
The People Advisory Group
When people feel valued, supported, and connected, they do their best work.
Our Story:
People Advisory Group was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: people are an organization’s greatest advantage.
We’ve spent decades working alongside leaders across industries—from fashion retail to healthcare, professional services to venture-backed startups. And in every setting, one truth stands out: when individuals feel valued, supported, and connected, they do their best work. And when people thrive, businesses thrive.
We created People Advisory Group to help organizations unlock that potential. Through candid advice, deep listening, and tailored strategies, we bridge the gap between people and business outcomes, turning human potential into lasting performance.
Our Values:
Our values are more than just words. They’re how we show up in every conversation, engagement, and partnership:
Collaboration
We work with you, not just for you. Partnership is our default setting.Innovation & Creativity
We bring fresh thinking and custom solutions to every challenge.Authenticity
We show up as ourselves and encourage others to do the same.Courage
We have the tough conversations, challenge assumptions, and lead with honesty.Integrity
We do what we say—and say what we mean—with transparency and trust.And A Sense of Humor
Work is serious. We don’t have to be. Humor keeps us grounded and connected.
The Principals
HUMAN RESOURCES, EXECUTIVE COACHING, EXECUTIVE SEARCH
Melissa Wallace
As a businessperson who has always been fascinated by human behavior, Melissa has invested 30+ years leading HR teams. She’s been fortunate to have worked with and learned from inspirational CEOs in family-owned companies, start-up growth brands, and global public corporations. She’s worked in companies that acquired other businesses, were sold, and went public.
As an HR generalist leader with some amazing HR teams, she has developed strategic plans and budgets, created new departments, opened distribution centers and EComm teams, and managed HR operations. She’s been focused on talent acquisition, learning & development and succession planning. She’s led Total Rewards (benefits, compensation and recognition), employee engagement, associate relations, HRIS launches and initiated DEI.
Melissa believes in setting people up for success so they can build successful brands and deliver results. She enjoys adding value to companies by recruiting and developing teams with cross-functional leaders, resulting in positive cultures.
The Wallace Group, LLC
Her consulting practice applies all of the HR and leadership experience she has developed over her career. They can help you with HR projects, talent acquisition, succession planning, executive coaching, and interim or fractional HR needs.
Click here to contact The Wallace Group, LLC.
Get to know Melissa:
Melissa has a BA in Psychology, a PHR from the Society of Human Resources and is a Certified Executive Coach. She is married with a daughter/son-in-law (and grand puppy) and a son / his fiancé. She is the family photographer and an avid traveler. She loves concerts, Broadway shows, physical fitness, cooking, beach walking, interior design, and is a NY Mets and NY Giants fan.
Specific areas of expertise include:
Global HR Leadership | Performance Management and Succession Planning | Organizational Design | Talent Management | Employee Engagement & Experience | Strategic Planning & Execution | Learning & Development | Talent Acquisition & Retention | Executive Coaching | Talent Development | Associate Relations | Mergers & Acquisitions | Change Management | People Operations | Team Building & Leadership | Total Rewards
HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE, COACH, CONNECTOR
Zuzel Prieto
As an accomplished human resources executive, I offer a wealth of global experience in shaping HR strategy and driving transformative organizational effectiveness while leading corporate change across operations worldwide. Throughout my career, I have managed complex projects, influenced executive decision-making, and improved global cross-functional collaboration. Recognized as an innovative business partner and executive advisor, I mentor, motivate, coach, and develop executive and world-class teams while advocating a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
My experience is vast. I have delivered strategic HR business partnerships to global shared services and creative functions, leading teams across regions to deliver on-time and cost-effective measures. I lived abroad in Hong Kong, working closely with the Managing Director and his executive team to deliver organizational best practices across all the Asia Sourcing organizations. I have also led teams supporting groups across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, dealing with highly complex and confidential projects across countries like Italy and Argentina, where employment laws are more formidable. I have both M&A and Divestiture experience, having been part of over 5 major acquisitions like Kate Spade and Lucky Brand Jeans and as the HR lead for the sale of a brand to a private equity firm. I led HR teams to support retail/field organizations of up to 10,000 at peak season across North America and Europe for full-price and outlet stores. Drove key initiatives to build talent and business efficiencies. Earlier in my career, I handled labor relations and had accountability for over 7 distribution centers while managing relationships with three different unions.
Get to know Zuzel:
I have a BA in both Psychology and Sociology. I am certified to facilitate many programs like Myers=Briggs, Strengths Deployment Inventory (SDI), Situational Leadership, and ValuEthics programs. I am bilingual (fluent in Spanish) and live in New Jersey. I am a zealous traveler and have used my bilingual skills in many of the countries I have visited (both personally and professionally). As cliché as it sounds, I have a passion for and thrive when I travel to different parts of the world, learning about the culture and history of a place. I have been on 5 continents, traveled to over 50 countries, and have been to 36 states. I love photography, music, dancing, cooking, and watching sports, especially if any of my NY/NJ teams are playing.
Specific areas of expertise include:
Global HR Leadership | Strategic Planning & Execution | Organizational Design | Talent Management | Employee Engagement & Experience | Learning & Development | Recruitment & Selection | Talent Acquisition & Retention | Leadership Coaching & Mentoring | Talent Development | Performance Management | Employee & Labor Relations | Business Transformation | Mergers & Acquisitions | Divestiture | Change Management | People Operations | Team Building & Leadership | Data Analysis