Our Spotlight series provides an opportunity to get to know the remarkable people of HRchitect. Each month, we highlight a member of our team so you can learn more about their work, their perspective, and the experiences that shape who they are.
This month, we are celebrating Cheryl Tyson, Marketing Program Manager, longtime consultant, writer, editor, and one of the many people who have helped shape HRchitect across multiple chapters of growth. As Cheryl prepares for retirement on May 1, this Spotlight is both a thank you and a celebration of the impact she has made here.
Cheryl’s career has never been defined by one title. It has been shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a steady desire to learn something new. She began in financial IT, moved into project management as a way to bridge the gap between technology and business needs, and built a career that spans consulting, strategy, marketing, writing, and leadership. At every stage, Cheryl has been motivated less by status and more by solving problems, creating clarity, and contributing in meaningful ways.
That mindset made HRchitect a natural fit. Cheryl first joined the company when it was much smaller, then later returned for a second chapter in marketing. Since coming back, she has played an important role in the growth of the marketing team, supported major initiatives like the website refresh, contributed to Tech Trends content, and helped launch strategic programs that continue to support the business today.
What stands out most about Cheryl is the way she works. She brings structure without rigidity, perspective without ego, and care without fanfare. She describes herself as a planner, but not the kind who gets stuck when plans change. Instead, she believes in replanning, adjusting, and moving forward. Just as importantly, she hopes people remember her as someone who listened and cared, which anyone who has worked with Cheryl knows is absolutely true.
Outside of work, Cheryl’s life has been every bit as dynamic as her career. She has run businesses, lived on a boat, helped build a broadband authority, raised a family through many chapters of life, and collected the kind of stories that feel impossible to fit into one conversation. As she heads into retirement, she is looking forward to more time with family, including her great-grandchildren, travel in Canada, and summer days at the lake with her boat, Dreamboat.
“If the plan doesn’t quite go according to plan, you get to replan, and that is a beautiful thing.”
Hometown:
Burlington, Ontario, Canada. That’s home for me again now, and I’m between Toronto and Niagara Falls.
A fun fact people may not know about me:
I’ve had a pretty long and winding road. At one point, I lived on a boat, helped run a charter fishing business, and somehow still found my way back to HR technology and marketing.
Favorite way to spend time outside of work:
Time with family, travel, and anything near the water. I’ve always loved boats, lake life, and being outdoors.
What I’m most looking forward to in retirement:
Seeing more of my family, especially my great-grandchildren, traveling to Ottawa and Sherbrooke, and spending more time at the lake with Dreamboat.
A song or idea that has stayed with me:
Carole King’s Tapestry. My life really has felt like a tapestry of many experiences, people, and seasons all woven together.
What is your title, and what do you do for HRchitect?
I’m the Marketing Program Manager, but my work at HRchitect has included much more than one role. Across my time here, I’ve worked in consulting, project management, writing, editing, and marketing, always trying to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to whatever needed to move forward.
How would you describe your HRchitect journey?
It has really been two meaningful chapters. I joined HRchitect years ago when the company was much smaller, then returned later in a marketing role after a season of personal change. Coming back gave me the chance to do something different, keep learning, and contribute in a new way.
What are you most proud of during your time here?
Helping grow the marketing function is high on the list. I’m proud of the work on the website, the Tech Trends content, programs like the Capturely Corporate photo program and the Raven Intel Review program, and of being part of turning good ideas into real initiatives that supported the company’s growth.
What makes working at HRchitect so special?
The people and the culture. HRchitect has always given me room to learn, contribute, and take on new challenges. I’ve appreciated the trust, the collaboration, and the willingness to keep evolving as the company grows.
What has kept you energized throughout your career?
Curiosity. I’ve always enjoyed solving the next puzzle, learning something new, and finding a way to be useful. Titles never mattered much to me. The work itself did.
What do you think your superpower is on a team?
Planning, and then replanning when life inevitably throws you a curveball. I’ve never believed a good plan has to be rigid. Sometimes the best skill is knowing how to adjust and keep everyone moving forward.
How do you hope people remember you?
As someone who listened when people spoke to me, and as someone who cared.
Cheryl’s impact at HRchitect can be seen in the programs she helped shape, the work she helped strengthen, and the people she supported along the way. We are grateful for her curiosity, her wisdom, and the calm, thoughtful presence she brought to every chapter of her work here.
Cheryl, thank you for everything. We wish you a retirement filled with family, travel, lake days, and plenty of magic.