About WNDR
A bit more info, for those who are curious.
About Me.
I’m Lindsay Peens, founder of WNDR People—built on the belief that work should spark curiosity, connection, and a little bit of wonder. With a background in psychology and HR, I don’t just build HR functions—I create people strategies that scale with your business and actually make sense. My thing? Partnering with start-ups and growing companies who’ve outgrown the chaos and need structure, fast—but without the corporate BS. I’ve spent 15+ years turning blank slates into bold, people-first systems that fuel culture and growth. If you’re ready to ditch the tick-box HR and build something real, I’m all in.
My Career Journey
2008-2012
Psychology & HR
Curtin University
Because one degree at a time wasn't enough, I buckled down and completed a five year double degree; Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources & Industrial Relations). I've applied more from what I learnt in psychology than HR to my career.
2013 - 2014
Recruitment Consultant
Talent
Nothing is more HR baptism by fire than launching your career in the HR world as a recruitment consultant with global leader in technology resources.
I learnt relationship and stakeholder management quick and fast, how to work under pressure and how to adapt to dynamic people.
I focused on technology roles within the resources sector in WA, and after moving to Sydney, digital technology roles in the digital tech sector.
2014 - 2018
People Adviser, L&D Co-ordinator and HR Business Partner
KPMG
I learnt my HR fundamentals working within a team of 120 exceptional HR professionals. Working in a grass roots role (People Adviser), my love for systems, processes and data analytics was born. Moving into L&D (L&D Co-ordinator), I developed a passion for supporting the growth and development of high performing teams. My role as a HR Business Partner for more than 300 staff, solidified my love and passion for driving high performing teams in complex environments.
2018 - 2020
Group HR Manager
The Brand Agency
My first foray into establishing and running a HR function solo. This was a steep learning curve and another industry to learn. Advertising taught me to be creative, thinking outside of the box for new solutions. I learnt about strategy, coaching and developing outstanding leaders, and the art of the no BS approach - it was terrifying!
Key achievements:
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Digitising the entire HR process, including the implementation of a new HRIS for 200+ staff, across three offices (including one international office).
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Delivering multiple leadership workshops to drive a successful people strategy, creating a collaborative leadership team.
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Established and implemented a cyclical annual review process including performance reviews, remuneration reviews and goal setting, digitising the program for the first time.
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Established a cultural feedback tool, working closely with organisation leadership to actively implement changes in response feedback.
2020
Parental Leave
I had my first child in 2017. My second baby collaborated with Covid.
2021 - 2024
Head of People & Culture
Varsity Group
Responsible for the entire HR function, my handover and role description was an A4 piece of paper from the Operations Manager that was a brain dump of where HR was at. And I loved it. Again, another industry to learn, but this time within a rapidly growing business that knew how to hit the culture markers. The team weren't afraid to try new things and so my cooking improved parallel to my confidence as a leader. My beer pouring skills are still questionable.
The best part of this role? Partnering daily with the Operations and Finance teams in a rapidly scaling business. Learning the nuts and bolts of business. It was once described to me as an "MBA on steroids".
Key achievements:
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Establishing an entire HR function (team of 5 at my departure) from an A4 piece of paper.
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Fully integrating and scaling a HRIS for a team of 400+ staff across 8 venues.
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Developing a full brand strategy, including EVP, that is still used to market both the brand and the employee experience.
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Leading the people strategy through a large scale business acquisition, ensuring minimal impact to existing operations and people.
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Having free-reign to design and develop unique, high performing recruitment strategies and campaigns during a global pandemic and labour crisis.
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Establishing an entire learning and development function, including full onboarding journey, learning management system, apprenticeships program and online learning modules.
2024-2025
People & Development Manager
Clayton Utz
Current
Founder
WNDR People
I took on a parental leave cover to rejoin a large HR function, back in the corporate world. Working across a diverse portfolio of clients, and leading a high performing team, I fostered early and significant relationships with exceptional stakeholders. Regarded for my pragmatic approach and mentoring style, I supported my clients through:
Key achievements:
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A large-scale departmental restruture that set the precedent for the broader organisational structure.
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Partnered with a new leader to bring stability and calm to a business function that had experienced significant change and disruption, redefining business processes, strategy and approach.
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Led firm-wide people initiatives including Respect @ Work changes (Contact Officer training), Casual Conversion, and Partner Onboarding projects.
If you've read this much, cudos! You would have likely also read the homepage and About Me section up top. If you're still wondering what WNDR is, then best get in touch to chat - either we need to work together or I need to do a better job of explaining what I do.