Vanessa Phung is a people-first leader who believes that meaningful work begins with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. With over a decade of experience across organizations of all sizes, Vanessa’s journey into HR and entrepreneurship is deeply personal — shaped by self-discovery, resilience, and a desire to help businesses grow while honoring the humans behind them. Her story resonates strongly with the Humans of Fuzia community, inspiring women (and allies) to lead with courage, compassion, and clarity in a rapidly evolving world of work.
Q: What inspired you to start your journey in HR and eventually entrepreneurship?
Vanessa: I actually found HR by accident. When I was an undergrad, I had no idea what I wanted to do — I even thought I was going to be a pediatrician at one point. After trying multiple majors, a friend encouraged me to take an HR class, and I completely fell in love with it. Human resources felt like solving a jigsaw puzzle — no two problems are the same, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s what kept me curious and motivated throughout my career.
Q: How did your career evolve from there?
Vanessa: I’ve worn many hats — recruiting, compensation design, HR systems, training, and business partnering. I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies and very small teams, and what I learned is that people are people, no matter the company size. Eventually, I pursued my MBA with an HR concentration and stepped into senior leadership roles. About a year and a half ago, I decided to start my own fractional CHRO firm because I saw so many growing companies that needed HR leadership but couldn’t afford a full-time executive.
Q: What does PeopleHaven stand for?
Vanessa: PeopleHaven exists to support companies that want to make the world 1% better. The name itself is deeply personal — it’s connected to my father, who passed away, and reflects my desire to create something meaningful. I wanted to build a space where organizations could grow responsibly, scale with intention, and stay aligned with their mission and values.
Q: What has been one of your proudest milestones as an entrepreneur?
Vanessa: Honestly, it’s not just landing big clients — it’s being able to say no to the ones that don’t align with my values. Entrepreneurship has been a journey of self-growth and self-discovery. Surviving the first year, staying authentic, navigating imposter syndrome, and defining sales in a way that feels true to who I am — those are the real wins.
Q: What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Vanessa: I love seeing more women step into leadership, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering and technology. I’ve often been the only woman — and a minority — in executive rooms, and it’s not easy. But women bring incredible perspective, data-driven thinking, and strength to leadership. What’s important is that we truly uplift each other instead of tearing each other down. Progress happens when we pay it forward.
Q: What message would you like to share with future women leaders?
Vanessa: Don’t be afraid to be who you are. For years, I was told to act, dress, and speak a certain way. Over time, I realized that authenticity and leadership are not opposites. You were hired for who you are — your job is to bring that fully into your leadership style and help others grow alongside you.
Q: What does success mean to you today, both professionally and personally?
Vanessa: Success is fulfillment. Professionally, it’s about growing PeopleHaven in a way that allows me to help more mission-driven companies and eventually build a team that shares the same vision. Personally, it’s about living in the moment. Entrepreneurs are always thinking ahead, but true success is being able to slow down, enjoy the journey, and feel joy in the life you’re building.
“Success, to me, is fulfillment — knowing that I’m living authentically, helping others grow, and truly enjoying the moments along the way.” — Vanessa Phung
Connect with Vanessa Phung
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaphung
- Website: https://peoplehaven.com
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