Nicole Townsend is the founder of Experience Counts, a consulting firm launched in 2020 to help organizations strengthen culture, engagement, and performance by intentionally designing the employee experience from pre-hire through retirement. She brings 25+ years of leadership experience across human resources, marketing, and communications, helping organizations connect people, culture, and business results. Nicole began her career on the front lines at Raley’s and later returned in corporate leadership roles, ultimately serving as Vice President of Employee Experience, where she led recruiting, communications, training, and leadership development. She is the author of Just Be REAL: A Manager’s Field Guide to Making Work Count for Employees and Companies (2023), president-elect and Partnerships Chair for NAWBO Sacramento Valley, and an advocate for women’s health and neurodiversity in the workplace.More...