HR Consultants in Los Angeles to Watch for in 2025

Los Angeles HR Experts to Know in 2025

At Digital Reference, we believe HR consultants are more than just fixers—they’re architects of company culture, translators of vision into operations, and steady hands during high-growth or high-stress moments. And in a city like Los Angeles—where industries collide, creativity thrives, and scale happens fast—this work matters more than ever.

That’s why we’ve created this curated spotlight on LA-based HR consultants: from Long Beach to Burbank, from Anaheim to Inglewood. These are the strategists, coaches, and builders changing how work works—whether they're running their own boutique firms or embedded within larger teams. Some are compliance experts. Others are culture whisperers. All of them are shaping the next chapter of HR in Southern California.

How We Built This List

We don’t publish lists lightly. At Digital Reference, we invest time in deep research, ecosystem mapping, and ongoing conversations across industries. Our process includes:

• 🧠 Reviewing consultant portfolios and case studies
  
  
• 📞 Interviewing clients and colleagues to understand each consultant’s impact
  
  
• 📊 Analyzing alignment with future-of-work principles, including equity, inclusion, and people-first design
  
  
• 🌐 Mapping local HR networks across Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim to identify emerging and established leaders
  
  

Our lens is shaped by Digital Reference’s core values: surfacing operators who do the real work, championing clarity over clout, and elevating people-first talent strategies. Learn more about our POV in HR Consultants in the USA to Watch and What HR Consultants Really Do.

Now let’s meet the standouts.

Sabrina Baker

Founder, Acacia HR Solutions
LinkedIn | Website

When Sabrina Baker founded Acacia HR Solutions in 2010, she was driven by a deeply personal mission: to help small businesses build strong, people-first workplaces. After being laid off during maternity leave, she turned a difficult experience into an opportunity—and built one of the most trusted HR consulting firms in the startup and small business space.

Headquartered in Los Angeles but with consultants nationwide, Acacia HR Solutions is built for the unique dynamics of small businesses. Sabrina and her team understand that startups and emerging companies need HR solutions that scale to fit their budgets, their size, and their stage of growth. From one-off HR projects to full fractional HR support, Acacia helps businesses navigate every phase of the employee lifecycle with compliance, care, and creativity.

Sabrina is also a leading expert in some of the country’s most complex employment markets—including California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Each of Acacia’s consultants brings over a decade of in-house HR experience, giving clients practical, real-world expertise they can trust. Whether building HR infrastructure from scratch or supporting fast-growing teams, Sabrina and her firm deliver solutions that work in the real world—not just on paper.

One of the hallmarks of Acacia’s approach is flexibility. The firm offers three tiers of service to meet small businesses where they are:

• Fractional HR support for companies needing an outsourced HR team
• Project-based HR for key needs like handbook development, compensation structure, or training
• My HR Expert hotline, a subscription service giving businesses on-demand HR expertise when they need it most

Sabrina’s work extends beyond compliance and policies—she believes in building workplaces where people truly thrive. She is certified in both the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Hogan Assessments, tools she uses to help teams deepen understanding, improve communication, and foster stronger relationships. Her firm’s leadership development, team-building workshops, and executive coaching programs reflect a core belief: when companies focus on both skills and personality, they build cultures that attract and retain top talent.

As co-founder of DISRUPTHR Los Angeles, Sabrina also helps energize and inform the broader HR community. Through dynamic events held twice a year, she brings together HR professionals, business leaders, and innovators to explore the future of work and leadership.

Signature Strengths:

🚀 Fractional HR support tailored to small businesses and startups

⚖️ Expertise in labor law compliance, especially in complex states like CA and NY

📚 Leadership development and team building using MBTI and Hogan Assessments

📊 Building scalable HR programs across the full employee lifecycle

☎️ On-demand HR expertise through Acacia’s My HR Expert hotline

🎙 Co-founder of DISRUPTHR Los Angeles and active voice in the HR community

Sabrina often says that when we better understand ourselves and others, we communicate more effectively and build better relationships. Through Acacia HR Solutions, she helps businesses do exactly that—one leader, one team, one company at a time.

Diana Steel

Founder, Diana Steel Consulting
LinkedIn | Website

Diana Steel is the kind of leadership consultant who not only transforms organizations—she transforms the leaders behind them. With over 18 years of corporate HR and leadership experience, Diana helps C-suite executives, startup founders, and entrepreneurs bridge the gap between vision and execution. Through her firm, Diana Steel Consulting, she provides strategic leadership coaching and HR consulting designed to drive measurable business outcomes.

Diana works with clients across industries—including healthcare, services, and SaaS—providing customized solutions in leadership development, organizational transformation, and human capital strategy. Her evidence-based, real-world approach is shaped by both her corporate background and certifications from globally recognized leadership organizations such as the John Maxwell Team and True Colors International.

Known for her no-nonsense coaching style, Diana partners closely with executives and management teams to foster authentic leadership presence, deepen emotional intelligence, and build cultures of innovation and resilience. Whether she’s guiding a founder through organizational change, helping a leadership team enhance communication, or facilitating strategic workshops, her goal is simple: empower leaders to lead with clarity and impact.

Clients turn to Diana for far more than traditional consulting—they gain a strategic partner focused on delivering action-oriented tools, frameworks, and insights that stick. Her process—Discovery, Development, and Delivery—ensures every engagement is tailored to the client’s unique strengths and challenges, with learning that translates directly to performance.

In addition to executive coaching and HR transformation, Diana offers training in leadership demeanor, organizational communication, entrepreneurial execution, and culture-building. She has also helped clients implement policies around employment law and compliance, navigate sensitive employee relations issues, and design leadership training programs that scale.

As a keynote speaker and trainer, Diana delivers dynamic presentations on topics such as strategic transformation, innovation, and emotional intelligence—equipping leaders to thrive in today’s complex business landscape. Above all, she’s passionate about creating workplaces where communication is fostered, employees are engaged, and business goals are met.

💠 Signature Strengths:

🗝 Executive leadership coaching for C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs, and startups

🧠 Leadership demeanor and emotional intelligence development

🚀 Driving strategic transformation and innovation across organizations

📈 Human capital strategy, talent optimization, and organizational development

🎙 Keynote speaker and trainer on leadership, culture, and execution

🤝 Building strategic partnerships and fostering authentic organizational communication

Tonyel Thompson

Founder, Real HR Hero
LinkedIn | Website

Tonyel Thompson isn’t just an HR consultant—she’s a self-described "HR hero" for a reason. With over 20 years of experience in workforce development, DEI, and HR leadership, Tonyel helps companies build fair, inclusive, and high-performing environments with confidence.

Real HR Hero is built on the idea that human-centered HR is strategic HR. Tonyel and her team deliver solutions that feel real: rooted in compliance, driven by equity, and personalized to fit the organization’s culture—not just the industry standard.

Clients turn to Tonyel for:

• 🦸‍♀️ Practical, no-fluff HR systems and handbooks
  
  
• 🌈 DEI strategy that centers impact, not just optics
  
  
• 📊 Workforce audits that go beyond the surface to reveal actionable insights
  
  

The Digital Reference Team had the opportunity to interview Tonyel Thompson to better dive into her firm's approach to HR.

Here are a few things we learned from our conversation with Tonyel:

At the heart of Thompson’s work is a clear belief: companies do better when they care—really care—about the people inside them. And she’s seen firsthand what happens when HR is done right.

“What I love about fractional HR is the variety. I get to support so many different kinds of people and businesses. But more than that, I get to help companies that want to do better. That’s who we’re looking for—clients who care.”

Why Toneyl Made Our 2025 List

Tonyel exemplifies the qualities we look for in standout HR consultants:

• ✅ Founder, Fractional CHRO, and HR Consultant She leads her own firm but also has deep experience as a solo practitioner.
• ✅ U.S. Reach: Though based in Los Angeles, Tonyel supports clients everywhe
• ✅ Proven Expertise: Her HR background covers the gammut:

“Some of our clients want us to do it all,” she says. “From onboarding and payroll to benefits and compliance—we’re basically their full HR department. Others need more targeted help, like support during a performance issue or help offboarding someone. Every engagement is tailored.”

• ✅ Specialization: Tonyel combines leadership development with compliance ensuring clients stay compliant and human.

Whether it’s onboarding frameworks, leadership training, or helping founders navigate tough conversations, Tonyel shows up as a steady partner and a voice of clarity. She’s not afraid to ask the hard questions—or help you find the honest answers.

Tonyel is also featured as one of our Fractional CHROs Making Things Happen in LA.

Mario Portugal

LinkedIn

Mario Portugal is a bilingual HR leader who knows how to meet organizations where they are—and move them forward with agility. With experience in hospitality, healthcare, and union environments, Mario specializes in employee relations and conflict resolution that rebuild trust and repair culture.

What makes Mario stand out:

• 🧩 Deep experience with complex labor relations and compliance issues
  
  
• 💬 Skilled in bilingual facilitation (English/Spanish) for inclusive workplace communication
  
  
• 💡 Strong focus on root-cause problem solving, not just surface-level fixes
  
  

Mario is known for helping organizations de-escalate conflict and find common ground. His calm, thoughtful demeanor makes him a trusted advisor to executives and hourly employees alike. In fast-paced, people-heavy industries, Mario is a go-to partner.

Amoi Alawoya

Founder, Niche Unlimited
LinkedIn | Website

Amoi Alawoya is all about transformational HR strategy—and she’s built Niche Unlimited to serve organizations that want to rethink how they hire, onboard, and retain. With roots in recruitment, Amoi understands the power of the first impression and builds full-spectrum people strategies that center belonging.

Niche Unlimited is more than just a consulting firm—it’s a culture architect. Amoi leads with:

• 🧲 Candidate experience design that aligns with brand values
  
  
• 🪜 DEI strategy built into every layer of the talent lifecycle
  
  
• 🛠️ End-to-end HR system development for scaling startups
  
  

Clients consistently say that Amoi “brings humanity back into HR.” She’s especially impactful for early-stage companies that want to build a strong people foundation with purpose.

Shannon Taylor

Founder, Avec Coeur HR
LinkedIn | Website

The name of Shannon Taylor’s firm—Avec Coeur, or “with heart”—says it all. She leads her consulting practice with emotional intelligence, empathy, and a belief that culture can’t be an afterthought. It’s the core product.

Shannon’s strengths include:

• 🩺 Trauma-informed people practices
  
  
• 🧠 Executive coaching that blends EQ with performance strategy
  
  
• 🧰 Building equitable systems that scale with compassion
  
  

Clients rave about her ability to foster psychologically safe environments—even in high-pressure, high-stakes industries. With roots in education and social work, Shannon brings a community-centered lens to traditional HR tools. She’s especially sought after by mission-driven startups and nonprofit orgs.

Carolina Gallegos & Julianne Rodriguez

Co-Founders, Zenly Solutions
Carolina's LinkedIn | Julianne's LinkedIn | Website

Zenly Solutions is where HR meets behavior science. Founded by Carolina Gallegos and Julianne Rodriguez, Zenly provides HR consulting tailored specifically for organizations serving neurodiverse communities—including clinics, schools, and behavior health orgs.

Their services include:

• 🧠 Behavior-informed HR strategy and policy design
  
  
• 🔍 Performance management through a neurodiversity lens
  
  
• 📈 Scalable compliance systems for ABA-focused teams
  
  

Both founders have deep experience in HR and behavioral science, making their work especially relevant in healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors. Zenly is more than a consultancy—it’s a values-driven partner for orgs that need people systems as unique as the populations they serve.

Katherine Haliski

Founder, Real Human HR
LinkedIn | Website

Katherine Haliski launched Real Human HR to do exactly what the name implies: help companies treat people like… people. With a strong background in tech and creative industries, she supports startups, agencies, and purpose-driven businesses that want to embed humanity into their HR systems.

What she offers:

• 💬 Founder-friendly HR coaching
  
  
• ⚖️ Balance of compliance and culture in early-stage orgs
  
  
• 📚 Systems for feedback, performance, and growth
  
  

Clients describe Katherine as a “translator” who helps founders and execs understand HR in a way that doesn’t feel robotic or risk-averse. Her work is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply collaborative.

Ebony McKnight

Founder, McKnight Resource Solutions
LinkedIn | Website

Ebony McKnight is a strategic HR consultant who blends tactical support with visionary thinking. At McKnight Resource Solutions, she helps organizations navigate the full employee lifecycle—from hiring and onboarding to development and retention—with clarity and intention.

Ebony’s core services include:

• 📜 Compliance and policy development
  
  
• 🔁 Talent development and performance management
  
  
• 🌱 Inclusive hiring and culture consulting
  
  

She has a deep background in higher ed, corporate, and nonprofit spaces, and brings a justice-oriented lens to her work. Ebony’s clients appreciate her directness, strategic thinking, and focus on building workplaces that last.

Taniesha Johnson

LinkedIn

Taniesha Johnson brings over two decades of executive-level HR experience to the table—along with an unmatched ability to create strategic alignment between people and business outcomes. Her background spans retail, healthcare, and the nonprofit sector, making her a dynamic partner for organizations facing big transitions.

Her expertise lies in:

• 🔄 Change management and culture transformation
  
  
• 🎯 Strategic workforce planning
  
  
• 🤝 Leadership coaching with an equity-first lens
  
  

Taniesha is a big-picture thinker who understands how every HR decision—from benefits to DEI to organizational structure—ripples through a company. She’s often described as a “stabilizing force” in moments of change, helping teams not just survive, but truly evolve.

SoCal HR Is Quietly Transformational

At Digital Reference, we say this often: you don’t have to be loud to lead. That’s especially true in the LA region—where HR consultants are transforming businesses, quietly but powerfully.

They’re helping startups get their first systems right. They’re guiding nonprofits through growth spurts. They’re teaching leaders how to build culture from day one. And they’re doing it in a city that thrives on creativity, scale, and reinvention.

✅ 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.

• 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.

A Note from Digital Reference

At Digital Reference, we exist to map the real talent ecosystem—one built not on buzzwords, but on outcomes. We elevate the quiet leaders: the HR operators, culture architects, and compliance whisperers who actually make businesses run.

We build with a research-first approach that’s rooted in interviews, network analysis, and clarity. If you want to learn more about what HR professionals actually do, or how to find the right one for your org, check out:

• HR Consultants in the USA to Watch
  
  
• What HR Consultants Really Do
  
  
• What Are Human Resource Professionals?
  

We’ll be updating this list over time. Know someone in the LA area we should add? Send them our way.

And if you’re an HR consultant doing the real work—building teams, solving messes, creating change—you’re already in the right place. 

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