core values

Practical Expertise

I’m honored to have partnered with over a hundred school systems and nonprofits across the country. I’ll bring hard-earned expertise in helping you build a compelling and manageable compensation program that reflects your goals.

Collaborative

I’m a side-by-side partner who is at my best when working closely with leaders. I take an iterative approach to design and share drafts early and often for feedback.

Equity-Driven

Put simply, I do compensation work because I care deeply about pay equity. I bring a deep equity lens to the work and will help you develop your own definition of what “compensation equity” means in your specific context. I am committed to talking openly about identity, power, and privilege, including ways that our decisions might dismantle cycles of systemic oppression and advance economic mobility for women and people of color.

Accountable

I am committed to delivering a high-quality work product that we’re both proud for you to share with your team. I recognize the investment that this work represents and deliver work that is on-time, high quality, and that reflects your input.

You can count on me to:

  • Bring a systems-perspective, with an eye towards what is both effective and practical

  • Develop financial models to help you make decisions quickly

  • Facilitate leadership team decision-making that drives towards consensus and shared ownership

  • Bring an equity lens, helping you articulate your values and goals

  • Engage as an authentic and credible partner with your staff

  • Analyze large amounts of data quickly and create tools that make it easy to understand and manage

about Ben

I’ve spent the last decade designing compensation structures in school and nonprofit settings. I’m passionate about compensation equity and view Thruline as my professional contribution to our shared work of advancing social justice and economic mobility.

Past partners include national organizations trying to streamline systems, nonprofits planning for expansion, and startups trying to build their systems right from the ground up. I also work with boards to benchmark and design executive compensation packages that are fair and compelling for leaders. There is no “typical” client or project, but I’m particularly interested in working with growing nonprofits and any organization who wants to take serious action towards pay equity.

Previously, I oversaw the compensation and performance management function for 2,000 employees at Aspire Public Schools and have since led client-facing teams at EdFuel and Edgility, two national talent consulting firms. I hold a BA in English and an MA in Education Policy from Stanford University.

I live in Bozeman, Montana with my family, two cats, and three beehives. Close to home, I’m interested in social causes that promote inclusivity and preserve the spirit and natural resources of the mountain west.

Ben Crosby (he/him)