greater Vancouver), with my wife and kids. 4:30am workouts most days — I do hard things early so I can show up at my best at home and at work.
I've been DJ'ing since 1999, and producing and curating events from 100 to 5,000+ attendees since 1996. Board work with SMART Recovery Canada and Paradise Music Festival Society rounds out the picture.
I believe in clarity, context, and culture — and that the best leaders are the ones willing to say what needs to be said.
Assessments
- StrengthsFinder: Strategic · Communication · Arranger · Activator · Significance
- DiSC: Di — Action · Results · Enthusiasm
- Enneagram: Type 8, The Challenger — Assertive · Protective · Decisive · Independent · Driven