Top Employee Relations Experts 2025

Ritesh Seth, CEO and Co-founder of Empathy Employer, is a business leader and Organizational Culture Strategist. With over 15 years of experience guiding cross-functional teams across Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized businesses, and startups, Ritesh combines his business acumen with a passion for human resources to drive organizational excellence and employee well-being. Holding a Bachelor's in Marketing from Concord University and an MBA from Virginia Tech, Ritesh specializes in business strategy, employer branding, marketing, human resources, and leadership development. He is passionate about developing inclusive workplaces, leveraging data-driven insights to build positive organizational cultures that foster both employee satisfaction and business success. As the driving force behind Empathy Employer, Ritesh works at the intersection of business strategy and HR, developing innovative tools to assess and cultivate organizational empathy. He firmly believes that empathy is the bridge connecting people, purpose, and performance. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Ritesh continues to champion the idea that in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, empathy isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a crucial driver of innovation, employee satisfaction, and sustainable success.

For over 30 years, Jim has been a change agent in the nonprofit and public sectors. Just recently, he finished his 7th interim executive position. Jim was the Interim CEO of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a visual and performing arts center in the heart of the cultural and convention district of San Francisco. There, he helped reduce a projected $4M deficit to $600k surplus and built back trust with the staff after a major public relations crisis. Previously, Jim was the Interim CEO of Downtown Streets Team, a nonprofit rated as one of California’s top five evidence-based best practices in transitioning the homeless to self-sufficiency. Over 18 months, he turned an $800,000 deficit into a $500,000 surplus while also paying off a third of their debt. Previously, he served as the interim executive director of five other nonprofits. His additional positions include acting as the Chief Communications Officer for the American Red Cross in Colorado, the interim Chief Operating Officer for More than Me (an international nonprofit for girls in Africa), and the Chief External Relations Officer for the Minnesota Zoo. In addition to his nonprofit work, Jim is passionate about good government. Jim was the VP of Strategy at CivicMakers, a San Francisco government innovation consultancy. There, he co-facilitated a three year strategic roadmap for the City of Hayward and designed process improvements for over 40 internal procedures for the City of Berkeley. As a 2014 Humphrey School Policy Fellow, 2013 White House Innovation Fellow finalist, and winner of the 2012 Minnesota Idea Open, he has been recognized for excellence within the public sector. Jim holds a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from the University of Pennsylvania.

Susan Andrews is a senior HR consultant with over 30 years of experience, specializing in HR functions, employee relations, and workforce strategy. At KIS Finance, she also helps clients navigate complex financial needs. With a deep understanding of risk management, compliance, and employment law, she has worked at board level, ensuring HR strategies align with business objectives. As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), Susan’s expertise includes designing reward and development strategies, implementing GDPR compliance, and managing complex employee relations issues. Outside of work, Susan enjoys horse riding, pilates, and reading.

I am Sri Chellappa, the CEO, President, and Co-Founder of Engagedly, an AI-enabled people strategy platform designed to revolutionize traditional performance appraisals. At Engagedly, I focus on simplifying performance reviews by integrating employee engagement and development, helping organizations build high-performing, people-centric cultures. With over 20 years of experience in software development, consulting, and organizational leadership, I have had the privilege of working with leading firms like EY and Capgemini. My career has taught me the immense value of investing in people—not just for their individual success but for the success of the organization as a whole. I am passionate about empowering employees to grow, stay engaged, and develop the skills they need to thrive and advance in their careers. My journey has been shaped by a diverse range of experiences that span technology, health IT, people management, and creative arts. As a filmmaker, I’ve written, directed, and produced six feature films that have been distributed globally on platforms like Netflix, NBCUniversal, Fox International, Showtime, and Amazon Prime. These experiences have fueled my ability to think strategically, lead creatively, and deliver impactful results. Career Highlights: Author: The Black Book of Agile Project Delivery with Distributed Teams, where I share my insights on managing distributed teams effectively. Film Industry Achievements: Writer, Director, and Producer of six feature films with international distribution across major platforms. I am passionate about creating engaged, agile organizations and leveraging my leadership skills to help employees and companies succeed together.

My name is Steven Lowell, a Reverse Recruiter and Career Coach with Find My Profession. I am in my 50's, happily married, deal with Epilepsy, and managed to find jobs in 6 industries across 4 continents, as well as traveled the United States by bus to learn more about the people in the United States. I have been on this search to discover why I exist and the true meaning of success. I am a student of life. I know more than meets the eye. I am that guy in New York City, who always gets stopped by tourists to ask for directions, but you can also drop me in any country in the world and I will look like a local. I always help others. I was born and raised a NYC-native. I love people, diversity, honesty, loyalty, and learning. I am in an interracial marriage to my wife, Wendy, since 2007. And know everything about traveling, pizza, all things technology, writing, blogging, talent sourcing, resume writing, job searching, job boards, community management, customer service, hockey, golf, teaching, and talking to people from around the world. I am not your typical, rule-following person. My career has involved thinking outside the box, traveling, getting startups off the ground, and never turning down a really good challenge. Favorite Quote: "Things get better for everybody when they get better for everybody." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Desiree Russo is a Partner and Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations at MasonMade Ventures, where she drives operational excellence across the firm's portfolio of critical infrastructure companies. With nearly two decades of experience in construction and facilities management, Desiree brings extensive expertise in scaling processes, managing operations, and delivering best-in-class service to clients nationwide. Before co-founding MasonMade, Desiree served as Partner and Vice President of Operations at CS Hudson, where she was instrumental in streamlining workflows, exceeding client expectations, and developing internal talent. Earlier in her career, she advanced steadily through leadership roles at a facility management company—starting as a Client Team Manager and ultimately becoming Director of Client Services. She began her professional journey at Empire Facilities Management Group, rising from Coordinator to Supervisor to National Account Manager. Desiree attributes her career growth to a strong work ethic, a focus on operational efficiency, and a people-first leadership philosophy. As a female leader in a historically male-dominated industry, Desiree is known for breaking norms and modeling an inclusive, collaborative. Her leadership is characterized by humility, active listening, and a commitment to continuous improvement—for individuals, teams, and the businesses she helps to scale. She is a two-time recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award, recognizing her consistent impact in building high-performing teams and lasting client relationships.

As a Product Manager at Featured, I work with a team of developers and leadership to create and improve a Q&A platform that connects subject matter experts with top publishers. Our goal is to provide exposure for experts and content for publishers, creating a win-win situation for both parties. I have a BSBA in Marketing from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management, where I was involved in various extracurricular and internship activities, such as AdCats Consulting Club, Markitors SEO Agency, and Each Brain Matters Non-Profit Foundation. I have developed skills in customer relationship management, partnership marketing, and product management, which I apply to my current role and projects. I am passionate about creating engaging and informative content that benefits both experts and publishers, and I am always eager to learn from others and explore new opportunities.

With a career spanning across ESPs, agencies, and technology providers, Garin Hobbs is an expert in growing email impact and revenue, launching new programs and products, and developing the strategies and thought leadership to support them. The amount of knowledge he has about MarTech and email marketing is phenomenal but, it's not just the depth of information, it's Garin's perspective and how he communicates the application and impact that set's him apart. Garin is a fantastic and enthusiastic leader, collaborator, and strategist, as well as an amazing human.

From a past marked by transracial adoption, the loss of a parent, a traumatic assault, and teen incarceration, A. Margot Blair emerged with unwavering resilience, determined not to be defined by her hardships. Today, she is a respected Bible Teacher, Learning and Development Specialist at a technology company, Leadership Consultant, and Retreat Host. With over a decade of experience and currently pursuing her Doctorate in Leadership, she empowers women at the intersection of faith and leadership. As a trained and seasoned consultant, A. Margot coaches, mentors, and consults with women leaders across various sectors. Her expertise has fueled a 23-city tour, three professional development conferences, a $500K+ partnership portfolio, and the creation of seven personal and professional development resources—including books and courses. She has been honored as a Top 40 Under 40 Leader, a Top 35 Millennial Influencer, and the recipient of three state proclamations presented by Phoenix mayors. Her clients have included Comerica Bank, Grand Canyon University’s Honors College, and employees from LinkedIn, the Dallas Mavericks, ADP, Toyota, Prudential, and more. A former Forbes Business Coach and contributor, she teaches companies and leaders how to implement the blueprint that helped her build a thriving, multi-6-figure partnership portfolio. A. Margot’s work has been featured on The 700 Club, Fast Company, Esther Press, Lifeway, Goodwill AZ, Zapier, SCORE, and America’s Small Business Development Center. She is also a regular content partner for the YouVersion Bible App—with over 10 Bible plans—and a contributor to Esther Press, Journey Magazine, and other publications. Most importantly, A. Margot Blair is the wife of Vincent and the proud mother of her bonus children, Esaias and Alyvia, and her preschooler, Luke.

Bradley Keenan is a British technology entrepreneur, CEO, and co-founder of DSMN8, the Employee Advocacy Platform. With a background in sales, Bradley has built three leading B2B marketing technology companies, used by over 1,000 of the world’s leading brands. He is also the author of Employee Advocacy: 101 Cheat Codes.

I’m Daniel (He/Him), and I’m the Founder of The Courage Collective. My experience includes work in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Tech, Consulting, Education, and the Nonprofit Sector. I care deeply about humanizing the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion conversation, bringing impactful ideas to life, and creating meaningful, memorable, and transformational experiences with & for others.

As an experienced HR Manager at ProProfs, I am passionate about building high-performing teams, fostering positive workplace culture, and aligning HR strategies with organizational goals. Throughout my career, I have honed expertise in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and performance management, enabling me to drive both individual and organizational success. At ProProfs, I have successfully led initiatives such as: Streamlining hiring processes to attract top-tier talent. Developing training programs to boost employee skill sets and retention. Implementing HR technologies to enhance operational efficiency. I believe that the heart of any thriving business is its people, and I strive to create environments where employees feel motivated, valued, and empowered to excel.