About

For leaders and organizations who know their workplace could be better but lack the candor to fix it, Njsane Courtney is the trusted authority on leadership and workplace culture who says what others will not, and helps leaders find the courage to do the same. Not to tear companies down, but to make them places people actually want to work, backed by the operating experience of someone who has actually run the function at scale.

Njsane brings more than 20 years of global human resources leadership, most recently as Vice President of Human Resources at the American Bureau of Shipping, where he leads the people function across 41 countries in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with a workforce of thousands. Earlier in his career he held HR leadership roles at Pacific Drilling and Champion Technologies, and began his career in retirement and total rewards consulting at AIG VALIC. Along the way he has twice rebuilt the HR business partner function into a genuinely strategic capability, and guided organizations through multiple cross-border mergers and acquisitions, leadership transitions, and culture change efforts.

He holds an MBA from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business and is currently completing a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. He is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a Certified Executive Coach through the International Coaching Federation, HR M&A Certified through IMAA, and has been recognized in Marquis Who's Who in America. He is also a United States Army veteran.

In parallel to his corporate career, Njsane founded My Friend in HR, a podcast, newsletter, and speaking platform built on straight talk and real trust. He hosts SHRM Talent's main stage and contributes to SHRM People + Strategy. He is currently writing a series of books on courageous leadership and workplace culture. More on the book series as it develops.

He is based in Houston, Texas, and believes deeply that people who are led well choose to give their best — not because of fear or authority, but because someone finally told them the truth and respected them enough to help them do something about it.

What Colleagues Say

"I depend on Njsane's professionalism, intelligent insights, passion, and sense of teamwork to support my organization on a daily basis. Writing as an employee that Njsane helped onboard, I know from both the management and personnel side, there is no better HR professional than Njsane Courtney."

A C-Suite Leader

"He doesn't just talk about developing leaders, he builds the forums and opportunities to do it. Day-to-day, he's a trusted, steady partner on complex issues: he rapidly aligns the right resources, keeps stakeholders informed, and handles sensitive topics with equal parts candor and care."

Ethics & Compliance Executive

"He has a rare ability to balance data-driven decision-making with a personable, approachable style that makes people feel valued and heard. As a presenter, he shines — whether he's speaking to a room of executives or leading a training session, he communicates complex ideas in a clear, engaging, and impactful way."

Senior Operations Executive

"I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with him for almost 10 years. His passion for team-building is unrivaled, and he is capable of building strong relationships at every level of the business."

Total Rewards Executive

"Njsane is truly a leader among leaders. He has an incredible ability to build trust, even in the most challenging situations, and uses that foundation to bring people together. In high-pressure moments, he's the steady voice of reason and the calming presence that helps unify the team."

Talent Acquisition Executive

"He is one of the most inspiring leaders and mentors I've ever met. His presence creates an atmosphere of positivity, trust, and growth — a workplace where you genuinely want to build your career. He leads with ethics, reliability, and a deep sense of care for the company as a whole."

Senior Engineering Professional