The People Group Begins
Toronto, ON — December 1st, 2025 — In a move set to redefine what founders can expect from strategic People & Culture support, two of Canada’s most forward-thinking HR consultancies, Hearth HR, led by Mike Daser, and Stephanie Burns HR, led by Stephanie Burns, today announced their formal merger and the creation of The People Group.
The People Group emerges as a next-generation HR advisory firm built on a simple truth: founders deserve senior-level HR guidance without the noise, jargon, or complexity. The firm will bring together Daser’s strategic, operational, and compliance expertise with Burns’ strength in communications, relationships, and founder-first advisory.
“We kept hearing the same thing: founders are tired of fragmented HR help,” said Stephanie Burns, Co-Founder of The People Group. “They don’t want templates or one-off fixes, they want a partner who can think like a leader, solve like an operator, and support like a teammate. That’s exactly what we’ve built.”
“Founders carry the entire weight of their business,” added Mike Daser, Co-Founder. “Our job is to take the HR burden off their plate entirely. With The People Group, clients get two senior advisors, global experience, and the scalable structure of a modern firm, without the full-time cost.”
The People Group is designed for high-growth small businesses, Canadian/US cross-border teams, and mission-driven organizations seeking real strategic support. The firm’s services span:
Fractional HR Leadership
Founder Advisory & Coaching
Talent, Culture & Growth Systems
Compliance, Handbooks & Policy Infrastructure
Org Design, Scaling Architecture & People Operations
Recruitment Partnerships & Strategic Hiring
The firm’s philosophy centres on Global Excellence, People-First Leadership, and Radical Clarity, providing clients with both the strategy and the hands-on execution needed to scale confidently.
About The People Group
The People Group is a founder-focused HR advisory firm headquartered in Toronto. Co-led by seasoned HR executives Mike Daser and Stephanie Burns, the firm delivers modern, strategic, and operational HR support for small businesses, scaleups, and global teams. The People Group operates with a simple principle: Trusted global HR advisors who handle everything so founders can breathe.