Best HR Consultants in Tampa

Tampa Area HR Consulting Services

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater — often called the “Cigar City” for its rich history and the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast — is a vibrant hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-driven growth. From finance and healthcare to tech startups and nonprofits, the Tampa Bay area combines economic diversity with a collaborative culture, where businesses recognize that people are their most strategic asset. HR consultants play a crucial role in aligning talent, culture, and compliance with business goals, shaping the very fabric of the workforce. They help companies navigate growth challenges, build inclusive environments, retain top talent, and coach leaders to inspire high-performing teams, whether supporting startups, guiding nonprofits, or optimizing established firms.

At Digital Reference, we specialize in identifying and connecting businesses with top HR talent. Through meticulous research and evaluation, we ensure that the consultants featured here are not only based in Tampa but have a proven track record of impact, innovation, and integrity.

Our Methodology: How We Selected These Tampa HR Consultants

Our approach at Digital Reference is both rigorous and human-centered. We assess professionals on their verified expertise, client outcomes, leadership presence, and alignment with Tampa’s business culture.

🌿 Comprehensive Research: Examining LinkedIn profiles, professional websites, client testimonials, and thought leadership contributions.
🌟 Local Relevance: Only consultants based in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area are featured, ensuring they understand the local workforce dynamics.
💼 Philosophical Alignment: We highlight consultants whose approaches reflect Digital Reference’s values — strategic, people-first, and results-driven HR practice.

The following professionals represent a diverse range of specialties, from talent acquisition and executive coaching to HR operations, compliance, DEI, and culture development.

🌟 Meet the HR Consultants in the Tampa Area

♦️ Diana Palumbo

HR Consultant & Talent Strategist
🔗 LinkedIn

Diana Palumbo is known for her strategic approach to HR consulting, blending practical operations with long-term workforce planning. She partners with businesses to create structures that align talent strategies with organizational goals.

✨ Diana’s strengths:
🌱 Expertise in workforce planning and HR process improvement
💬 Skilled in employee engagement and leadership coaching
📈 Helps organizations scale while maintaining culture and compliance
🤝 Known for building strong partnerships with both leadership and staff

Her work reflects Tampa’s entrepreneurial spirit, enabling companies to grow sustainably while prioritizing people.

‍

♦️ Carmen Timm

HR & People Operations Consultant
🔗 LinkedIn

Carmen Timm brings a people-first approach to HR, focusing on operational excellence, compliance, and employee experience. She helps companies implement policies and programs that are scalable, fair, and culturally aligned.

✨ Carmen’s impact includes:
🌟 Experience in designing HR processes for startups and mid-sized businesses
💡 Focus on employee retention and organizational alignment
🧩 Skilled in change management and performance improvement
🌿 Advocates for psychologically safe workplaces

Carmen’s consulting ensures Tampa organizations have HR systems that support both growth and engagement.

‍

♦️ Eric Parker

HR Consultant & Employee Benefits Advisor

🔗 LinkedIn‍

Eric Parker combines strategic HR expertise with insurance and risk management knowledge through his work at Leavitt Group. He advises companies on workforce planning, benefits optimization, and compliance strategies, ensuring both people and business risks are managed effectively.

✨ Eric’s strengths:
📊 Skilled in workforce analytics and strategic planning
🌱 Advises on HR policies, benefits design, and talent management
💬 Guides organizations through complex compliance and risk challenges
🌟 Trusted advisor for Tampa businesses seeking integrated HR and risk solutions

Eric’s work highlights how HR consulting can protect and empower both employees and organizations.

‍

♦️ Karen Donovan

HR & Talent Consultant
🔗 LinkedIn

Karen Donovan specializes in talent acquisition and employee engagement, helping organizations identify top performers and retain them through robust HR programs. She focuses on aligning HR strategy with business objectives for sustainable growth.

✨ Karen’s expertise:
🌿 Talent acquisition and retention strategy
💡 Leadership coaching and team development
📈 HR process optimization and employee engagement initiatives
🤝 Collaborative approach with leadership teams

Karen’s work ensures Tampa organizations can grow with a strong, engaged, and capable workforce.

‍

♦️ Cassandra Bacon, CSP

Founder & HR Consultant, Nonprofit HR
🔗 LinkedIn‍

Cassandra Bacon is a seasoned HR professional specializing in talent acquisition and organizational strategy within the nonprofit sector. As a Consultant in the Search division at Nonprofit HR, she partners with organizations to identify and secure top-tier talent for executive and professional roles.

✨ Cassandra’s highlights:
🌱 Specialized in nonprofit HR, leadership development, and talent management
💬 Delivers workshops and coaching for executive directors and HR leaders
📊 Focused on sustainable HR solutions for mission-driven organizations
🌟 Advocates for equity, inclusion, and employee engagement

Cassandra’s work strengthens Tampa’s nonprofit sector by aligning HR strategy with organizational missions.

‍

♦️ Stuart Charlson

Founder & CEO of ConsultStu
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Stuart Charlson provides HR and management consulting to help organizations optimize performance and culture. He works with both private and public sector organizations to improve employee experience and operational efficiency.

✨ Stuart’s strengths:
🌟 Executive coaching and leadership development
💡 Employee engagement and HR systems design
📈 Strategic workforce planning and operational improvement
🤝 Trusted advisor for HR strategy and culture transformation

Stuart’s consulting reflects Tampa’s business innovation while maintaining a human-centered approach.

‍

♦️ Marilyn Hulsey

Human Resources Executive
🔗 LinkedIn

Marilyn Hulsey leads Right Florida, providing HR solutions for businesses in Tampa and beyond. She specializes in HR compliance, recruiting, and employee engagement.

✨ Marilyn’s focus areas:
🌱 Compliance management and HR policy design
💬 Recruitment and talent strategy for growing companies
📊 Workforce planning and organizational development
🌟 Advocates for fair and supportive work environments

Marilyn’s client-first approach ensures Tampa organizations are compliant, efficient, and people-focused.

‍

♦️ Dr. Patricia Sullivan

HR Consultant & Executive Coach
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Dr. Patricia Sullivan combines HR expertise with executive coaching to guide leaders in building high-performing teams. Her work focuses on leadership development, organizational culture, and talent optimization.

✨ Dr. Sullivan’s strengths:
🌿 Executive coaching for C-suite and senior management
💡 Leadership development and succession planning
📈 Talent management and organizational effectiveness
💬 Facilitates workshops and team-building programs

Dr. Sullivan’s consulting ensures Tampa executives are equipped to lead with impact and purpose.

‍

♦️ Jerry Peña, SHRM-CP, PHR

HR Consultant & Talent Acquisition Specialist
🔗 LinkedIn

Jerry Peña brings certified HR expertise (SHRM-CP, PHR) to Tampa organizations, focusing on compliance, workforce planning, and leadership coaching.

✨ Jerry’s highlights:
🌱 HR compliance and policy development
📊 Talent acquisition and employee engagement
💬 Coaching managers to optimize team performance
🌟 Known for pragmatic and results-driven HR solutions

Jerry helps Tampa companies align HR practices with strategic goals.

‍

♦️ Andrea Cortissoz

HR Consultant & Founder of HR Soul Consulting, CHRL & Certified Executive Coach
🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐 Website

Andrea Cortissoz is the founder of HR Soul, a consulting firm dedicated to people-focused HR solutions. She specializes in talent management, employee engagement, and leadership coaching.

✨ Andrea’s strengths:
🌿 Employee engagement and retention strategy
📈 Leadership development programs
💬 HR process design and operational optimization
🌟 Focused on aligning HR with organizational culture

Andrea’s approach is both human-centered and results-driven, supporting Tampa businesses in building thriving workplaces.

‍

♦️ Paul Cortissoz, SPHR

CEO & Founder of HR Soul, Fractional CHRO, CPO

 🔗 LinkedIn | 🌐Website

Paul Cortissoz, SPHR-certified, leads HR Soul, providing executive-level HR strategy and workforce consulting. He focuses on leadership development, compliance, and performance optimization.

✨ Paul’s impact:
📊 HR policy and process development
🌿 Executive coaching and leadership alignment
💬 Talent management and organizational strategy
🌟 Brings strategic vision with operational expertise

Paul empowers Tampa organizations to grow with culture, compliance, and clarity.

Final Thoughts: Tampa’s HR Landscape and Digital Reference

The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater region is thriving because of its people. HR consultants are critical in shaping organizational culture, aligning talent with strategy, and fostering environments where employees can grow. The professionals featured above exemplify this by blending strategy, empathy, and measurable impact to help Tampa businesses thrive.

At Digital Reference, we’re proud to connect organizations with trusted HR professionals. Our curated research and evaluation process ensures that companies can find experts who deliver results while championing people-first cultures.

Explore more resources like:

• Organizational Development Consulting Services in the USA
• Best Executive Recruitment Consulting Services in the USA
• Best HR Strategy Consulting Services in the USA

Whether you’re seeking guidance on talent strategy, HR operations, or leadership development, the right consultant makes all the difference — and Digital Reference is here to help you find them.