Human Resources Archives - Business RadioX ®

HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit | Cindi Filer

April 30, 2026 by John Ray

Cindi Filer, Innovative Outsourcing, on HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit (The Exit Exchange, Episode 27) with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit | Cindi Filer

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Cindi Filer, Innovative Outsourcing, on HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit (The Exit Exchange, Episode 27)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, host John Ray welcomes Cindi Filer, Founder and CEO of Innovative Outsourcing, to talk about why HR is so often the last thing business owners think about and why, when it comes to an exit, it can be the thing that unravels the whole deal.

Cindi makes the case that HR is not just a compliance checklist but a people strategy and that most small businesses have never treated it as one. She and John walk through the specific traps owners fall into: employees misclassified as exempt who were never owed overtime, 1099 contractors who should have been W-2 employees all along, I-9 documentation that nobody can locate, and attrition rates that look healthy on paper but mask a workforce full of employees no one has had the courage to let go. A buyer doing due diligence will find all of it and will discount the purchase price heavily, far more than the dollar value of the problem itself.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Most small businesses have someone doing HR who has no HR background — a controller, an executive assistant, or the owner — and that gap compounds over time. By the time a company is heading toward an exit, the problems are usually larger than anyone realizes.
A buyer is not just buying numbers. When comparing two businesses with similar financials, a buyer will pay a higher multiple for the one with organizational health: trained leaders, documented processes, an engaged workforce, and a clean compliance record.
Misclassification of workers, whether exempt vs. non-exempt or employee vs. 1099 contractor, is one of the most common and costly HR errors found during due diligence. Back wages, fines, and reclassification costs can all become liabilities the buyer inherits, and they will price accordingly.
An HR Assessment and Roadmap, essentially an HR audit done well before going to market, gives a seller time to fix problems and produce a third-party evaluation of HR health that buyers find credible.
Artificially low employee salaries can look like a cost advantage but are actually a future liability. If employees leave during or after the transition and must be replaced at market rates, profitability projections fall apart fast.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:24 Cindi Filer and Innovative Outsourcing: what they do and who they serve
02:23 The sweet spot for fractional HR: companies from 4 to 60 employees
04:06 When to start thinking about HR in the context of exit planning
05:45 Why HR gets the short straw from day one, and the gap that never closes
07:55 HR Compass: making fractional HR affordable for the smallest businesses
09:20 Risk miscalculation: why owners don’t know what they don’t know
10:30 The aggregation trap: multiple companies, one owner, one threshold
11:10 The cost of non-compliance: fines, back wages, and the I-9 example
12:40 Two hours a month on organizational health: Cindi’s standing advice to CEOs
14:00 Attrition rates can lie: the difference between low turnover and a healthy workforce
15:45 Why buyers pay more for organizational health, not just good numbers
17:30 The people-are-the-numbers argument: workforce as both asset and liability
18:45 1099 misclassification and what it looks like in due diligence
20:30 What the engagement looks like when Innovative Outsourcing comes in pre-exit
22:00 The HR Assessment and Roadmap: the house inspection analogy
24:00 Buyers need a story, not just financials: making the case for HR health
25:30 The most common HR traps: exempt/non-exempt misclassification
27:15 When misclassification derails a sale at the last minute
28:30 Personal liability for owners: when it goes beyond the business
30:00 Golden handcuffs and succession planning: keeping people through a transition
31:00 Below-market salaries as a hidden liability for buyers
36:00 Buttoned-up HR as a signal of overall business quality
37:30 A success story: the six-employee health company that exited well

Cindi Filer

Cindi Filer is Founder and CEO of Innovative Outsourcing, which she started in 1994 after leaving the traditional workforce to raise her children. Her focus is on bringing practical, high-level HR to small businesses, helping owners improve staff culture, increase retention, and stay in compliance. She is a frequent speaker to CEO groups and conferences on HR topics, and she publishes a biweekly HR newsletter on LinkedIn.

Cindi graduated from Wake Forest University. She is married to Don, and they have two children, Matt and Emily.

Innovative Outsourcing

Innovative Outsourcing is an Atlanta-based firm that has been providing HR and recruiting services to small businesses since 1994. The firm operates two main practice areas: consultative recruiting for part-time and full-time professional roles and fractional HR services for companies that need HR expertise without a full-time HR hire.

On the HR side, Innovative Outsourcing offers a range of engagement models, from HR Compass, a monthly fractional HR service starting at $500 per month, to the HR Assessment and Roadmap, a structured audit and planning tool designed to surface compliance gaps and people-strategy weaknesses. The firm works with companies from just a few employees up through those large enough to need an HR director, and its team includes consultants with decades of experience across HR compliance, talent management, and organizational development.

Website

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta (XPX) is a diverse group of professionals with a common goal: working collaboratively to assist business owners with a sale or business transition. XPX Atlanta is an association of advisors who provide professionalism, principles, and education to the heart of the middle market.

Their members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Their vision: to fundamentally change the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaboration-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community by following this link.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®, in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found by following this link.

John Ray Co. is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Fractional HR for Small Business: Stop Winging It

April 22, 2026 by John Ray

Kelsey Geist, Custom Human Resource Solutions (CHRS), on HR Compliance Risks, Fractional HR, and the Mistakes Small Businesses Make (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 956) with host John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Fractional HR for Small Business: Stop Winging It

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Kelsey Geist, Custom Human Resource Solutions (CHRS), on HR Compliance Risks, Fractional HR, and the Mistakes Small Businesses Make (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 956)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Kelsey Geist, Vice President of HR Operations at Custom Human Resource Solutions (CHRS), a fractional HR firm serving small- to mid-size businesses, most with fewer than 50 employees. Kelsey grew up around HR, with a mother who spent her career in the field, and she spent years insisting she would never follow that path. She eventually caught what she calls “the HR bug” and has now been with CHRS for over a decade.

The conversation digs into the most common mistakes small businesses make with HR: reactive rather than proactive thinking, inconsistent decisions between employees that quietly corrode culture, misclassifying workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and basic compliance gaps like missing I-9 documentation. Kelsey makes the case that bringing in a spouse, an admin, or a business partner to handle HR is not a sustainable solution. The problem is not just knowing the rules, she explains, but also having the experience to interpret specific situations and adapt in real time.

John and Kelsey also discuss AI in the HR context. While AI tools can help with tasks like screening resumes through applicant tracking systems, Kelsey is direct about the limits: AI cannot have the empathetic, relationship-informed conversations required to handle employee relations well, and HR documents written by AI without expert review are a real liability. She notes that experienced HR professionals and opposing attorneys can spot an AI-generated handbook quickly.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Small businesses often reach a compliance threshold, such as hiring their 10th employee in Georgia, without realizing new legal obligations have kicked in. Getting HR support before growth hits is far less costly than correcting violations after the fact.
Giving HR responsibilities to an untrained spouse, family member, or office manager tends to result in inconsistent decisions that quietly damage company culture and create legal exposure.
Fractional HR works best as a true partnership. CHRS makes recommendations and lays out the risk options, but the business owner makes the decisions and CHRS handles execution.
AI can help with efficiency in HR tasks like resume screening, but using it to generate employee handbooks or legal documents without expert review creates real legal risk. Experienced HR professionals, and opposing counsel, recognize AI-generated documents immediately.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Kelsey Geist
01:53 Kelsey Geist introduces CHRS and its focus on small business fractional HR
02:38 How Kelsey came to work in HR, inspired by her mother’s career
04:07 Advocating for both businesses and employees, and what drives her work
06:27 The biggest HR mistakes small businesses make: reactivity, inconsistency, misclassification, and compliance gaps
10:20 Why handing HR to a spouse, family member, or office manager creates risk
14:04 Why HR is a strategic function, not a transactional one
15:17 How AI fits into HR: where it helps and where it falls short
20:40 What distinguishes CHRS: direct employee support and high-touch service
24:14 When should a small business owner call CHRS?
25:55 Client success story: building HR infrastructure from five employees to 25
28:24 The importance of partnership in an outsourced HR relationship
29:22 How to reach Kelsey Geist and CHRS

Kelsey Geist, Vice President of HR Operations

Kelsey has been an integral part of the CHRS leadership team since 2015, bringing over 15 years of human resources expertise to her role as Vice President of HR Operations. In this position, she not only leads and develops CHRS’s team of HR Consultants but also rolls up her sleeves every day to support clients directly.

A true HR generalist and high-level business partner, Kelsey thrives in both strategy and execution. She designs and drives people strategies for mid-sized businesses while also diving into the tactical and administrative details that keep HR moving. Whether it’s employee relations, compliance, recruiting, training, safety, or documentation, Kelsey’s ability to move seamlessly between the big picture and the day-to-day ensures clients receive both visionary guidance and practical, high-touch support.

Kelsey’s hands-on leadership has been pivotal in CHRS’s growth, helping nearly triple revenue post-COVID while solidifying the firm as a trusted HR partner nationwide. She is particularly skilled in navigating employee relations, multi-state employment practices, and tailoring solutions that are scalable, compliance-driven, and people-focused.

Originally from Southern California, Kelsey now resides in the metro-Atlanta area with her spouse and two children.

Custom Human Resource Solutions (CHRS)

Custom Human Resource Solutions (CHRS) simplifies the complex world of HR, helping businesses navigate today’s ever-changing employment landscape with confidence. Grounded in client-centered excellence and compliance leadership, CHRS provides the HR support businesses need, when and how they need it.

Whether a business is looking for on-site, on-call, or hybrid services, the CHRS dedicated consulting team delivers real-time, practical solutions. From everyday administrative tasks to more advanced strategies like succession planning, performance management, and workplace investigations, CHRS is a dependable HR partner at every stage of the business journey.

With proven expertise, a commitment to compliance, and a focus on client success, CHRS helps organizations of all sizes identify vulnerabilities, streamline processes, and build stronger, more resilient teams.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, host of *North Fulton Business Radio* and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

The studio is located at 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star-rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

John Uhas and Larry Small with Benalytics

May 8, 2025 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Business Radio

John Uhas and Larry Small with Benalytics

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John Uhas and Larry Small/Benalytics

Benalytics Consulting Group, LLC, offers an alternate approach to helping employers address human resource and benefit challenges. After 20 years as a Principal and Consultant with leading global HR and benefit firms, their founder recognized the need for a different type of service model.

Since their inception in 2005, Benalytics has consistently delivered senior-level expertise, extensive data analytics, and state-of-the-art technology — ensuring enhanced, more cost-efficient plans, and greater value for clients and their employees. Plus, Benalytics is an SBA 8(A)-certified, Federal HUBZone-certified, Minority Business enterprise — so they can help you meet any applicable supplier diversity targets.

Tanya Turner with Salto Systems and Frederick Taylor with Tomorrow Pictures

January 16, 2025 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Business Radio

Tanya Turner with Salto Systems and Frederick Taylor with Tomorrow Pictures

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Mike Sammond, Frederick Taylor, Tanya Turner, Harper LeBel

Tanya Turner/Salto Systems

Salto Systems is a leading global access solutions provider, part of the SALTO WECOSYSTEM. Salto develops pioneering facility access control, identity management, and electronic locking technology that ensures seamless, reliable, and secure experiences. Salto solutions are used in over 40,000 installations with 40 million daily users and has offices in 40 countries with a partner network that extends to every region of the globe.

Frederick Taylor/Tomorrow Pictures

Tomorrow Pictures is a media solutions company that believes the story is in the telling. They are dedicated to creating original content that matters.

Navigating HR Challenges, with Scott Mastley, Thread HCM

November 6, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Navigating HR Challenges, with Scott Mastley, Thread HCM

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Navigating HR Challenges, with Scott Mastley, Thread HCM (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 814)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Scott Mastley, Chief Human Relations Officer at Thread HCM. The discussion delves into Thread’s HR software and services, emphasizing their focus on efficiency, top-tier payroll technology, and unique HR consulting services. Scott shares his unconventional journey into HR, the importance of personal and proactive client relationships, and the evolving landscape of HR regulations, including multi-state compliance and remote work challenges. He also touches on trends like unlimited PTO and cannabis regulations, offering practical advice for business owners. Scott’s insights provide valuable guidance for small to medium-sized businesses looking to enhance their HR practices.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Scott Mastley, Chief Human Relations Officer, Thread HCM

Scott joined Thread in 2019 to develop and manage our HR Consulting services. Scott is a double Dawg with undergraduate and MBA degrees from UGA, and he is passionate about simplifying HR to support engagement.

Scott is interested in your challenges and enthusiastic about finding solutions and proactively preventing future issues. His confidence comes from 25 years of hands-on consulting, HR work, and leading HR teams with clients across multiple industries.

Thread HCM

Thread offers a way for businesses to make HR an advantage. The company believes in better workplaces, engaged employees, and peace of mind for the C-Suite.

At its core, Thread offers a top-tier technology platform that over 100,000 businesses trust and that serves over 5,000,000 employees. This all-in-one solution offers a superior approach to hiring, managing, and growing teams. With a scalable system and a variety of offerings, the iSolved platform is designed to grow alongside its clients.

Thread offers a partner relationship approach to working with clients, backed by quick, individualized service from a support team that is familiar with each business. The company believes time is valuable and doesn’t intend to waste any of it. Live response times and NPS Customer Satisfaction ratings are posted right on its website.

Lastly, Thread is a business like its clients. With a team of amazing people doing great work for their clients, Thread achieves success in turn. As a recipient of GPTW awards several years in a row, Thread aims to be a company its employees love and where candidates are eager to join. The company wants that same success for its clients and their teams too.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter)

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:36 Guest Introduction: Scott Mastley from Thread
02:46 Scott’s Journey into HR
04:20 HR Consulting at Thread
07:10 Challenges in HR: Multi-State Regulations
12:19 Cannabis in the Workplace
15:13 Remote Workforces Post-Pandemic
16:17 Effective Communication in Remote Work
17:28 Maintaining Productivity and Connection
18:27 Hybrid Work Models and Their Benefits
21:31 Challenges of Unlimited PTO Policies
24:04 Upcoming Salary Threshold Changes
26:15 Client Success Stories and Services
29:22 Contact Information and Closing Remarks

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 800 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Karen Walters, Human Resources Consultant and Founder of Beyond Culture

September 6, 2024 by Garrett Ervin

Celebrating Powerhouse Women

Karen Walters, Human Resources Consultant and Founder of Beyond Culture

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Celebrating Powerhouse Women salutes and recognizes women who are making an impact, whether it’s in business, philanthropy, public service, or elsewhere.

Karen Walters/Beyond Culture

Karen Walters is a full-service Human Resources Consultant and the Founder of Beyond Culture. She has spent decades inspiring teams and helping leaders to cultivate cultures that achieve results beyond what seem possible. She has worked in multiple industries including IT, retail, non-profit, hospitality, and sports & entertainment, most recently providing human resource support to the Arthur Blank-owned Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Atlanta United Soccer Team. She enjoys sharing the deep, rich wisdom she has gained from some of the most mind-blowingly and awesome organizations on the planet. It’s her pleasure to help you create a Beyond Culture!

Celebrating Powerhouse Women is presented by

Hosted by Amanda Pearch

Unleashing Potential: Revolutionizing HR Strategies

April 5, 2024 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Unleashing Potential: Revolutionizing HR Strategies

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Unleashing Potential: Revolutionizing HR Strategies

In this lively episode of Phoenix Business Radio, Karen Nowicki kicks off the conversation by inviting the Disrupt HR Tucson team to the mic, sparking a vibrant discussion on revamping workplace cultures and bringing HR into the modern age. Kindra Maples shares her journey with Culture Crush Business, stressing the need for resources to transform company dynamics. Tamica Sears and Holly Norton champion human-centered HR practices that prioritize employee well-being and trust. Ashley Bright shares her take on HR innovation, advocating for adaptation to meet workforce challenges head-on. Together, they unpack the unique format of Disrupt HR events, highlighting their role in building connections and sharing a tapestry of HR insights.

As the discussion flows, the team shifts gears to the importance of integrating HR into strategic business decisions and fostering a workplace that embraces personal challenges. This episode celebrates the evolving role of HR in shaping workplace culture, showcasing the transformative power of Disrupt HR events in redefining HR practices for the future.

DisruptHR is an innovative information exchange designed to energize, inform, and empower people in the HR field. It’s a series of fast-paced events where speakers get 5 minutes each to share their fresh ideas on how to shake up the traditional HR landscape.

Sears Coaching helps create inclusive, innovative, and authentic organizations through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, workshops, and retreats. Through their work, they create profitable organizations that welcome people as they are and treat people with compassion, empathy, and kindness.

Tamica Sears is an HR consultant and Executive coach as well as a volunteer for DisruptHR Tucson.

She has 20 years of Human Resources experience including organizational development, talent management, coaching, and training.

She has held HR leadership roles in organizations ranging from small veterinary hospitals to major media outlets like The USA Today Network.

As a PCC level Certified Executive Coach, she believes that the keys to leadership development are self-awareness, inclusion, and authenticity. She holds certifications in Change Management, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Everything DiSC, The Five Behaviors, and is a Human Resources Certified Professional.

Identifying self-esteem as a common issue with many leaders, Tamica published “You Are Enough”, a book of motivational quotes designed to increase self-esteem in 30 days and a leadership development book, “How to Tell if You’re an A**hole Boss”.

Connect with Tamica on LinkedIn.

Strunk Group, an employee benefit and HR consulting firm, providing a complete range of health insurance and employee benefit resources and services. They help business care for their people.

If you’re an organization with ten employees or thousands, and you’re tired of navigating the murky waters of employee benefits, compliance, and HR alone, Strunk Group is here.

Employers want to provide the best employee benefits customized to your company’s unique needs. They support that pursuit of providing the best for their people. Strunk Group provides their clients with corporate benefits, human resources, technology and payroll consulting, and 401(k)s.

Working in the best interests of people – and organizations

Strunk Group leads the way in committed advocacy – the practice of consistently acting in the best interests of an organization and their people. Committed Advocacy creates engaged environments by encouraging collaboration and openness. As a result, cultures flourish, health improves and happiness is increased – at work and in life.

Holly Norton is not your average HR Executive. As the driving force behind Strunk HR, a division of the Strunk Insurance Group, she is redefining what it means to be in human resources.

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter HR strategies; Holly is a visionary leader, constantly innovating and inspiring change in the people operations space. With over two decades in HR and top-tier industry certifications, she has discovered a better way in her relentless pursuit of revolutionizing HR.

Holly empowers and supports leaders and business owners to create a work culture that is nothing short of stellar. Her philosophy? Employees who feel valued don’t just work—they thrive, collaborate, and elevate the entire team’s performance.

Holly’s approach to hiring and onboarding isn’t just about filling positions. It’s about crafting lasting relationships from day one, fostering a work environment that transcends mere compliance. She’s not about ticking boxes; she’s about creating bespoke HR experiences that resonate deeply with every client. But Holly knows that a company’s true strength lies in its people.

As a key player in DisruptHR Phoenix and Tucson, Holly’s influence extends beyond her immediate sphere. She’s bringing together bold, innovative voices in HR from across the globe, reshaping the industry’s landscape.

Living in North Phoenix with her teenage son, significant other, and beloved dog. Holly’s life outside the workplace mirrors her professional ethos—dynamic, unconventional, forward-thinking, and infused with a blend of humor. This blend of wit and wisdom not only sets her apart but also exemplifies her belief that the workplace can be both a place of serious achievement and genuine enjoyment.

Connect with Holly on LinkedIn and follow Strunk Group on Facebook and Instagram.

The Message Fixer is on a mission to help purpose-driven leaders break through barriers and gain support for their ideas. We work with individuals, companies, and organizations at the intersection of technology, education, and community to make a positive impact.

Our IMPACT Speaking Method was designed to equip leaders with communication skills and stage presence to attract attention, resources, and allies to their cause. Our founder brings almost two decades of experience pitching ideas to Fortune 500 companies and we’ve distilled those learning into this methodology to ensure success for our clients.

We offer personalized 1:1 coaching to address individual communication challenges and group workshops on storytelling, public speaking, relationship building, and overcoming status quo bias. Whether starting a new business or launching a product, training a sales team, or pitching to an investor we ensure our clients gain the communication skills they need to get results.

Ashley Bright is The Message Fixer.

Clients hire him to bring clarity, boldness, and impact to their communication.

As a former Creative Director, presenting to companies like Apple, Target, and AT&T he knows how to leverage storytelling and empathy to break through listener resistance and status-quo thinking to get buy-in for life-changing ideas.

United Way, Kimberley-Clark, and the University of Arizona are among the many clients who rely on Ashley’s IMPACT Speaking Method to teach their people how to present with confidence, increase their influence, and build meaningful relationships to ensure they get results.

Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Culture Crush Business is your premier destination for building thriving company cultures. We are dedicated to revolutionizing the way companies approach their people and culture strategies.

At Culture Crush Business, we understand the importance of cultivating a workplace environment where employees thrive. Our three step approach is comprehensive, focusing on three levels of support and always focusing on our eight key areas that form the foundation of vibrant cultures. We have over 200 partners across the country that bring experience and expertise in the areas of:

Leadership/Professional Development
Employee Recognition/Employee Appreciation
Conscious Communication and Connection
Fundamentals: Pay and Medical Benefits
Mental Health and Wellness
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Accessibility
Systems and Processes
Fun/Excitement in the Workplace

Kindra Maples, Founder of Culture Crush Business, brings a unique journey to the business world. With a background in animal behavior and over 15 years in the zoo industry, Kindra transitioned her passion from training animals to empowering people. From polar bears to individuals, she seamlessly blends diverse experiences.

Her skills encompass business relations, operations management, strategic planning, and team building. Dedicated to fostering growth, she is passionate about supporting leaders and cultivating exceptional company cultures.

Through the events, podcast, partnerships, and three levels of support for companies- Kindra connects businesses to the culture resources they need to build thriving cultures and thriving people.

Kindra is dedicated to revolutionizing the way companies approach their people and culture strategies and does this through assessments, events, and supporting companies in a Fractional Chief People Officer role.

Outside the business realm, Kindra finds joy in paddleboarding, conquering Spartan races, and embarking on adventurous pursuits to continually embrace new challenges.

Connect with Kindra on LinkedIn and follow Culture Crush Business on Instagram.

Navigating Leadership: Insights from Industry Pros E46

January 31, 2024 by Karen

Navigating-Leadership-Insights-from-Industry-Pros-feature

AZ TechCast

Navigating Leadership: Insights from Industry Pros E46

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Navigating Leadership: Insights from Industry Pros E46

This dynamic podcast interview, hosted by Karen Nowicki and Steven Zylstra, featured esteemed guests Victor Assad from Strategic HR Consulting; Carol Stewart from Tech Parks Arizona and Art Taylor from PayPal. These leaders engaged in a comprehensive exploration of effective leadership in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The group discussed the challenges faced by leaders today, including navigating remote work arrangements, adapting to changing regulatory landscapes, and maintaining strong organizational cultures amidst hybrid work setups. Victor emphasized the importance of aligning executive expectations with employee concerns, while Art stressed the need for ethics-based compliance programs. Carol highlighted the struggle of preserving a strong organizational culture in remote settings, focusing on creating inclusive environments and fostering connections among employees.

Transitioning to essential attributes for effective leadership and team development, the discussion continued with Art underlining the importance of openness to new approaches and creating a culture of trust. Victor emphasized transparency and flexibility, while Carol added courage and empowerment to the mix.

The conversation concludes with insights into the multifaceted nature of leadership, highlighting the significance of diversity, mentorship, and continuous growth in leadership roles, encapsulating a holistic understanding of effective leadership in today’s tech-driven world.

Fostering leadership growth is an important function of the Arizona Technology Council as they hold annual peer-to-peer networking groups for industry leaders to eagage with and learn from each other.

Victor Assad Strategic HR Consulting works with companies to transform HR, conduct executive and technical searches, implement hybrid work, improve compensation and performance management, leaders, teams, and cultures of innovation so they can grow profitably.

Victor Assad is the CEO of Victor Assad Strategic HR Consulting Managing Partner of InnovationOne, LLC. He works with companies to transform HR, conduct executive and technical searches, implement hybrid work, and improve leaders, teams, and cultures of innovation.

Victor is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Hack Recruiting: The Best of Empirical Research, Method and Process, and Digitization. He publishes a weekly blog and is quoted in journals such as The Wall Street Journal, Workforce Management, Human Resources Executive, and CEO Magazine. He publishes weekly blogs.

Victor has led human resources in strategic business units at Honeywell and Medtronic’s fast-growth, high-technology businesses. He has led HR globally from Mumbai to Milano. Victor has significantly improved HR and recruiting at business units of Honeywell and Medtronic and in his consulting, often cutting recruiting cycle time in half, improving diversity representation, and cutting costs per hire.

He has pioneered remote and hybrid work, improved performance management and compensation, built learning organizations, managed benefits, and developed great cultures, leaders, and teams.

He has worked in various industries with large and small employers, including medical devices, health care, semiconductors, high tech, real estate, retail, and with government agencies, such as the US Department of Energy, to name a few.

Victor holds a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He has executive leadership certifications from Harvard and Kellogg. He and his wife live in Scottsdale, AZ.

Connect with Victor on LinkedIn.

Tech Parks Arizona advances companies of all sizes and facilitates university-industry interaction in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona (UA). Companies that partner with Tech Parks Arizona are linked to a world-class team that is invested in their success and directly connected to the research expertise and talent of the university through purpose-built environments which include the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation.

The UA Tech Park, a thriving employment hub in southeast Tucson, houses over 100 companies and 6,000 knowledge workers, contributing a remarkable $2 billion annually to the local economy. As one of the nation’s premier research parks, it encompasses 1,267 acres and has 2 million square feet of tech offices, R&D, and laboratory facilities in southeast Tucson.

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), the university’s incubator network, provides access to people, programming, and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market. With the mission to fuel the Arizona economy, UACI works to help scale science and tech-based startups through a 28-point structured roadmap.

The UA Tech Park at The Bridges is a 65-acre community of innovation within a larger 350-acre mixed-use development project, strategically located minutes from the University of Arizona Main Campus, Downtown Tucson and the Tucson International Airport.

The campus is perfect for tech-focused businesses and organizations that want to co-locate with the university and draw upon the talent and sharp minds that can be mined from the University of Arizona.

Tech Parks Arizona is proud to commemorate its 30-year anniversary. Shaping the Future at the Speed of Business – Technology’s Best Address.

Carol Stewart, a long-standing authority on research parks, is the Vice President for Tech Parks Arizona at the University of Arizona. Carol Stewart leads the UA Tech Park at Rita Road and is developing the UA Tech Park at The Bridges.

She is also president of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), a technology business incubator network serving the University of Arizona, Tucson and international community.

Stewart’s expertise in university research parks spans decades and nations with more than 20 years of experience working with research parks, technology commercialization, business incubation, governmental relations and business development.

As a pioneer in the research parks world, she has driven national policy, standardized programs, created national and international networks, built technology clusters, engaged stakeholders, and assisted countries with the development of their national science and technology policies.

Stewart is passionate about her community and serves as a champion in university-based economic development. She is a member of Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Flinn Foundation Steering Committee, a member of the Canadian Global Mentor Program and she also serves on the Board of Directors for Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, Pima County’s Workforce Investment Board, Arizona Technology Council, Desert Angels, and is the Vice President on the national University Economic Development Association (UEDA) board, and a member of the North American CEO Council for Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).

She also serves as the North American Division President for the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP). IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation. IASP has nearly four hundred members in 74 countries. Previously, Stewart served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), which represents 170 research parks in North America. She collaborates with numerous leaders world-wide to build and grow university-related research parks through education, unification, and collaboration. She helps to expand and advance the impact of research parks and areas of innovation by showcasing best practices across the globe.

Her proven success record also includes co-founding the Canadian chapter of the Association of University Research Parks, founding director of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park at the University of Waterloo spearheading the development of the park, advancing the park to over the one-million-square-foot milestone, leading the marketing efforts and launching the professional services division of Maplesoft, a global spin-off company from the University of Waterloo, and enhancing the entrepreneurial culture of Canada at the Canadian Industrial Innovation Centre (CIIC).

Follow Tech Parks Arizona on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

PayPal allows any business or individual with an email address to securely, conveniently and cost-effectively send and receive payments online. Our network builds on the existing financial infrastructure of bank accounts and credit cards to create a global, real-time payment solution.

Art Taylor serves as a vice president within PayPal’s Global Compliance Investigations division. In this capacity, Taylor leads a team of industry experts in charge of risk and compliance investigations in North America, ensuring PayPal fulfills its commitment to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other related financial crimes.

Taylor’s team is primarily concentrated in two main hubs — Phoenix and Omaha, Nebraska — and encompasses approximately 400 talented subject matter experts. Taylor brings over 10 years of financial crime risk management and operations experience to PayPal.

Prior to joining the PayPal team in 2016, Taylor worked for American Express and Bank of America serving in a variety of compliance and operations leadership roles.

Over the last decade, Taylor has led global teams and developed organizational processes in the financial and compliance industries In 2015, Taylor earned the designation of Certified Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Specialist (CAMS-CFI).

Taylor earned his master’s degree in global business management from the University of Phoenix, and a bachelor’s degree in international business from Menlo College.

Connect with Art on LinkedIn.

About Your Hosts

Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.

Leslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.

Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.

Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.

Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.

In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.

About Our Sponsor

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.

A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.

Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Jade Alexander-Esteves, Head of People for Moneypenny

October 20, 2023 by Garrett Ervin

Celebrating Powerhouse Women

Jade Alexander-Esteves, Head of People for Moneypenny

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Celebrating Powerhouse Women salutes and recognizes women who are making an impact, whether it’s in business, philanthropy, public service, or elsewhere.

Jade Alexander-Esteves/Moneypenny

Jade Alexander-Esteves is the Head of People for Moneypenny. She has considerable expertise in leading the people agenda and is passionate about being part of a local and global diverse team, full of talent. Her role at Moneypenny includes people communication, recruitment and retention, training and ensuring the continuation of the happy and award-winning awesome culture that Moneypenny has become synonymous with since its foundation in 2020.