Most Recommended Strategic Human Resources Experts

Proven ability to impact human resource effectiveness and decrease operational costs. Advisor to management interpreting and resolving employee relations, compensation, staffing and benefit issues. Goals: support business strategy and drive performance. Key character traits include leadership, assertiveness, reliability, and practical business sense.Specialties: Employee Relations Organizational Development Legal Compliance Staffing and Employment

Strategic HR Leader | Driving Culture Transformation | Data-Driven Talent Strategies for Future-Ready Organizations | HR Podcast Host & Conference Speaker 🚀

Marya Calhoun is a Strategic Human Resources Leader, Executive Coach, and Speaker with a proven record of transforming people strategy into measurable business performance. As a Senior Human Resources leader and Founder of Optima HR Group, she helps organizations build human-centered, high-performing cultures through leadership development, organizational design, and change management. Her expertise spans strategic planning, performance optimization, talent acquisition, and leadership coaching — all anchored in her belief that HR should be both human and profitable. A sought-after contributor and thought leader, Marya provides insights on the future of work, AI in HR, leadership culture, and employee experience. She’s passionate about helping executives lead with empathy while driving results that matter. Connect with Marya at www.optimahrgroup.com for speaking engagements, executive coaching, or strategic advisory services.

My name is Kimberley Tyler-Smith and I’m an executive at the career tech platform, Resume Worded, where we help 1m+ job seekers every month advance their careers. I've largely been an independent consultant throughout my career and I've helped over 20 companies, ranging from medium-sized businesses to F500 enterprises, increase their bottom lines. I'm also an active investor and have been one for the last five years. I've left the corporate world to pursue something with more impact in the education/career space; now, I’m a VP at Resume Worded running a myriad of things.

Human Resources Executive with over 23 years of progressive generalist experience including performance management, leadership development, recruiting, retention, benefits administration, conflict resolution, employee relations, labor relations, training development, training facilitation, risk management, and policy development and administration. Demonstrated ability to develop strategic partnerships within all levels of the organization to facilitate the accomplishment of system-wide goals. Human Resources knowledge in many sectors including union and non-union, PK-12 public education, property management, manufacturing, and hospitality and tourism industries.

After two decades of building HR, recruiting, and people operations from the ground up, I started Startup Talent & HR to give founders, CEOs, and growing companies access to executive-level People expertise at a fraction of the cost. I’ve built HR and recruiting from the ground up (more than once) across industries, so I know what works (and what doesn’t). I’m just as comfortable setting the strategy as I am rolling up my sleeves to get things done with an operator mindset: move fast, keep it simple, and build for scale. 👉 Learn more: www.StartupTalentHR.com

I've been called the most "crunchy" HR person my clients have ever met. . .But I'm also chock-full of experience and credentials. I hold a Masters in Human Resources and Labor Relations with an emphasis in Training and Development from Penn State, a Bachelor's in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, and a minor in the Philosophy of Religion.I am a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources through HRCI, and certified in learner-centered teaching through Cambridge's CELTA program.I am a member of the Santa Cruz County Business Council and Society for Human Resources. Formerly I have been a member of these boards of directors: Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board, Homeless Garden Project, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, and the Santa Cruz Downtown Association. Additionally, I was appointed by Santa Cruz City Council to Co-Chair the Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness.I'm also a mom who birthed at home attended by a midwife, a doula and my husband. I believe that it's important for us, especially as working mothers, to regain sovereignty of our bodies and to decrease the day-to-day stress in our lives so that we can be healthier and happier. Otherwise what's the point of all this anyway?

I am a strategic HR leader and SHRM-SCP certified professional with over a decade of progressive experience spanning corporate HR, higher education, and mission-driven nonprofit organizations. I specialize in leading people-first HR initiatives, streamlining recruitment operations, and driving talent strategies that align with business objectives and organizational culture. Throughout my career, I’ve built and led high-performing HR teams, partnered with executive leadership to shape workforce strategy, and implemented scalable solutions in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and compliance. Whether leading end-to-end recruitment, optimizing DEI sourcing strategies, or advising senior leaders on talent planning, I bring a data-driven mindset, a collaborative approach, and a deep commitment to creating inclusive, high-impact workplaces. Currently serving as Director of Human Resources at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Manchester, I lead HR strategy and operations in support of a purpose-driven mission. My prior roles at Southern New Hampshire University and Target Corporation honed my skills in performance management, employee relations, and cross-functional leadership in both corporate and academic environments.

Experienced Senior Human Resources Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries through HR consulting. Skilled in Employee Relations, Policies and Procedures, Learning and Performance and Organizational Development. Strong human resources professional with a BS focused in Human Resources Management from Ball State University - College of Business.

With experience in team leadership, project management and corporate communications, my diverse background enables quick connection with clients and coworkers alike. * Highly analytical thinker with a talent for motivating and coordinating teams dedicated to continuous process improvement * Strong leader with a continuous passion for learning to apply best practices and achieve mission-critical milestones throughout a project's lifecycle * An excellent listener and effective communicator able to positively respond to clients’ needs and concerns * Ability to take initiative and work independently, yet a great collaborator

Diverse work experiences enriched me with a holistic and sustainability oriented People & Culture perspective which helps businesses shape and reach strategic goals. I feel the flow when fostering positive workplace cultures. Values (when truly lived by) hold an important role in company's success and I've been happy to lead few value implementation projecs that shook some ground;) I'm striving to create environments where team members feel empowered, valued and driven to succeed. I would also call myself burnout prevention advocate, that is why I'm committed to promoting employee well-being, helping individuals thrive both personally and professionally.

An HR Executive with a knack for shaking things up and empowering talent. With a…

ABOUT SARA: Sara Gallagher is President of The Persimmon Group and a recognized expert in PMO leadership, project portfolio management, and strategy execution. Sara helps organizations transform their Project Management Offices into high-impact engines for business value, drawing on more than 15 years of experience advising executives and leading enterprise projects. A frequent speaker, author, and instructor, Sara has contributed to PMI’s global standards, taught thousands of professionals through her Udemy courses, and delivered keynotes on PMO transformation and the future of project leadership. She is known for making complex project management concepts clear, actionable, and engaging. Based in Tulsa and a graduate of Emory University, Sara is also the creator of the “Big Dumb Questions” newsletter on LinkedIn. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND EXPERTISE Sara’s work blends the disciplines of project management and organizational effectiveness, with a focus on: - Strategy Execution - PMO Design and Evolution - Leading Organizational Change - Executive Coaching - Building Cultures of Accountability and Trust Sara’s consulting portfolio spans a wide range of industries—including energy, finance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and technology—where she partners with both Fortune 500 powerhouses and fast-moving startups. Her experience cuts across project types, from industrial mega-projects and enterprise software rollouts to HR and people transformation initiatives. Whether the challenge is scale, speed, or stakeholder complexity, Sara brings a strategic, systems-minded approach that helps organizations turn complexity into clarity—and ambitious ideas into measurable progress.

A broad range of Human Resources knowledge and experience, as well as Customer Service and Business experience in a variety of industries allow me to work with our clients to enable them to meet their HR and Business goals. Superior verbal/written communication and problem solving skills, attention to detail, initiative and the ability to work with others provide a solid foundation. Additionally, I also possess a keen awareness of protecting the company’s interest and liabilities. Specialties: Government Compliance, Performance Management, Complaint Investigation, Training, Recruiting and Selection, Policy and Procedures, New Hire Orientation, Recordkeeping

Passionate about transforming complex HR and payroll systems into strategic business drivers. With a background spanning global consulting, public speaking, and project leadership, I bring an analytical mind, creative energy, and relentless drive to every initiative. Whether leading HRIS implementations, launching AI-powered solutions, or planning purpose-driven events, I thrive in fast-paced, high-impact environments. Lifelong do-gooder, committed to using tech and teamwork to build better businesses—and better lives.

Recruiting isn’t just a job for me — it’s a calling. There’s no greater reward than connecting the right person to the right role and knowing I’ve helped shape the future of a team. I do this work because it matters — and because I’m really, really good at it. I don’t just fill roles — I build alliances. Over the years I've grown a partnership mindset that turns hiring managers into collaborators, and I regularly advise on talent strategy, market intel, and process improvements. I operate with business acumen and strategic foresight — a true right-hand to leadership. With well over a decade of full-cycle recruiting under my belt—across technical, business, GTM, sales/marketing roles—I’m the recruitingSHEro you’ve been looking for. I am unapologetically obsessed with building a world-class candidate experience for every job seeker I come in contact with. Creating inclusive and positive hiring experiences is my jam! Let me help you elevate your processes to do the same! I’ve got deep roots in HR technology, from standing up and running systems like Greenhouse and Jobvite to using data to tell the real story behind hiring trends. I know how to dig into metrics, present what matters to leadership, and turn insights into action. My wheelhouse also includes employer branding, DEI recruiting, streamlining processes, and crafting strategies for hiring inclusive, high-performing teams. Think of me as your strategic partner and recruiting nerd in residence—someone who brings a consultative, data-informed approach and gets things done. Whether you're hiring full-time, part-time, or project-based. I’m scrappy, adaptable, and always focused on impact. Let’s talk—I’m ready to help you build teams that not only win - but thrive!

At Ashford Communities, my focus as the Global VP of HR & People is to cultivate a forward-thinking environment where our team implements cutting-edge HR strategies. These strategies are aimed at nurturing talent, enhancing employee engagement, and leveraging technology for smarter decision-making. With an MBA from Texas A&M University, my leadership is grounded in solid educational foundations and enriched by my dedication to people and business success. The organization has benefited from my expertise in organizational design, where comprehensive employee benefits and training programs have been key to our success. Our HR initiatives are tailored to not only attract top talent but also to ensure their growth and retention, contributing to Ashford Communities' reputation as a people-first organization. Collaborating with the Hacking HR forum has further refined my approach to integrating technology and HR, keeping us at the forefront of the Future of Work.