About Nicole Hullihen
Nicole Hullihen currently serves as the chief operating officer at OnTheClock, a rapidly growing SaaS company that provides an innovative solution for workforce management to over 150,000 people. Since joining the company five years ago, Hullihen has played a pivotal role in transforming OnTheClock from a small startup to a thriving industry leader, growing the team from eight to 23 employees and leading them through two consecutive years of recognition as one of Crain’s Best Places to Work in southeast Michigan. She’s led the company to operational excellence, becoming a trusted provider to thousands of businesses, and works with her team to achieve an ambitious goal to expand to 1 million users.
With nearly two decades of experience spanning multiple industries, Hullihen brings a deep understanding of business analytics, operational efficiency, and organizational development to her leadership role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baker College and a MBA from Macquarie University, which has given her a unique perspective on the intersection of human behavior and business strategy.
Her career journey began in automotive, then a break into entrepreneurship, and back to a more corporate stay in pharmaceutical, biotech, luxury goods, and now SaaS. She has excelled in various roles requiring leadership, analytical, and problem-solving ability. During this time, Hullihen became known for her ability to implement robust processes, develop high-performing teams, and drive business performance through data-driven decision-making. These experiences not only honed her technical skills but also solidified her reputation as a leader who can bring order and strategy to complex, fast-paced environments.
Having barely survived two near-death experiences, she learned firsthand that life offers no guarantees and that realization reshaped her approach to everything. In those moments, it became clear that excuses hold no place in her life—only action and relentless pursuit of goals. Each day is an opportunity never to be wasted. Nothing is impossible with unwavering determination and freight train mentality. Her mantra is, “If you want it, go get it.”
“Nicole Hullihen is the most ambitious woman I know. Her mastery of leading, mentoring, and caring for her team is the fruit of her ambition. Leading our team with her is a true honor!” says Dean Mathews, CEO and founder of OnTheClock.
Five years ago, Hullihen joined OnTheClock when the company was still operating as a startup. Tasked with shaping its operations for growth, she wasted no time designing and implementing structures, performance measurements, and scalable processes that could support the company’s rapid expansion. Her keen eye for operational efficiency and ability to align teams with the company’s vision led to her promotion to chief operating officer within just one year of joining the company. As COO, she oversees all operations, ensuring the business remains agile, efficient, and prepared to scale.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, Hullihen is a leading figure in the Microsoft Excel community. Her first corporate position began with Excel work all day, every day, and the steep learning curve kick-started her decision to become a self-taught expert. She can now do just about anything imaginable with a spreadsheet, and in 2024, she was honored with the prestigious Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award for her extensive contributions to the Excel ecosystem. Leveraging her deep expertise under the business Xecute the Vision, she has built a growing, loyal following of almost 400,000 people across social media, where she shares advanced Excel tips, tutorials, and productivity hacks. Her influence in the Excel community extends beyond social platforms, as she also offers a comprehensive Excel course and workbook and authored a step-by-step e-book on her website, designed to equip learners of all levels with the skills needed to maximize the power of Excel in their work.
When she isn’t leading OnTheClock or creating Excel videos, she advocates for supporting others’ growth and development in the workplace. She blends her background in psychology with her leadership philosophy to create inclusive, supportive environments that empower individuals and teams to thrive. She’s recently launched a recurring live Excel training webinar that is free to anyone who wants to nerd out with her and learn the best tips and tricks to be more efficient and effective at work.