The Culture Strategy
Everyone in the room was hanging on her every word!
Erica A.
I can't wait to go and try out what I learned in her session!
Jennifer H.
She made a really complex topic feel simple and manageable.
Laura K.
Hello! It's Nice To Meet You
Abagail McKiernan is a Strategist Culturist, founder, speaker, and upcoming author who helps organizations transform the way they work by aligning culture with compassion, communication, and connection. She partners with companies and communities to not only inspire—but to implement—lasting strategies that make cultures stronger, more human, and more effective.
As the founder of HelpLink and Spark in the Dark, Abagail has redefined how businesses and communities approach giving, engagement, and employee well-being. Through these organizations, she has facilitated the meeting of more than 100,000 real needs, proving that culture isn’t built in slogans—it’s built in action.
Her work is grounded in the belief that strategic giving and empathy are powerful levers for growth, retention, and impact. By designing cultures where care and accountability go hand in hand, she helps leaders move beyond performative perks and into purposeful transformation.
Abagail’s expertise makes her a trusted partner for executives and HR leaders who want to strengthen retention, attract top talent, and elevate their reputation as employers of choice. Whether consulting one-on-one with leadership teams or speaking on global stages, she equips organizations with the mindset and tools to create cultures where people thrive—and where businesses see measurable returns.
Where It All Began
"I set out on a mission in 2017 to make sure that everybody had somebody in their time of need. I was deeply in need of help and community myself and struggled to find the support I needed in a way that offered any level of dignity and respect. I found only judgement, bad advice, and criticism from the organizations designed to assist others. When I couldn't find a better way, I decided I would make one myself... and so I started a Facebook group called Spark in the Dark, designed to connect those in need with those who could help. Now a grass roots movement, Spark has helped meet over 140,000 needs since we began and recently rebranded to scale nationally and help even more people across the country.
HelpLink is now a tech-enabled nonprofit platform that helps businesses, nonprofits, and communities coordinate in one space to deliver fast, dignified, and discreet help before it's too late.
For businesses, HelpLink makes it possible to prioritize charitable giving in a way that directly supports staff in need first, then extends into broader community impact.
