KnowHR is a product of iFractal. Here are the Fractals who contribute to advancing the thinking about human resources. We don’t do it the traditional way. After all, iFractal means interrupt the pattern.

Frank Roche – Partner

Frank’s career has had a few twists and turns. He started out as a polymer physicist. Worked as a director of Total Quality. And he’s spent a long time in HR communications. All of that was preparation for when Sarah and he cooked up the idea for iFractal over a hot chocolate at a book store six years ago. Prior to interrupting the pattern at iFractal, Frank led Mercer’s Human Capital Practice in the Netherlands and was the Communications Leader for Continental Europe. Prior to that, he worked at Hewitt Associates, where we was a member of The Ownership Network and the Client Training and Learning Network. Frank has a B.A. in communications and an M.A. in journalism and mass communications from the University of South Carolina. He also has a degree in chemistry.

Frank was a professional dog handler for a number of years. And he’s an origami master.

Sarah Chambers – Partner

Sarah founded iFractal with Frank nearly six years ago after spending a career in executive compensation, where she implemented HR transformation strategies at PwC, and led a national Compensation Communication Practice at Mercer. Sarah has a B.A in psychology from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Her MBA work concentrated on HR systems.

Sarah has won numerous awards for her communication work, including the Gold Quill for Excellence in Communications from the International Association of Business Communicators, the Apex Grand Award, and WorldatWork. She has presented at numerous professional society functions such as SHRM and WorldatWork.

When Sarah isn’t busy raising twin 10-year-olds, she spends her time thinking up innovative HR ideas. And buying really cool shoes.

Peter-Mark Verwoerd – Senior Systems Architect

Peter-Mark has a M.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. His undergrad majors, also from Penn, are in Biology and Theatre. How many people do you know who got recruited to medical school and could stage Hamlet at the same time? Peter-Mark is a real Renaissance Man.

Fluent in several computer languages, Peter-Mark has lived around the world and can also speak many languages, including Spanish, French and English. His polyglot approach to all he does makes his programming unmatched. Prior to joining iFractal, PMV (as we call him) spent several years writing sophisticated and demanding code for the American railroad system. His code helped move tens of thousands of rail cars in a complicated chess game across the country.

Peter-Mark is a movie and theater buff. And he’s an avid gamer. He’s a hockey fan, too. (He’s from Canada.)

Charlie Chambers – Chief Technologist

Charlie graduated from Harvard with an A.B. in philosophy. He’s the guy you’d want on your Jeopardy! team. He also has a M.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Charlie is responsible for all aspects of iFractal’s software development.

In addition to his programming work at iFractal, Charlie has also created some of the most downloaded software on the web (not that kind of software). His Sun Tracker and Lyrics Scraper were perpetual favorites on Yahoo Widgets. He built one of the top iPhone apps in the first three days that the iPhone was out in 2007. The software organized early applications and was featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, and on many technology sites. In addition to his technology work, Charlie has been an Education Director at The Philadelphia Zoo, Communication Director at The Franklin Institute, and Exhibits Director at The Henry Ford Museum.

Dan Kruse – Senior UX Designer

Dan creates products that make software users say, “Wow.” With his degree in Digital Communications from Lebanon Valley, he knows how to turn “complicated” into “simple” and how to make “simple” downright easy. Since he knows both aspects of user experience (UX) (the intersection of design and usage), Dan applies a simple aesthetic to all of iFractal’s software.

Dan has taught UX and design at the university level. Prior to iFractal, Dan ran his own very successful web design company.

Shawn Hileman – Art Director

Shawn’s an artist on many fronts. In addition to his mastery of graphic design, he also builds furniture, takes photographs, writes songs, and plays guitar in a band. Shawn graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with concentrations in photography and graphic design. He shares a huge artist’s loft in Philadelphia with his cat, Esme. When Shawn’s not hung over from a 40-hour designing binge, he likes to write about design…and then design that.

Jessica Chappell – Senior Writer

Jessica rocks garments…and words. She started her career as a fashion designer with a degree from The Art Institute. She applies that aesthetic to the words she rips onto pages. Jessica knows how to cut up English phrases on pages and sew them into something new. And don’t think you can outrace her. She was once a bike messenger.

Bethany Marzewski – Senior Writer

Bethany has a flair for writing and a flair for marketing. A graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism with a concentration in magazine journalism, she was better known as the most “Official Band Geek,” the most spirited member of the marching band. In addition to her writing and visual communication approach, Bethany also applies her boundless energy to marketing and social media ideas. We call her Agent 94 at our shop. You’ll have to ask her why.

Andy Schulz – Visual Communication Specialist

Andy knows how to make words sing. Actually, he also knows how to sing. And play the guitar. Left handed. Andy earned his degree in psychology from Pitt, and studied graphic design at The Art Institute. His role as a visual communication specialist means that Andy is always thinking in pictures. Besides graphic design, Andy also makes movies, like HR Bobbleheads.