About_us

About Us

We understand the significance of Human Resources in your organization, as it serves as a crucial platform. HR professionals play different roles to safeguard and enhance the growth of your business.

Our esteemed colleague, Michelle Burgess, is an accomplished professional who has earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Administration, Human Resources Management from Franklin University. With more than 15 years of experience in the field, she is the President and CEO of Diverse HR Consulting, located in Jacksonville, FL. Her expertise ranges from providing best practices in human capital planning, resolving employee relations issues, conducting HR audits, and delivering management consulting. Her outstanding career highlights attest to her competency and dedication to ensuring the prosperity of your organization.

Career Highlights:

Bachelor of Science (BS), Healthcare Administration, Human Resources Management, Franklin University

SHRM Certified Professional, Certifications

Michelle Burgess, BS, SHRM-CP

Key Accomplishments

Established the Human Resources Department as Subject Matter Expert for a client, which doubled in size in six months. Scaled practices and policies include payroll, taxes, EE relations, and high-volume recruiting. Structured a new benefits plan, including bidding between brokers for 150 employees. Structured a new 401K plan yielded better company and employee investments.

Saved company more than 50% in administration costs while improving employee services by enhancing best practices; determined more significant gaps, created customized handbooks per state, assessed benefits, and pulled out of PEO in phases.
Improved processes by creating business plans and presenting ROI savings and benefits to leadership; trained managers and employees on new programs, initiated competency performance-based plans to help develop careers, and transitioned the company from PEO to independence.
Supported innovative culture by promoting new initiatives such as learning and development, training, employee engagement activities, and career progression plans.
Created manager training on compliance issues such as harassment, interviewing, bias, and diversity after analyzing risk, reviewing historical data, and predicting growth.
Explored better candidates, improved retention, and improved talent by analyzing high turnover rates and hiring recruiting experts to create protocols for sourcing, interviewing, and time guidelines.
Ensured cost savings, better compliance, and better experience with a more user-friendly system by patiently persisting with C-Suite buy-in for months.
Enhanced employee satisfaction with benefits by finding a broker to help navigate new open enrollment.
Protected the company against future litigation while thoroughly investigating HR issues by placing employees on leave while investigating accusations to reduce allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
Developed change management initiatives by ensuring that projects were effective, efficient, communicated and continuously improving.

Recommendations

Shawna Quintana
Shawna Quintana

Paralegal | Nurse Paralegal | Legal Nurse Consultant | Medical Records Review | Online NotaryMarch 27, 2023, Michelle was senior to Shawna but didn’t manage Shawna directly
I wholeheartedly recommend Michelle for any HR-related position. I had the pleasure of working with Michelle at Case Works, and I can attest to her exceptional skills and dedication to the field of human resources.

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. Her strong interpersonal skills and compassionate nature make her an asset in conflict resolution and employee relations.

Michelle is also a strategic thinker who is always looking for ways to improve HR processes and procedures. She is creative and resourceful and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to any project she undertakes.

Overall, I believe that Michelle would make an outstanding addition to any HR team. She is passionate about her work and dedicated to creating a positive and productive workplace culture. I highly recommend her without reservation.

I wholeheartedly recommend Michelle for any HR-related position. I had the pleasure of working with Michelle at Case Works, and I can attest to her exceptional skills and dedication to the field of human resources. 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. Her strong interpersonal skills and compassionate nature make her an asset in conflict resolution and employee relations. Michelle is also a strategic thinker who is always looking for ways to improve HR processes and procedures. She is creative and resourceful and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to any project she undertakes. Overall, I believe that Michelle would make an outstanding addition to any HR team. She is passionate about her work and dedicated to creating a positive and productive workplace culture. I highly recommend her without reservation.
D.A. Longhi

Senior Account Manager at American Recruiting & Consulting GroupMarch 23, 2023, D.A. was Michelle’s client
I highly recommend Michelle Burgess for her outstanding work ethic and expertise in HR. 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. I have no doubt that she would represent any company well, and her contributions would be invaluable. If you’re looking for someone with a deep understanding of HR and a tireless work ethic, I highly recommend Michelle.

I highly recommend Michelle Burgess for her outstanding work ethic and expertise in HR. 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. I have no doubt that she would represent any company well, and her contributions would be invaluable. If you’re looking for someone with a deep understanding of HR and a tireless work ethic, I highly recommend Michelle.
Jason Tidwell
Thirty Madison
I have had the opportunity to work with Michelle at Case Works, and she has been a wonderful business partner. Fully supportive in all areas of HR and then some. She works tirelessly to ensure all employees are supported and took on the supplemental duties as our People & Culture manager as well. From writing policies and handling corrective actions to leading coffee meets and happy hours, she can do it all!

I have had the opportunity to work with Michelle at Case Works, and she has been a wonderful business partner. Fully supportive in all areas of HR and then some. She works tirelessly to ensure all employees are supported and took on the supplemental duties as our People & Culture manager as well. From writing policies and handling corrective actions to leading coffee meets and happy hours, she can do it all!
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Heather Trost
HR Professional April 7, 2021, Heather reported directly to Michelle
I had the pleasure to work with Michelle on a Workday Implementation Project while also helping building an HR team. Michelle always demonstrated effective leadership and professionalism. 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 2000 employees and executed it beautifully. Michelle is a wonderful asset to any company that is lucky enough to have her.

I had the pleasure to work with Michelle on a Workday Implementation Project while also helping building an HR team. Michelle always demonstrated effective leadership and professionalism. 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 2000 employees and executed it beautifully. Michelle is a wonderful asset to any company that is lucky enough to have her.
Jennifer Ivison
*Travel Agent * HR Professional * Marketing *July 25, 2020, Michelle was Jennifer’s client
Michelle is a compassionate professional willing to assist in helping you understand what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for on my resume. With Michelle’s expertises I am already getting quick responses from companies wanting to set up interviews. Also, Michelle, showed me how to up my game on LinkedIn.
Suzanne P.
Story teller, cheerleader, and big data enthusiastFebruary 4, 2020, Suzanne worked with Michelle on the same team
I have had the opportunity to work with Michelle on multiple projects. Michelle is knowledgeable of Human Resources rules and regulations, she is professional, and she brings a great deal of practical experience to the table.
I also found her to be pleasant and warm in her dealings with employees.

Michelle is a great judge of character, giving her an edge in recruiting efforts as well.

I would be honored to have an opportunity to work with her again.

I have had the opportunity to work with Michelle on multiple projects. Michelle is knowledgeable of Human Resources rules and regulations, she is professional, and she brings a great deal of practical experience to the table. I also found her to be pleasant and warm in her dealings with employees. Michelle is a great judge of character, giving her an edge in recruiting efforts as well. I would be honored to have an opportunity to work with her again.
Andy Brennan
Senior Sales & Marketing Executive • Student, Allied Health Services – Radiology • MRI Support Services at Baptist HealthJanuary 28, 2020, Andy worked with Michelle but on different teams
I had the unique pleasure of meeting Michelle Burgess while going through a lengthy interview process. Very quickly, I found Michelle to be a business-focused, transformative HR leader who thoroughly challenged me through my initial interview, thus bucking the status quo to which I’d become accustomed. I’m grateful to have met her. She is a fantastic leader and a wonderful HR Director role model. It’s easy to see Michelle believes in providing the best client experience possible and truly makes a difference for her company.

I had the unique pleasure of meeting Michelle Burgess while going through a lengthy interview process. Very quickly, I found Michelle to be a business-focused, transformative HR leader who thoroughly challenged me through my initial interview, thus bucking the status quo to which I’d become accustomed. I’m grateful to have met her. She is a fantastic leader and a wonderful HR Director role model. It’s easy to see Michelle believes in providing the best client experience possible and truly makes a difference for her company.
Jaime Kennedy, MPH

Employee Benefits Fanatic | Problem SolverJanuary 16, 2020, Jaime worked with Michelle on the same team
Michelle is a thoughtful leader who strives to always look out for the best interests of the company she works for. 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! I would highly recommend Michelle for any position that is looking for a skilled HR leader.

Michelle is a thoughtful leader who strives to always look out for the best interests of the company she works for. 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! I would highly recommend Michelle for any position that is looking for a skilled HR leader.
Milly Gutierrez
Senior Client Business Partner | Customer Success Advocate | Strategic and Trusted Partner | SaaS |January 16, 2020, Milly worked with Michelle on the same team
Michelle is just amazing to work with. She is thorough and detailed. She is very knowledgeable in benefits administration and helping clients with their challenges.
Char Ann Lackey
Striving daily to perform at the highest level in everything we doJanuary 9, 2019, Char Ann was Michelle’s client
Michelle is very knowledgeable and detail oriented. She always made sure we as clients understood what we were doing every step of our implementation and beyond!
Michelle went above and beyond when there were new updates in the program(s) and made sure things continued to run smoothly.
I’m proud to say we became friends during our working tenure and continue to support each other as friends not just business associates.

Michelle is very knowledgeable and detail oriented. She always made sure we as clients understood what we were doing every step of our implementation and beyond! Michelle went above and beyond when there were new updates in the program(s) and made sure things continued to run smoothly. I’m proud to say we became friends during our working tenure and continue to support each other as friends not just business associates.
Liz Bryant, SPHR
Sr. Project Manager – BenefitsSeptember 18, 2018, Liz was senior to Michelle but didn’t manage Michelle directly
Michelle is a client-focused problem solver with great knowledge, attitude, and drive. She’s proficient in HR practices and policies, and benefits. A great asset to any organization that is lucky enough to have her!
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Carla E.

HCM Consultant IIJuly 19, 2018, Carla worked with Michelle on the same team
I had the pleasure of working with Michelle for the last year at ADP and have nothing but great things to say. I highly recommend her, she would be an asset to your company. She represents true professionalism as an HR/Benefits manager, she is diligent and thorough.
Kaitlin Popaja
ManagementJune 4, 2018, Kaitlin worked with Michelle but on different teams
Michelle has a tremendous amount of knowledge in the HR/Benefits field. She is my go to person for all things HR. Michelle is a problem solver with a “get it done!” attitude and is always willing to help. She is a wonderful asset to our team.
Jennifer Enquist
Director, Supplier Center of Excellence at Pontoon SolutionsJanuary 31, 2018, Jennifer worked with Michelle but on different teams
I had the pleasure of working with Michelle on and off for the last 4 years as both a client of mine and helping her find employment. During these last four years, I was extremely impressed with Michelle’s professionalism and character. Michelle is very passionate and has great vision for her work. Her focus keeps everything moving smoothly, she makes sure all the deadlines are met, and makes sure that whatever project she is working on meets the highest standards. Michelle would make an excellent addition to any organization.

I had the pleasure of working with Michelle on and off for the last 4 years as both a client of mine and helping her find employment. During these last four years, I was extremely impressed with Michelle’s professionalism and character. Michelle is very passionate and has great vision for her work. Her focus keeps everything moving smoothly, she makes sure all the deadlines are met, and makes sure that whatever project she is working on meets the highest standards. Michelle would make an excellent addition to any organization.
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Gloria Ware
Customer Solutions SpecialistApril 3, 2016, Gloria managed Michelle directly