Madalene Carnahan is a renowned expert in total rewards strategy, executive compensation, and performance management. As a Senior Principal Consultant in P&C Global’s Organization & Human Capital practice, she partners with leading organizations across Law Firms, High Tech, Private Equity, Travel & Hospitality, and Global Logistics to design and implement forward-thinking compensation structures, benefits programs, and workforce performance strategies that drive engagement and long-term organizational success.
An Irish national now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Madalene’s career is marked by an unwavering commitment to precision, structure, and excellence—a philosophy deeply ingrained from her early years as a classical pianist. Having started piano at age four, she went on to earn a full scholarship to The Juilliard School, where she honed her skills in discipline, technical mastery, and performance under pressure—qualities that now define her approach to human capital transformation.
Madalene has held key leadership positions in world-class consulting firms and multinational organizations, where she has led enterprise-wide total rewards initiatives, compensation redesigns, and high-performance workforce transformation projects. As Director of Total Rewards Advisory at Mercer Human Capital Consulting Madalene led global teams in designing market-driven compensation structures, long-term incentive programs, and pay equity models, ensuring that executive compensation strategies aligned with corporate growth objectives. As Head of Compensation & Benefits Solutions at PwC Workforce Strategy Consulting she developed pay-for-performance frameworks, optimized benefits programs, and advised Fortune 500 firms on regulatory compliance and executive pay governance. As Senior Vice President, Talent & Compensation Strategy at Goldman Sachs Human Capital Management she played a pivotal role in reshaping global workforce compensation policies, aligning reward structures with business imperatives across multiple markets.
Madalene’s depth of expertise in total rewards, compensation governance, and workforce performance optimization makes her a trusted advisor to business leaders and HR executives worldwide.
At P&C Global, Madalene leads cutting-edge initiatives that help organizations attract, retain, and engage top talent in an increasingly competitive business landscape. Her contributions include:
- Redesigning global total rewards frameworks, leading to a 20% increase in employee retention and improved workforce engagement for P&C Global’s clients.
- Developing compensation benchmarking strategies, ensuring competitive and equitable pay structures that align with industry best practices.
- Leveraging workforce analytics to optimize performance-based compensation, leading to a 15% increase in productivity and talent mobility across multinational organizations.
Her strategic acumen and deep analytical expertise ensure that P&C Global’s clients remain leaders in talent optimization and workforce transformation.
Madalene’s commitment to excellence and continuous learning is reflected in her elite academic background and globally recognized certifications. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School, and she holds a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Strategy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
These prestigious credentials reinforce Madalene’s expertise in compensation strategy, total rewards governance, and performance management, positioning her as a thought leader in human capital strategy and workforce innovation.
For Madalene, the connection between music and business strategy isn’t just metaphorical—it’s deeply personal. A classically trained pianist from the age of four, she spent years refining her craft at Juilliard, where discipline, creativity, and adaptability were essential to mastering complex compositions. Those same qualities now define her approach to human capital consulting.
“When you’re performing a piece of music, every note has a purpose, every movement is intentional, and every musician plays a role in creating something greater than themselves. Building a total rewards strategy is no different—it’s about orchestrating compensation, benefits, and performance management in a way that brings out the best in people and aligns with the larger goals of an organization.”
Her passion for workforce transformation isn’t just about numbers and frameworks—it’s about people. Whether she’s helping an organization reimagine its approach to talent retention, designing executive compensation structures that reflect real business impact, or mentoring the next generation of HR leaders, she approaches each challenge with the same precision and artistry that once defined her time on stage.
Away from work, Madalene finds inspiration in Vancouver’s vibrant arts scene, where she frequently attends classical performances. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, she and her husband embrace the Pacific Northwest’s hiking trails and scenic landscapes, often with their children in tow. She also remains connected to her musical roots, believing that music—like great leadership—is about more than skill; it’s about listening, adapting, and creating harmony in even the most complex environments.
Her unique blend of analytical expertise, artistic sensibility, and deep commitment to fostering high-performance workplaces makes Madalene an indispensable leader at P&C Global. Whether on stage or in the boardroom, she understands that greatness comes from precision, passion, and the ability to bring out the best in others.
