HR Consultants in Atlanta to Watch for in 2025

Meet the HR Leaders Shaping Atlanta’s Talent Ecosystem

Atlanta has always been a city of vision. Known for its entrepreneurial spirit, cultural leadership, and deep legacy of civil rights advocacy, it's no surprise that the metro area has become a hotspot for business growth, especially in tech, logistics, healthcare, and the nonprofit sector. As we head deeper into 2025, that growth brings with it new complexity—and a renewed demand for people-first strategies that can scale with agility and intention.

That’s where HR consultants step in. Atlanta’s most trusted HR experts are helping organizations rethink everything from recruitment and retention to culture transformation, DEI strategy, and compliance. Whether you're a founder building your first HR foundation or an enterprise leader driving operational change, the right consultant can make all the difference.

At Digital Reference, we’re committed to helping organizations build smarter, more human hiring systems—and that includes connecting them to the HR professionals who lead with purpose. This guide highlights standout HR consultants in Atlanta who are redefining how work gets done in 2025.

Before you dive in, explore related reads:

• HR Consultants Near Me
  
  
• HR Consultants & Talent Experts: What Do They Do?
  
  
• Human Resources Professionals: What Are They and What Do They Do?
  

Our Selection Methodology

Every professional featured in this list was selected based on:

• ✅ Local presence in the greater Atlanta metro area
  
  
• ✅ Demonstrated excellence in HR consulting or leadership advisory
  
  
• ✅ Credibility through public reputation, client impact, and thought leadership
  
  
• ✅ Specialization in areas such as DEI, organizational design, talent strategy, or startup HR
  
  
• ✅ Alignment with Digital Reference values: trust, transparency, innovation, and inclusivity
  

Featured HR Consultants in Atlanta

Chris Hicks

Founder & President, Targeted HR Consulting
LinkedIn | Website

Chris Hicks is the founder of Targeted HR Consulting, a firm laser-focused on helping construction, manufacturing, and small business leaders solve the unique people challenges that come with scaling specialized workforces. With over 15 years of HR leadership experience, Chris has earned a reputation for delivering results where others struggle—especially when it comes to sourcing skilled labor, improving retention, and keeping companies compliant in high-risk, high-regulation sectors.

At the heart of Chris’s approach is a deep understanding of blue-collar and industrial environments. Having supported companies through major transitions—like guiding one firm from 180 employees and $49M in revenue to over 300 employees and $75M—he knows that hiring and HR aren’t just checkboxes. They’re strategic levers that directly impact productivity, safety, and profitability.

Through Targeted HR, Chris offers targeted support for companies that can’t afford the costs of bad hires, compliance missteps, or high turnover. His firm provides fractional HR leadership, recruiting, diversity strategy, and workforce optimization—all customized for the realities of trades-based and industrial businesses. Clients turn to Targeted HR to simplify hiring pipelines, scale up seasonal labor needs, and align people operations with long-term business goals.

Chris doesn’t just help companies find talent—he helps them keep it. Under his leadership, Targeted HR has implemented diversity and development programs that led to a 28.8% increase in workforce diversity and an 8% reduction in turnover. His firm is trusted to ask the right technical questions, screen for industry-specific competencies, and deliver only qualified candidates—often reducing time-to-hire and improving fit in roles where precision matters.

He’s also been recognized for his impact on culture and community, earning nominations for Putting People First, Outstanding Corporate Citizenship, and High Performance Culture awards.

Targeted HR stands apart not just for its results, but for its commitment to real partnership. Chris and his team work closely with clients to modernize compliance practices, navigate OSHA and wage laws, train leaders, and create data-driven workforce strategies that hold up under pressure.

For growing companies in construction, manufacturing, or trades-heavy industries, Targeted HR isn’t just a consultant—it’s a long-term ally in building a better, stronger workforce.

Lori Winters

Founder & CEO, THREAD HCM
LinkedIn | Website

Lori Winters brings decades of business leadership and human capital strategy to her role as CEO of THREAD HCM. Based in Roswell, THREAD is more than just a payroll company—it’s a full-scale human capital management partner for companies that want to grow efficiently while staying grounded in culture. Lori’s leadership style blends high-tech with high-touch, guiding organizations through HR transformation, systems implementation, and compliance with both confidence and compassion.

Her firm supports clients with strategic onboarding, performance management, time tracking, and ACA compliance—backed by a clear belief: HR should help companies thrive, not slow them down. 🌐

Tonia Morris

Founder & Chief Culture Disruptor, Simply HR, Inc.
LinkedIn | Website

Tonia Morris is a nationally recognized speaker, generational workplace expert, and culture strategist. As the self-described “Culture Disruptor” behind Simply HR, she helps organizations design inclusive, future-forward workplaces that attract and retain diverse talent. Tonia specializes in bridging generational gaps in the workforce—an essential skill in a city as dynamic as Atlanta.

Her programs address unconscious bias, talent pipeline development, and multigenerational engagement. She’s also the founder of the Generational Connector Institute, a platform for learning how to lead across age, identity, and experience. 💡

Stephanie Hodge

Founder & Managing Principal, Essex Consulting
LinkedIn | Website

Stephanie Hodge leads Essex Consulting with a commitment to workforce innovation. Her background spans corporate HR, DEI strategy, and organizational development, making her a trusted partner for companies undergoing transformation. At Essex, Stephanie focuses on leadership development, culture alignment, and HR diagnostics that equip teams to grow with clarity.

Her work is particularly impactful for mission-driven organizations, nonprofits, and mid-sized firms navigating change. Stephanie’s approach is both systems-oriented and deeply human-centered. 🧭

Sheree Knowles

Founder, HR Knowledge Source
LinkedIn | Website

Sheree Knowles is a powerhouse in Atlanta’s HR consulting space. As the founder of HR Knowledge Source and co-founder of Human Capital Consultants, Sheree delivers strategic HR solutions to fast-growth companies and Fortune 500s alike. With over 20 years of experience, she advises leaders on talent development, compliance, performance management, and leadership coaching.

Sheree is also a noted speaker and SHRM-Atlanta board member, contributing thought leadership across HR education and practice. Her work is marked by depth, responsiveness, and measurable results. 📊

Jennifer Vilines

Founder & Chief People Officer, PEPL
LinkedIn | Website

Jennifer Vilines leads with creativity and strategy at PEPL, a firm committed to building more thoughtful and inclusive workplaces. With a background in talent acquisition and people operations, Jennifer partners with organizations to develop culture-forward HR practices rooted in belonging and impact. She’s especially effective at aligning leadership behaviors with values and outcomes.

Her work emphasizes authenticity, employer branding, and people systems that serve both the business and the individual. In short, she helps companies build teams that feel good to work on. 💬

Aja Jenkins

Founder & Principal Consultant, Principal HR Consultants
LinkedIn | Website

Aja Jenkins is a strategic HR advisor and coach who brings clarity and structure to growing organizations. Through Principal HR Consultants, she provides customized support in fractional HR leadership, performance management, policy creation, and culture design. Aja's background includes both corporate HR and small business advising, making her uniquely adaptable.

Whether guiding startups or nonprofits, she brings empathy, practicality, and a clear commitment to equity into every engagement. 🛠️

Zeynep Cevikel

Founder, WizeHR
LinkedIn | Website

Zeynep Cevikel is an international HR leader with a passion for solving complex workforce challenges. At WizeHR, she leads a team that offers everything from outsourced HR and compliance to onboarding systems and compensation planning. Her approach is data-driven but personal, combining strategic rigor with a global mindset.

Zeynep brings particular strength in tech and manufacturing environments, offering scalable solutions for fast-paced, high-risk sectors. 🌍

Haley McNeal

Founder, MyThrive Consulting
LinkedIn | Website

Haley McNeal empowers women-owned businesses, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs through MyThrive Consulting. With a background in HR, operations, and coaching, she helps founders align their values with their people strategies—especially during periods of scaling or restructuring.

Her services range from job architecture and HR policy audits to strategic planning and team development. Haley’s mission-driven lens makes her a trusted guide for purpose-led organizations. 💫

Cynthia Jenkins

Founder & Principal Consultant, Elevated HR
LinkedIn | Website

Cynthia Jenkins brings deep knowledge and dynamic leadership to Elevated HR, where she helps businesses of all sizes grow with confidence. Her specialties include talent acquisition, employee relations, strategic HR planning, and leadership development. Cynthia’s background spans both corporate and entrepreneurial environments, allowing her to adapt to client needs with ease.

Her thoughtful, coaching-forward style helps leaders strengthen culture and unlock team potential—without losing sight of results. 🧠

Why Atlanta’s HR Scene Is Worth Watching 🍑

Atlanta’s HR landscape is as bold and dynamic as the city itself. It’s home to trailblazers who are bridging business goals with human needs—especially in industries that are growing fast and demanding more from their people strategies. Whether in logistics, fintech, education, or healthcare, Atlanta’s HR consultants are stepping up to meet the moment.

What sets Atlanta apart? It’s a region that blends Southern hospitality with big-city innovation, and HR leaders here carry both qualities into their work. From equity-centered talent design to scalable HR systems for growth-stage companies, Atlanta is shaping the national conversation on what inclusive, effective leadership really looks like.

Why Digital Reference Is Here for It

At Digital Reference, we believe hiring should be smarter, more transparent, and rooted in trust. Our platform takes the stress and guesswork out of professional reference checks, helping hiring managers and HR teams get authentic insights—faster and with more clarity.

But beyond technology, we’re also committed to community. By spotlighting top HR consultants in cities like Atlanta, we’re helping businesses find the people who can truly move them forward. Whether you're designing your first performance system or scaling a remote team, we’re here to connect you with the experts who get it—and get results.

Because when hiring is built on trust, everybody wins. 🏆

✅ Check Out Our Local Directories of HR Consultants by City

• United States – Nationwide
  HR Consultants in the USA to Watch
  From coast to coast, this national roundup highlights HR consultants who are setting the standard across industries—from tech startups to manufacturing and mission-driven nonprofits.

• New York City
  HR Consultants in New York City to Watch
  In the city that never sleeps, HR consultants juggle complex compliance, diversity initiatives, and leadership development in finance, media, fashion, and beyond.

• Los Angeles
  HR Consultants in Los Angeles to Watch
  From entertainment giants to fast-growing creative agencies, LA’s HR scene blends culture-savvy consulting with innovation in employee experience and DEI strategy.

• Chicago
  HR Consultants in Chicago to Watch
  Known for its corporate headquarters and thriving startup ecosystem, Chicago is a hub for HR pros helping companies navigate scaling, restructuring, and workplace culture.

• Washington, DC
  HR Consultants in Washington DC to Watch
  In the heart of the nation’s capital, HR consultants support policy-driven orgs, nonprofits, and government contractors with people-first strategies and compliance expertise.

• San Francisco
  HR Consultants in San Francisco to Watch
  With a tech-heavy client base, SF consultants specialize in startup scaling, remote team management, and designing inclusive, innovative workplaces.

• Dallas
  HR Consultants in Dallas to Watch
  From energy to healthcare to enterprise tech, Dallas-based HR consultants are driving organizational growth across industries in this high-opportunity metro.

• Houston
  HR Consultants in Houston to Watch
  Houston’s HR experts serve major sectors like oil and gas, healthcare, and logistics—helping companies modernize practices while navigating complex labor environments.

• Boston
  HR Consultants in Boston to Watch
  Home to top universities and biotech firms, Boston’s HR consultants often work at the intersection of academic excellence, healthcare innovation, and startup acceleration.

• Toronto
  HR Consultants in Toronto to Watch
  Canada’s business capital boasts a diverse HR consulting scene that blends global perspective with deep local knowledge across tech, finance, and public service.

• London
  HR Consultants in London to Watch
  London’s HR consultants balance legacy financial institutions with rising tech and creative firms, offering strategic talent support across global markets.

• Sydney
  HR Consultants in Sydney to Watch
  In one of APAC’s most influential business centers, Sydney-based HR professionals help organizations scale sustainably while championing well-being and workplace equity.

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