Hello, I'm Michelle H.
I am an accomplished Human Resources executive with over 20 years of experience guiding organizations through growth, change, and transformation. I partner with organizations to build scalable people strategies that align with business goals—bringing deep operational insight, legal compliance expertise, and a people-first approach to every engagement. My career spans multi-state operations in diverse industries, including construction, utilities, restaurants, and government. She has built HR departments from the ground up, led culture and compliance initiatives during mergers and acquisitions, and advised executive leadership teams on everything from employee relations to organizational development. Known for her ability to build strong relationships with both frontline employees and executive stakeholders, I bring clarity, compassion, and strategic thinking to every conversation. I excel at helping companies turn HR into a growth-driving function, with a special focus on team building, engagement, and policy consistency. In addition to my consulting work, I am a passionate mentor to women in leadership, a board member for Child Care Aware of Missouri, the part-time Mayor of a small rural community, the founder of my own not-for-profit and a lifelong dog lover with a rescue pup named Winnie. Whether supporting startups, nonprofits, or established enterprises, I meet each client where they are—and help them move forward with confidence.
Details
- Location
- Years of Relevant Experience20+ years
- Seniority LevelDirector
- Highest Level of EducationDegree
Current / Most Recent Job Title
As Director of Human Resources, I led the development and execution of all HR functions for a rapidly growing family of utility construction companies, scaling operations from a single company with 100 employees to six companies with over 500 employees across multiple states. With no existing HR infrastructure, I built the department from the ground up—establishing systems, policies, and procedures that supported both compliance and culture. I designed and launched a nationwide Department of Labor–recognized apprenticeship program to support workforce development in the broadband industry, serving as the Vice Chair of the national program. My role was deeply integrated with operations, and I worked closely with executive leadership and frontline teams to create scalable processes that aligned with business goals, supported growth, and fostered employee engagement. Key achievements include: Building HR operations for six companies across multiple states Scaling workforce from 100 to 500+ employees Leading M&A integration and organizational expansion Creating and managing a national apprenticeship program for the broadband industry Developing core HR functions including talent acquisition, compliance, employee relations, training, and benefits administration
Current / Most Recent Employment
I founded HR Heroes with a simple mission: to bring practical, people-first HR solutions to growing organizations that need expert support without the red tape. After spending over 20 years in the HR field, most recently as a Director of HR for a multi-state utility construction company, I saw firsthand how critical it is for businesses to have access to knowledgeable, trustworthy HR guidance that aligns with their values and culture. At HR Heroes, we partner with companies to build strong foundations, navigate growth, and create workplaces where employees and leadership can thrive together. Whether you're a startup building your first handbook, a company expanding into new states, a company looking at your first M&A, or a team navigating compliance or culture challenges, I'm here to help—with heart, hustle, and a hero’s mindset.
Industry
Specific Jurisdictions That I'm Qualified In or Can Cover
Professional Membership / Certification
SHRM National Lewis and Clark SHRM of St. Charles SHRM of St. Louis SHRM - CP certification since Sept. 2015
Skills
Dynamic and strategic Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience driving people operations across diverse industries, including utility construction, broadband, restaurants, and public sector environments. Proven success in building HR departments from the ground up, scaling organizations from 100 to 500+ employees, and managing multi-state operations. Skilled in organizational development, employee relations, employee engagement, compliance, talent acquisition, and culture-building. Adept at supporting both hourly and salaried workforces and navigating the unique needs of startups, acquisitions, and growing teams. Strong background in apprenticeship program development and workforce training, with national-level leadership experience as Vice Chair of a broadband apprenticeship initiative. Recognized for building trust across all levels of an organization, leading with empathy, and creating practical HR strategies that drive business results. Comfortable in both the boardroom and the field—and always ready to roll up my sleeves to get the job done.
Areas of Professional Interest
My interest lies where every HR practitioner's should . . . in people. Understanding the needs of each level in an organization allows an HR person to view the actual needs of the company. This drives them to recruit differently, write policy differently and approach employee relations issues differently. The investment of knowing what the hurdles are makes the job of scaling them a long-term win for everyone. Beyond my job, I invest in the people in my life and my community. I sit in a few different leadership positions in my community that continuously challenge me to think differently to solve real world problems. I embrace the opportunity to be challenged with people driven problems and bring everyone to the table and empower them to solve problems that will impact the world around us. When you are willing to add seats at the table and voices to the conversation, you are teaching people they are valued, needed, and problem solvers.