Our Story

Applied HR Strategies, Inc. is a compensation consulting firm with expertise in developing strategic compensation plans and programs that enable businesses to achieve their objectives and value the talents, experience and efforts of their workforce. At AHRS, we specialize in developing highly customized compensation strategies and solutions specific to our clients. We do this by listening, learning, and collaborating with you, analyzing critical information, leveraging diverse perspectives, practices and research, and working as team of experts to provide you with recommendations that are relevant, affordable and of the highest quality.

Our consultative approach enables us to provide positive experiences, grow and innovate together, raise up our industry, and build strong partnerships and long-lasting relationships with our clients!

Founded in 1999 by Doug Sayed, we have been in business for over 20 years advising over 200 northwest companies in all aspects of compensation and total rewards, from ground-up compensation program creation (one of our specialties) to the development of incentive, stock/equity, sales, executive, and board compensation programs. We are truly honored to be highly regarded as pay-for-performance experts in the Seattle market with an extensive portfolio of projects, partners, clients and industries ranging from technology, gaming, healthcare, life sciences, nonprofit, to manufacturing and more.

Get to know our experienced and knowledgeable team and how we can support you with our collection of consulting services!

Doug Sayed

Founder / Managing Principal

Jill Odegard

Partner / Principal Consultant

Julie Hamlin

Senior Consultant

Doug's Bio

Doug is the Founder and Managing Principal at Applied HR Strategies, Inc., a compensation consulting firm based in Kirkland, WA. Prior to founding AHRS in 1999, Doug spent 15 years in corporate HR positions including Head of HR for a software company, Comp and Benefits Manager, and HR Generalist in the banking industry. Over his 30-year career, Doug has gained substantial experience in benefits, performance management, recruiting, employee relations, OD, and training along with his expertise in development of compensation strategies and programs, cash comp plans, incentive/variable comp, stock/equity, and sales, executive, board compensation for 150+ clients.

Since 2006, Doug has been a faculty instructor, a technical publications reviewer, and has published articles in WorkSpan at WorldatWork, the largest international association for compensation and rewards professionals. Doug also previously served on the board and as 2011 President with the Northwest Compensation and Rewards Forum. Doug earned a Master’s degree in HR management from Ohio State University, and later received nationally-recognized certifications as a Senior Human Resources Professional (SPHR), SHRM Sr. Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and Global Remuneration Professional (GRP).

Contact Doug by email or our Contact page.

Jill's Bio

Jill is a Partner and Principal Consultant at Applied HR Strategies, Inc. and brings over 20 years of experience in the Compensation and Total Rewards arena, as well as a comprehensive HR Management and Generalist background. Jill has consulted with organizations in numerous industries with AHRS since 2005 and has expertise and interest in working with high-growth technology, gaming, and life science companies.

Jill’s passion and experience spans widely across many areas of compensation including; total rewards strategy, competitive analyses, comp plan development, sales and executive comp, variable and incentive pay, stock option plans and merit pay programs. Jill has a knack for using her technical knowledge and strategic talents to partner with her clients to solve complex issues and deliver valuable business solutions.

Jill holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Human Resources from Central Washington University, and has achieved her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) certifications.

Contact Jill by email or our Contact page.

Julie's Bio

Julie is a Compensation Consultant at Applied HR Strategies, Inc. and has over 10 years of experience in Human Resources. Originally a client of AHRS, Julie decided to expand her career and join the team in 2016. She has had the pleasure of working with companies in several different industries including start-ups, technology, non-profit, healthcare, and life sciences. Julie loves working with clients to build customized compensation solutions and she specializes in compensation and total rewards strategies, competitive market analyses and compensation plan development.

Julie holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business – Human Resources Management from Western Govenors University.

Contact Julie by email or our Contact page.