Overview
In July 2023, Formalize (formerly Whistleblower Software), a rapidly scaling Danish Compliance Tech startup realised that they needed support to build their people function. The urgency was two-fold:
EU whistleblowing legislation coming into play created a finite scaling opportunity for their first product.
Preparing for the launch of their second product, their goal was to grow from 50 to over 100 employees.
Despite their Talent Team’s success in hiring top sales talent, there was little structure for those who came on board. Steph, as People Consultant, played a pivotal role in establishing the foundational frameworks for the People Team, ensuring a seamless transition as the company scaled.
The Challenge
Formalize was entering a critical phase of scaling, requiring solid People Operations to support its growing workforce. The challenge was to set up foundational processes that would not only serve immediate needs but also sustain future growth. Additionally, navigating organisational structure and sensitive personnel changes, particularly within the commercial team, required thoughtful leadership and strategic planning.
Steph parachuted in during a time of need, where we were busy scaling the company and holding things together. As we passed 50+ employees, it was clear that we needed more attention to frameworks and especially our onboarding processes, while looking for more talent to come in and drive the future of our People organisation. She helped us both by focusing on the most critical deliverables, by mentoring the existing people team and building the foundation for the next phase of growth.
-Christian (CJ) Jessen, Chief Financial Officer
The Solution
Steph led the development of comprehensive onboarding processes and established stable People Operations frameworks. She led sparing sessions with executives, facilitating debates and brainstorming sessions to determine optimal organisational and departmental structures. These sessions also addressed sensitive topics such as promotions and reorganisations, ensuring that decisions were made with strategic alignment, empathy and sensitivity
The Results
Under Steph’s guidance, Formalize successfully implemented foundational People Operations processes that established the foundations for the company to enter its scale-up phase. The onboarding process was streamlined, enhancing new employee ramp-up time and satisfaction. The sparing sessions led to well-informed decisions on organisational structure and personnel changes, fostering a cohesive and efficient work environment. Steph's contributions ensured that the permanent People Team could seamlessly take over and manage these processes, positioning Formalize for continued success.
‘Steph guided me and provided me with the resources and support needed to help me settle in. Steph served as a sounding board as I engaged in conversations with the leadership team, and her insights helped me navigate challenging discussions with senior leaders. Her extensive experience and empathetic approach made her an indispensable asset to the company.’
-Molly Durham, People Operations Specialist
The Future
Steph's strategic groundwork has set Formalize on a path of sustainable growth, with a solid People Operations foundation that supports its expansion. The frameworks and processes she established continue to empower the People Team to adapt and thrive. Formalize went on to raise a $34M Series B in 2025.