Michelle Labbe, Chief People Officer at Toptal, understands that presence does not equate to productivity. Instead, she believes that strong and frequent communication, trust, and accountability drive success in a remote environment. At Toptal, a company built on a fully distributed workforce, she has been instrumental in fostering a culture that prioritizes clear goals, ownership, and meaningful engagement. Labbe's leadership focuses on attracting and retaining top talent while ensuring that remote employees remain connected and aligned with the company’s mission. Her work has positioned Toptal as a leader in talent acquisition and workplace culture transformation.
Labbe earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Arizona. Initially considering law school, she took a different path and started her career in marketing. A temporary role at Deloitte introduced her to human resources, where she discovered a passion for people operations. She later held leadership positions at Accenture and several fast-growing startups, refining her expertise in building organizational structures and corporate cultures. At Toptal, she leads the People, Recruiting, and Learning and Development teams, shaping the experience of over 1,000 remote employees while driving strategies that align talent with business goals.
For Labbe, work is more than a job—it’s a source of fulfillment. She embraces the term “workaholic” not as a negative but as a reflection of doing what she loves. Having balanced her career with being a single mother, she values the flexibility and passion that come with the right professional fit. Her approach to leadership emphasizes both structure and adaptability, ensuring that employees feel empowered in a remote setting. By championing trust and accountability over mere physical presence, Labbe continues to redefine what it means to cultivate a thriving workplace in today's digital age.