Meet Taryn Timmons Erkelens

Taryn is a People and Talent leader with over 10 years of experience building teams and cultures at high-growth healthtech and biotech companies.

She partners with founders and executives at startups on the full range of people work: hiring for hard roles, shaping culture, developing leaders, and navigating the inflection points that come with growth.

Taryn studied social and organizational psychology at NYU and holds a SHRM-CP certification and executive coaching training. She brings a hands-on, no-fluff approach: part strategist, part operator, always in it with you.

Find Taryn on LinkedIn

How I can help

Talent Acquisition

Hands-on search for high-priority and leadership roles, plus building recruiting infrastructure: processes, automation, ATS setup, and interview training for hiring teams

Culture and Values

Facilitating workshops that help teams define what they stand for and translate values into everyday operating principles

Manager Development

Training programs and ongoing coaching for first-time and emerging managers learning to lead, give feedback, and build high-performing teams

Talent Development

Career leveling frameworks, performance management, total rewards strategy, and growth infrastructure that helps companies retain and develop their best people

People Operations

Building the operational backbone of a people function: onboarding, HRIS and systems setup, policies, and the processes that keep a growing team running smoothly

Employee Relations

Career leveling frameworks, total rewards strategy, and growth infrastructure that helps companies retain and develop their best people

US & Global Expansion

Building people infrastructure for companies expanding their US and global footprint: employment setup, compliance, hiring, and onboarding whether you're entering a new market for the first time or scaling across states and borders

Change Management

People strategy and internal communications through reorgs, leadership transitions, rapid growth, and other high-stakes inflection points

People Strategy

Partnering with CEOs and leadership teams on org design, headcount planning, and the people decisions that shape how a company grows and operates

Certifications & Education

SHRM-CP
Certified Co-Active Coach Training
BA in Social & Organizational Psychology

What People Are Saying

  • Michal Shoval, VP Human Resources, Ibex Medical Analytics

    “I wanted to take a moment to express my utmost admiration for Taryn exceptional skills and expertise as an HR Leader. Over the past two years, I lead the Global HR in Ibex Medical Analytics, an Octopus venture’s portfolio company, and I have had the pleasure of working closely with Taryn.

    I have been consistently impressed by her dedication, professionalism and strategic approach to Human Resources Management. Taryn’s ability to identify and advise on complex situations is remarkable.

    She consistently demonstrate a high level of integrity, maintaining confidentiality with sensitive information and upholding ethical standards.

    In addition to her technical skills, Taryn’s ability to build strong relationships with leaders and colleagues at all levels is highly valuable.

    Taryn is an asset to any organization! ”

  • Dr. Aaron Lin, Co-Founder and COO, Mindstep

    “Taryn was instrumental to building Mindstep's culture and values from the ground up. She has incredible insight, and worked alongside our team to really develop a solid foundation for our early-stage start-up that truly was a reflection of our vision. Taryn is such a fantastic person to work with, always going out of her way to offer support and advice. She's also been a great mentor and coach to me personally, helping me grow into my role at Mindstep!”

  • Levi Epstein, Co-Founder, Inflow

    “Taryn has been a valued source of input and advice during our journey with Inflow. Taryn consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of our company's needs. Her expertise not only helped shape our talent strategy but also fostered a positive work environment. Taryn is thoughtful, considered and always brings a positive energy and attitude to every interaction.”

  • Kelly McCabe, CEO, Perci Health

    “Taryn’s super power is being able to create insanely valuable relationships within her network. We have sought her advice on multiple roles and talent challenges and she has never failed to source exactly the right advisor and help us find the optimal structure for our business and the problem we are trying to solve. Taryn is strategic, proactive and makes everything feel possible. If we are trying to figure anything out about team, target operating models, board structures / advisors Taryn is the person we would go to.”

  • Angus Barge, Co-Founder & CEO, Mojo

    “Taryn has been a wonderful support to the company for the past two years. She was able to help with all talent and people projects from high-level strategy through to day-to-day tactical work. And she would roll up her sleeves and move mountains whenever needed.

    It has been an absolute pleasure, and I hope to work with Taryn in the future too.”

  • Edmund Farrer, Co-Founder & CEO, Oto

    “Taryn has been a huge value add as our HR / People advisor. She’s helped us to successfully navigate many different HR challenges and the company is stronger as a result. Thank you!”

  • Christopher El Badaoui, CEO, LVNDR

    “Taryn has proven to be an invaluable asset to LVNDR Health, consistently delivering exceptional guidance throughout our startup journey. Her profound expertise and insights on talent acquisition, team-building strategies, and the development of a robust organizational culture have been instrumental in propelling our company forward. Taryn's support has played a pivotal role in driving our mission to revolutionize healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals.”

  • Nick De Pennigton, CEO, Ufonia

    “Taryn worked with us as our key mentor in the portfolio team at Octopus Ventures, she is great: always positive, has her finger on the pulse of current HR issues, as well as a deep network of people and experience to support our company's team growth strategy.”

  • Morgan Fitzsimmons, Co-Founder & COO, Perci Health

    “Taryn has had a tremendous impact on us as founders and in the support she's offered to our wider team. She's an exceptional networker and has the most impressive black book I've ever seen. Not only does she have impeccable talent finding and building expertise, but she's also a strategic thinker who understands the cultural and team needs of the different stages of a business. And on top of that she's a fantastic person! I highly recommend Taryn and any team would be lucky to have her.”

  • Maroof Ahmed, Co-Founder & COO, Pelago

    “Taryn is such a pleasure to work with! She has super valuable insights into all things Talent and People. I have always enjoyed all my conversations with Taryn - she would be an asset to any team!”