Senior-Level

As Vice President of Advisory Services, Elaine Johnson works with clients to design and implement transformational HR strategies and solutions. She previously served as a Human Resources executive with national and international organizations in the transportation, telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare industries.  As a Corporate Development Principal, Johnson led strategic investment initiatives from deal qualification through post-acquisition integration. 

She has an MBA from the University of North Florida, a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of South Florida, and is nationally accredited as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Senior Certified Professional through SHRM (SHRM-SCP). 

Andrea Goodkin is HUB’s People & Technology Consulting Practice Leader. With more than 30 years of combined in-house human resource leadership and consulting experience across diverse organizations, Andrea has a specialized talent for building and developing high-performing human capital programs, systems and teams. She applies her extensive experience in helping clients to build and implement cost-effective and cutting-edge workforce and technology strategies and solutions.

Before joining HUB, Andrea was head of Human Resources for the Northern California offices of Baker McKenzie, one of the world’s largest global law firms. She spent her early career at AtomFilms/AtomShockwave, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, and Federated Department Stores, where she led the development of multiple HR programs and teams.

Andrea graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington. She holds a Certificate from the Human Resource Executive Program at Stanford University, Graduate School of Business, a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Bernadette Jones is a trailblazing HR leader with over 20 years of experience crafting "Culture-First" solutions across diverse organizations. As Human Resource Committee Chair at Richmond Art Center and Professional Development Chair for SHRM Northern California, she champions intentional inclusion and culture-first practices. Bernadette's innovative "Respect in the Workplace Starts With Me®" workshop series addresses crucial compliance and cultural issues. With SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications, she brings deep HR expertise to her roles. Bernadette's leadership in Visionova's participation in SHRM's National HR Registered Apprenticeship Program demonstrates her commitment to nurturing HR talent and enhancing workplace environments. Her work connects over 27,000 HR professionals across 16 SHRM chapters in Northern California.

Dr. Jessica Hicksted, is a resilient and innovative AuDhd woman. With a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology, her research and advocacy serve as a beacon for inclusion and diversity. Dr. Hicksted illuminates the complexities of invisible disabilities, challenging stereotypes and championing workplace inclusivity. Her groundbreaking work includes the development of a pioneering survey, gauging the stigma surrounding invisible disabilities. By dissecting acceptance, ableism, and advocacy, she sheds light on dynamics affecting disclosure decisions in professional settings. Through her work, she emphasizes shifts in workplace culture, enhancing performance and satisfaction where every individual thrives.

Ms. Walters has more than 30 years’ combined experience in management, HR administration, employment law practice, and teaching.

She has presented at conferences across the country, been engaged as an expert witness, and testified before U.S. Congressional and state legislative committees on employment issues.

Her book, “From Hello to Goodbye: Proactive Tips for Maintaining Positive Employee Relations” is in its 2nd edition and was one of the SHRMStore’s “Great 8” best-sellers for eight consecutive years.

Today, Ms. Walters works as an independent consultant doing business as FiveL Company, “Helping Leaders Limit their Liability by Learning the Law.”SM

Melanie Hallenbeck is Chief Growth Officer at Alegeus, leading the company’s go-to-market strategy. With more than two decades of channel experience in the employee benefits and consumer-directed healthcare space, Melanie most recently served as chief growth officer at Elevate, a fast-growing developer of employee benefits technology. Prior to Elevate, she served as chief growth and marketing officer at benefitexpress, which was acquired by Wex, a leading global benefits company. Previously, she was senior vice president at WageWorks, leading the organization’s health plan partner channel business. Earlier in her career, she held senior sales roles at ADP and Progressive Benefits Solutions.

Dr. Diane Bergeron is a social-organizational psychologist and current Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Creative Leadership. She has consulted and worked with Fortune 500 companies. She earned her PhD at Columbia University. Her research and consulting areas include women’s leadership, workplace listening, and grief and bereavement in the workplace. Prior to graduate school, she spent two years volunteering in the Dominican Republic. Formerly, she was an associate professor in a business school at a research university. She took two years off work for a family sailing adventure. It was the best decision she ever made.

Dr. Michael Baran is the CEO of Iris Inclusion, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm. Dr. Baran draws on his own social science research to inform his DEI speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, and eLearning. After teaching at Harvard University, he has been supporting DEI in organizations for 20 years. His work has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, CNN, NPR, and more.

His recent book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion, was named by Forbes as one of “The 11 Books To Read To Be A More Inclusive Leader” and has won several awards.

Dr. Michael Baran is the CEO of Iris Inclusion, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm. Dr. Baran draws on his own social science research to inform his DEI speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, and eLearning. After teaching at Harvard University, he has been supporting DEI in organizations for 20 years. His work has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, CNN, NPR, and more.

His recent book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion, was named by Forbes as one of “The 11 Books To Read To Be A More Inclusive Leader” and has won several awards.

Michael Walters is the CHRO for Samsung Semiconductor, a multi-billion dollar provider of leading edge memory solutions and chip manufacturer that powers the critical industries such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and hyperscale datacenters.  He leads all talent related functions for this business and oversees their community relations initiatives.  Michael has served in HR leadership roles in a wide variety of industries to include United Health Group, Microsoft, Roper Technologies, and Nielsen Entertainment

Michael has taught HR management at the University of Washington for twelve years and is a frequent speaker at SHRM events across the country. He holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Loyola Marymount University and a bachelor's in psychology from University of California, Los Angeles.