Meet HR Strategy Group
Amy Polefrone, MPA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CLC, CCP, CGCP
Chief Executive Officer
Amy guides the strategic direction of HR Strategy Group with an inspiring vision built from 30+ years of human resources leadership experience. She is known for her drive, positive attitude, and keen attention to problem solving in every client engagement. Amy leads the Search & Recruitment practice, Leadership Development Practice, and HR Crisis Management Practice.
Amy states, “I started HR Strategy Group in 2008 to bring together a group of smart, talented consultants help clients solve tough business problems – how and when they need us. I’m still excited every day to work with our incredible team and our amazing clients! I am inspired by our clients and believe me when I say, ‘we are honored to work with you!’ We take your confidence in us seriously.”
Amy is a member of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Howard County Human Resources Society, DC SHRM, BWI Business Partnership, Maryland Nonprofits, and Howard Chamber of Commerce. She speaks to industry groups about the importance of aligning values to all aspects of the workplace. When values are aligned, magic happens!
Prior to starting HR Strategy Group, Amy held HR management positions at major corporations, worked as a Presidential Management Fellow within government agencies, and taught as an adjunct instructor at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Amy received her M.P.A. from The American University and B.A. from The College of Wooster. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resource Resources (SPHR) and SHRM-SCP designations, the highest designations available to HR professionals. Amy is a Certified Coach Practitioner (CCP), Certified Group Coaching Practitioner (CGC), and Certified Leadership Coach (CLC) through the Certified Coaching Federation.
Areas of Expertise: CEO Consultations, Board Governance, Executive Search, Crisis Management, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Compensation, Workplace Investigations, HR Policy/Handbooks
What You Can Call Me For: Sounding Board to Executives (I love to brainstorm problems with you!), Strategic Planning, and having tough conversations about solvable problems (Note, I didn’t say “easy” problems!)
MBTI Personality: ENTJ (“The Field Marshall”)
Favorite Books: The Checklist Manifesto, Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, The E-Myth Revisited, Co-Active Coaching, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, and any cookbook!
Favorite Podcasts: Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell, Deep Cover, Against the Rules with Michael Lewis, Envoy Recorded Radio, Solvable, All American, Getting Even with Anita Hill
Hobbies & Free Time: Time with my family (husband, son, daughter & her family), walking with my 2 schnoodles, and cooking for my family & friends (I LOVE cooking!).
My Motto: Trust the process!
Donna Miracle, SPHR, CCP, CLC
Chief Operating Officer
Donna brings 25+ years of HR experience to HR Strategy Group and the clients who are lucky enough to work with her! Donna leads the HR Advisory Practice and Executive Coaching Practice at HR Strategy Group. With her years of experience in management and human resources, Donna has earned a reputation for being relationship-driven, knowledgeable, responsive, and helping to solve tough business problems. She is passionate about helping clients to discover their passions and their own resiliency to solve problems. Donna speaks to groups about HR best practices – and resiliency in a fast-changing world.
Donna is more than an HR consultant – she is an experienced executive and business coach. Donna is actively involved with several community and professional organizations. Prior to joining HR Strategy Group, Donna held HR management positions at a variety of small and mid-size businesses.
Donna received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Howard County Human Resources Society, and holds the Senior Professional in Human Resource Resources (SPHR) designation, the highest designation available to HR professionals. Additionally, Donna is a Certified Coach Practitioner (CCP) and Certified Leadership Coach (CLC) through the Certified Coaching Federation. Donna and her family live in Catonsville, Maryland.
Areas of Expertise: CEO Consultations, HR Advisory Services, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Public Speaking, Compensation and Benefits
What You Can Call Me For: Sounding Board to Executives (I love to brainstorm problems with you!), Strategic Planning, HR Nuts & Bolts (I’ve seen and done it all!), and developing the emerging leaders in your organization.
MBTI Personality: ENFJ (“The Idealist”)
Favorite Books: The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, The E-Myth Revisited, Leading Change, Punished by Rewards, Discipline Without Punishment, and the Art of Living.
Favorite Comedians: Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Robin Williams, Tom Papa, Ali Wong, and Jack Whitehall (and Louise Gussin, she’s a riot!).
Hobbies & Free Time: Time with my daughter, time with my family and friends, swimming (or in many cases floating), crafting (when I’m stressed, I make things!) and traveling the world (and to Disney World – my happy place!).
My Motto: What gets measured, gets done!
Louise Gussin, JD, MDE, CCP, CLC
Chief Client Engagement Officer
Louise is an experienced HR expert, focusing on escalated employment and HR issues. Her work focuses on HR Advisory Services, Board Advisory Services, and HR Crisis Management. She has 30+ years of legal, management, and human resources experience including 20+ years of experience with training, teaching, and instructional design. Louise is known for her keen intellect, incredible sense of humor, and helping clients manage very complex projects and problems.
Prior to joining HR Strategy Group, Louise served as Chief of Staff, Vice President for Administration, and General Counsel for Maryland University of Integrative Health; secretary to the Board for MUIH; Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland (Educational Affairs Division); senior instructional designer and course manager for CampusMBA/Mortgage Bankers Association; Academic Director for the Legal Studies program at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC); and independent training consultant for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Education.
Louise received her Juris Doctorate (with honors) from the University of Baltimore School of Law, her Master of Distance Education from University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly University of Maryland University College), her B.S. in Paralegal Studies from UMGC, and her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in human resource and personnel management from UMGC. Alongside her work with HR Strategy Group, Louise is an adjunct professor for UMGC’s Legal Studies program. Louise is a Certified Coach Practitioner through the Certified Coaching Federation. Louise and her husband live in Punta Gorda, Florida.
Areas of Expertise: HR Policy Development, Board Advisory Services, Workplace Investigations, Respectful Workplace Training, and Executive Coaching.
What You Can Call Me For: Workplace Investigations, Board Governance, Training Programs for your team, multi-state HR policies and handbooks, Organizational Design.
MBTI Personality: ESTJ (“Life’s Great Administrator”)
Favorite Books: The Checklist Manifesto, Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite TV Shows: Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Silent Witness, Prime Suspect, Will Trent
Hobbies & Free Time: Time with my husband, walking Mona (my rescue dog), photography, yoga, and being in the boat on the water
My Motto: Trust the details.
To speak with us now, call (443) 813-2652