About Us

Human Resources serves as the backbone of every successful organization, and HR professionals play pivotal roles in safeguarding and enhancing business growth. At Diverse HR Consulting, we understand this critical importance and are committed to delivering exceptional HR solutions that drive organizational success.

Meet Our Leader

Michelle Burgess, BS, SHRM-CP
President & CEO, Diverse HR Consulting
Jacksonville, FL

Michelle Burgess is an accomplished HR professional with over 15 years of expertise in human resources management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Human Resources Management from Franklin University and is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Michelle’s comprehensive expertise spans human capital planning, employee relations, HR audits, and management consulting. Her proven track record demonstrates her commitment to ensuring organizational prosperity through strategic HR initiatives.

Key Accomplishments

Organizational Development & Growth

  • Established a complete Human Resources Department as Subject Matter Expert for a client organization that doubled in size within six months
  • Scaled practices and policies including payroll, taxes, employee relations, and high-volume recruiting
  • Structured comprehensive benefits plans, managing broker negotiations for 150+ employees
  • Implemented new 401K plans that yielded improved company and employee investment outcomes
 

Cost Optimization & Process Improvement

  • Achieved over 50% reduction in administration costs while enhancing employee services through best practice implementation
  • Identified operational gaps and created customized employee handbooks tailored to state-specific requirements
  • Successfully transitioned companies from PEO arrangements to independent operations
  • Developed business plans with clear ROI presentations to leadership teams
 

Training & Development

  • Created comprehensive manager training programs covering compliance issues including harassment prevention, interviewing best practices, bias awareness, and diversity initiatives
  • Implemented competency-based performance plans to support career development
  • Promoted innovative learning and development initiatives, employee engagement activities, and career progression programs
 

Talent Management & Retention

  • Analyzed high turnover rates and partnered with recruiting experts to establish improved sourcing, interviewing, and hiring protocols
  • Enhanced talent acquisition processes resulting in better candidate quality and improved retention rates
  • Developed change management initiatives ensuring effective, efficient, and well-communicated organizational transitions
 

Risk Management & Compliance

  • Conducted thorough investigations of HR issues, implementing appropriate protective measures to reduce litigation risks
  • Managed complex harassment, discrimination, and retaliation allegations through proper investigative procedures
  • Created user-friendly systems that improved compliance while reducing costs and enhancing user experience

Client Testimonials

“I wholeheartedly recommend Michelle for any HR-related position. Michelle is an expert in HR policies and practices and has a deep understanding of employment laws and regulations. She is an excellent communicator and can effectively convey complex information to employees at all levels of the organization.”
— Shawna Quintana, Paralegal | Nurse Paralegal | Legal Nurse Consultant

“Michelle is one of the hardest workers I know, and her dedication to her work is unmatched. Her attention to detail and ability to handle complex tasks make her an excellent fit for any company’s HR needs.”
— D.A. Longhi, Senior Account Manager, American Recruiting & Consulting Group

“She truly is an ‘HR Encyclopedia’ with a broad understanding of all HR topics. She took the lead on the Workday implementation for a company of over 2,000 employees and executed it beautifully.”
— Heather Trost, HR Professional

“Michelle is a business-focused, transformative HR leader who thoroughly challenged me through my initial interview, thus bucking the status quo. She is a fantastic leader and a wonderful HR Director role model.”
— Andy Brennan, Senior Sales & Marketing Executive, Baptist Health

“She has exceptional experience in the HR/Benefits world and brings diverse ideas from her experience working in payroll and serving very large clients (with 20,000+ employees). She’s seen it all!”
— Jaime Kennedy, MPH, Employee Benefits Specialist

Our Commitment

At Diverse HR Consulting, we are dedicated to providing strategic HR solutions that align with your business objectives. Our approach combines deep technical expertise with practical experience to deliver results that matter. Whether you need comprehensive HR audits, policy development, employee relations support, or strategic planning, we bring the knowledge and dedication necessary to help your organization thrive.

Ready to transform your HR operations? Contact us today to discover how Diverse HR Consulting can support your organization’s growth and success.