Best HR Consultants in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Area HR Consulting Services

Minneapolis–St. Paul, the “Twin Cities,” is more than just the cultural and economic hub of Minnesota — it’s a dynamic ecosystem where innovation, business growth, and community intersect. From Fortune 500 headquarters to nimble startups, organizations across the metro area face increasingly complex workforce challenges. HR consultants in Minneapolis play a critical role in shaping the city’s business landscape, helping companies attract and retain top talent, streamline operations, and cultivate vibrant, inclusive workplace cultures.

At Digital Reference, we specialize in connecting organizations with consultants who don’t just advise — they transform. (Learn more about our methodology in our About Digital Reference page.) Our curated list below highlights HR professionals who are making a tangible impact across the Twin Cities. Some operate independently, others run their own firms, and some are embedded within established agencies — yet all share a common commitment to people-first HR practices. For insights on building an effective HR function, check out our HR Strategy for Business Leaders guide.

Our Methodology: How We Selected Minneapolis’s Top HR Consultants

Our selection process at Digital Reference combines extensive research, rigorous evaluation, and contextual insight:

💼 Proven Impact: Real-world results and measurable improvements in workforce performance.

🧠 Depth of Expertise: Certifications (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR) and demonstrated HR leadership.

🌐 Local Presence: Active engagement in the Minneapolis–St. Paul business community.

💬 Client Feedback: Testimonials and success stories validating strategy and execution.

🔍 Digital Footprint: Verified online presence through LinkedIn, websites, and thought leadership.

This methodology ensures that the consultants featured here are truly equipped to guide organizations in the Twin Cities, from managing compliance to fostering culture and developing leadership pipelines.

Meet the Minneapolis Area HR Consultants

♦️ Sue Emerson Bergstrom

Founder & Principal Consultant, HR Connection
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 HR Connection

Sue Emerson Bergstrom is a seasoned HR consultant with decades of experience guiding Minneapolis organizations through talent and culture challenges. Her focus is on creating people-first HR strategies that balance compliance, organizational growth, and employee engagement.

💡 Focus Areas: Employee relations, HR strategy, leadership coaching, and DEI initiatives

🧩 Philosophy: Sue believes that HR should empower organizations to achieve business goals while supporting the human side of work.

🌱 Achievement: She has designed scalable HR frameworks for mid-sized companies, improving retention and operational efficiency, and has guided executive teams in aligning HR practices with strategic objectives.

Her consultancy emphasizes hands-on, practical solutions, making her a trusted partner for Twin Cities businesses seeking structured yet empathetic HR leadership.

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♦️ Vana Greischar

Senior HR Consultant & Talent Strategist at Lakeside HR Group
🔗 LinkedIn

Vana Greischar specializes in organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and workforce transformation. She is recognized for her ability to integrate people strategy with business strategy, helping clients achieve measurable results.

💡 Focus Areas: Leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement

🧩 Philosophy: Vana focuses on aligning organizational objectives with human capital strategy to drive sustainable performance.

🌱 Achievement: She has guided nonprofits and corporations in designing development programs that strengthen leadership pipelines and foster resilient workplace cultures.

Her data-informed yet people-centric approach ensures organizations are equipped to navigate growth while maintaining a strong cultural identity.

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♦️ JC Johnson, MA

Human Resources Leader at Lakeside HR Group
🔗 LinkedIn

JC Johnson is an expert in organizational design, performance management, and employee development. With a master’s degree and years of consulting experience, JC helps companies translate strategic goals into actionable HR initiatives.

💡 Focus Areas: Performance management, organizational design, leadership coaching

🧩 Philosophy: JC emphasizes measurement and feedback loops, using data to support human-centered HR interventions.

🌱 Achievement: He has successfully implemented performance frameworks for clients across healthcare, finance, and professional services, boosting productivity and engagement metrics.

JC’s approach blends analytical rigor with empathetic coaching, ensuring HR interventions are both effective and human-focused.

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♦️ Kristin Nordling

Founder & CEO at Lakeside HR Group
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐Website

Kristin Nordling is a seasoned HR executive and founder of Lakeside HR Group, where she provides tailored HR consulting and recruiting services to small and mid-sized businesses. Her expertise spans HR leadership, organizational development, and talent strategy, helping organizations navigate complex workforce challenges while building high-performing teams.

💡 Focus Areas: HR strategy, talent acquisition, organizational development, leadership coaching

🧩 Philosophy: Kristin believes HR should be a collaborative partner in business transformation, aligning people practices with organizational goals to drive measurable impact.

🌱 Achievement: She has led Lakeside HR Group to national recognition, grown the team to 17 consultants and recruiters, and has been named a 2025 Notable Leader in Recruitment & Talent by Twin Cities Business magazine.

Her consulting approach emphasizes partnership and practical solutions, ensuring that HR strategies are not only implemented but embraced, creating sustainable growth and strong workplace cultures.

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♦️ Nicole Peterlin Schnell, SHRM-CP

People Operations and, Senior HR Consultant at Lakeside HR Group
🔗 LinkedIn

Nicole Peterlin Schnell is a SHRM-certified HR professional with a proven track record in HR compliance, employee engagement, and leadership consulting. She helps Minneapolis organizations create HR systems that scale with growth.

💡 Focus Areas: Employee relations, HR policy design, organizational compliance

🧩 Philosophy: Nicole believes in embedding HR strategy into business planning to ensure sustainable success.

🌱 Achievement: She has partnered with multiple firms to streamline HR operations, enhance retention, and foster a culture of accountability and growth.

Nicole’s hands-on methodology ensures organizations don’t just have policies — they have living HR systems that support employees and leaders alike.

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♦️ Michelle Bunde

Sr. Business Partner / Sr. HR Consultant at Lakeside HR Group‍

 🔗 LinkedIn

Michelle B. combines talent management expertise with strategic HR consulting. Her focus is helping organizations attract, develop, and retain top talent while maintaining alignment with corporate strategy.

💡 Focus Areas: Talent acquisition, learning & development, employee engagement

🧩 Philosophy: Michelle emphasizes coaching leaders to maximize human potential while ensuring HR processes are effective and scalable.

🌱 Achievement: She has implemented HR programs that have measurably improved team cohesion and professional development outcomes in corporate and nonprofit organizations.

Her consulting approach is rooted in collaboration, ensuring HR solutions are adopted and embraced across all levels.

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♦️ Rachel Tuenge

Lead Recruiter and HR Consultant
🔗 LinkedIn

Rachel Tuenge specializes in change management, HR strategy, and leadership development. She partners with organizations to foster cultures that embrace adaptability and innovation.

💡 Focus Areas: Change management, organizational development, HR strategy

🧩 Philosophy: Rachel believes that effective HR strategies anticipate challenges and empower employees to thrive during transitions.

🌱 Achievement: She has led organizational redesigns that reduced attrition, increased engagement, and improved operational efficiency.

Her focus on practical, actionable strategy makes her a sought-after consultant in the Minneapolis area.

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♦️ Janey Gohl, MSOD, SPHR

Senior HR Consultant & Organizational Development Specialist
🔗 LinkedIn

Janey Gohl is recognized for her expertise in organizational development, leadership coaching, and strategic HR planning. She brings a holistic approach to HR consulting.

💡 Focus Areas: Leadership development, strategic HR planning, organizational effectiveness

🧩 Philosophy: Janey emphasizes aligning HR initiatives with organizational culture and long-term strategy.

🌱 Achievement: She has worked with executives to implement development programs and performance frameworks that boost retention and engagement.

Janey’s strategic and empathetic methodology helps organizations create workplaces where people and business goals thrive together.

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♦️ Samantha Hagel, SHRM-SCP

HR Consultant & Workforce Strategist
🔗 LinkedIn

Samantha Hagel brings strategic insight and hands-on HR expertise to Minneapolis businesses. Her focus is on driving results through leadership development, policy design, and workforce optimization.

💡 Focus Areas: Policy development, leadership coaching, workforce strategy

🧩 Philosophy: Samantha blends compliance with strategy to help companies achieve operational excellence and employee satisfaction.

🌱 Achievement: She has improved operational HR systems and guided leadership teams to achieve alignment with organizational goals.

Her work ensures HR is both a strategic partner and a people-first function.

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♦️ Karen Stenoien, SHRM-CP

HR Consultant

🔗 LinkedIn

Karen Stenoien specializes in HR process improvement, compliance, and employee engagement strategies. She works with businesses to create practical, sustainable HR solutions.

💡 Focus Areas: HR compliance, process optimization, employee relations

🧩 Philosophy: Karen believes in clear, actionable HR systems that empower employees and support leadership decisions.

🌱 Achievement: She has implemented HR frameworks for mid-sized companies, resulting in better compliance and increased employee satisfaction.

Her practical and results-focused approach makes her a go-to consultant for Minneapolis businesses needing strong HR foundations.

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♦️ Sarah Kerbeshian, SHRM-SCP

Founder & Principal Consultant, Kerbeshian Strategic HR Consulting
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Sarah Kerbeshian brings extensive experience in HR strategy, leadership development, and organizational transformation. She helps Minneapolis organizations align their people practices with business goals.

💡 Focus Areas: HR strategy, leadership development, organizational design

🧩 Philosophy: Sarah believes that HR should drive business impact while fostering a supportive culture.

🌱 Achievement: She has guided organizations through strategic transformations, improving leadership capacity, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.

Her consultancy blends strategic rigor with human insight, ensuring organizations thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Why Minneapolis Organizations Rely on Top HR Consultants

The Minneapolis–St. Paul HR community is vibrant, innovative, and essential to the success of the Twin Cities’ diverse economy. From employee engagement to leadership development, compliance, and culture building, these consultants are helping organizations navigate a rapidly changing workforce landscape. Whether running their own firms, consulting independently, or partnering within agencies, each brings a unique blend of expertise, strategy, and people-first philosophy to the table.

At Digital Reference, we curate and highlight HR experts who can transform businesses, improve employee experiences, and enable leaders to thrive. For more insights on elevating HR practices, check out:

• Best HR Strategy Consulting Services in the USA
• HR Consultants in Atlanta to Watch
• Seattle Area HR Experts to Know

Partnering with the right HR consultant can make all the difference, and our Minneapolis list represents some of the very best in the field — guiding businesses to not just survive, but thrive, in one of the country’s most dynamic job markets.