About Us
Our consultants play an essential role in the success of our firm. We have a dynamic team who value and share the firm's commitment to professional excellence, the highest ethical standards, diversity, collegiality and community service.
Expand HR Consulting comprises a diverse group of consultants with in-depth experience working successfully with organizations and individuals. Our clients view us as trusted advisers in addressing their human resource challenges.
Stacey Berk
Phone: 301.502.1191
E-Mail Stacey
Stacey Berk has built Expand HR Consulting one client, and one success story, at a time. Launched in 2006, Stacey serves as Founder & Managing Consultant to the growing team of Expand HR’s trusted human resources consultants and strategists. Specializing in executive search and compensation, Stacey’s primary role remains to continually evolve the organization and ensure that each client’s needs are met.
With over 20 years of professional human resources experience, Stacey earned her degree in Human Resources & Conflict Management, with a minor in General Management, from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs. Upon graduation, Stacey was offered a position on the human resources team at Internet Interstate (now a Verio company). Stacey then joined Sodexo’s US headquarters overseeing corporate recruiting and human resources for this global leader in food and facilities management services. With over 110,000 employees during Stacey’s tenure, her responsibilities included overseeing employee relations and recruitment, policies and compliance, coaching, performance management and diversity outreach for corporate.
As her breadth of industry expertise, versatility and reputation as a consummate professional grew, Stacey focused her strengths and know-how to working directly with clients.
At Expand HR Consulting, Stacey works closely with her team to provide clients with proven guidance across all facets of the HR process including career development, interview coaching and one-on-one training, comprehensive compensation and benefits analysis and planning, DEIB-related policy reviews and planning, as well as targeted, strategic recruiting outreach best practices. An expert in employee relations, conflict management, and executive coaching, Stacey is also well versed in related federal and state employment laws offering Expand HR’s clients unmatched professional direction and guidance. In addition, Stacey holds her certification from Cornell University’s Leadership Program in Diversity and Inclusion for Human Resources.
Always looking to grow within an ever-changing HR landscape, Stacey is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), WorldAtWork, and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Stacey is regularly featured as a trusted media source for outlets including Media Bistro, The Muse and SHRM.org. Links to Stacey's writing about HR topics can be found in the Expand HR Articles section.
With a commitment to serving her community, Stacey volunteers her time with nonprofit organizations to support and further the work and fundraising efforts of charitable education and outreach programs such as Dunks for Diabetes, a local chapter of the American Diabetes Association, as well as a local women’s shelter. She also shares her passion for food, baking, and great culinary experiences within her successful Expand Kitchen & Home blog.
Erica Thomas, SPHR
Erica is a senior generalist who works with clients in New York City and Washington, DC.
Erica has more than 15 years of human resources experience with expertise in aligning HR activities with strategic business goals. She has strong knowledge in recruitment, employee relations, compensation, benefits, international HR and training. She has provided human resources services to nonprofit, technology, airline and legal industries.
Erica earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). She serves on the Associate Board of Gilda’s Club of New York City. Erica has worked for Expand HR Consulting since 2012. Erica has her certificate in Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business.
Erica Raphael
Phone: 301.257.8947
E-Mail Erica
Erica is a senior generalist who works with clients virtually and in the Washington, DC area.
Erica has more than 25 years of experience in human resources and nonprofit administrative operations. Before becoming a consultant, she worked for Iona Senior Services as Director of Administration, HR and Development for twenty years.
Erica is an outsourced HR Generalist for nonprofit, biotechnology and government contracting clients in Washington, DC. She has worked on numerous HR research, compliance, benefits and employee development projects for clients of varying size and complexity and has done work to support nonprofit boards of directors.
Erica has been a consultant with Expand HR Consulting since 2008. She completed the Social Entrepreneurship Program for Nonprofits training from Community Wealth Ventures Inc. Erica holds her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her master’s degree from the University of Chicago, both in cultural anthropology. Erica holds her certificate in Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business.
Danielle Gilbert
Danielle is a skilled Human Resources Consultant. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in business administration and holds two master’s degrees in human resources management and in Public Administration from Strayer University. Danielle continues to pursue education, including two certifications from the Society of Human Resources Management including the SHRM Certified Professional designation and a certificate in workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business.
Danielle works with EHR’s clients on generalist consultation, training initiatives and facilitation. Danielle has worked with EHR since January 2021. Danielle has experience with a large healthcare organization as a Director of Human Resources where she was responsible for all aspects of administration, employee engagement and development, employee relations, and training. Previously she worked for Lowe’s and Circuit City, respectively, as a Human Resources Manager. She has experience at many levels supporting exempt, nonexempt and hourly employees. Danielle is approachable, easy to work with, responsive and has a strong grasp of generalist human resources concepts. She is a strong facilitator and often serves as our lead trainer.
Danielle works with EHR’s clients on training initiatives and facilitation. She is a facilitator and leads the certification preparatory courses for the HR Certification Institute. Danielle has worked with EHR since January 2021.
Sharon Ossi
Sharon, a consultant with EHR, is a generalist who works with clients virtually and in the Washington, DC and Maryland area. She has been with EHR since July 2016. She has experience in executive and specialty search, HR compliance research, onboarding projects and professional development engagement. She has developed and managed internship programs and campus recruiting. She conducts research to support EHR’s compensation and benefits practices and human resources consulting projects. Sharon has assisted and helped manage complex discrimination and sexual harassment investigations and trainings.
Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from UMBC. Her Master’s Capstone project involved developing an internship program for one of EHR’s clients.
Amy Taylor
Amy is a Human Resources Consultant with EHR.
Amy is a graduate of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology, and a bachelor’s in Psychology. Amy holds her certificate in Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business. Amy has DEIB and outreach experience working for a non-profit organization that improves the daily life for adults with mental illnesses.
She assists EHR’s Senior HR Consultants with various projects and initiatives, conducting research and analysis. She also assists with general human resources administration to support recruitment and retention activities for clients. Amy has worked as an investigator and provided research support on several investigations varying in nature for EHR.
Joe Boone, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Joe Boone is a human resources generalist with over 20 years of experience in recruiting, employee relations, performance management, compliance, compensation, and benefits. He prides himself on strong client service.
After a distinguished career as a Marine Corps officer, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Joe began working in human resources. Joe was a human resources manager for two large companies in the automotive and manufacturing industries before transiting into human resources consulting. He as a consultant with EHR on recruiting and human resources projects.
Joe holds his bachelor's degree in human resources management from the University of Hawaii and his master's degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Joe is working towards a certificate in Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business.
Gwen Alessi
Gwen Alessi is a Human Resources Consultant with EHR. She assists clients with search and recruiting consulting projects.
She has 15 years of professional experience in human resources, finance and program administration. Specifically, she has 8 years of human resources experience in recruitment, compensation and benefits.
Gwen received her MBA from the University of Buffalo and her BA in math from SUNY College of Geneseo. She also enjoys volunteering and has been part of nonprofit organizations such as the local YMCA branch, Ronald McDonald House of WNY, and currently is a Board member of the Williamsville Education Foundation.
Brianna Vasey
Brianna is a Jr. Human Resources Consultant with EHR. She assists senior consultants with recruitment, research, employment investigations and special projects.
Brianna will be completing her graduate degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology in May 2024. She has her bachelor’s in psychology from Towson University. She holds her certificate in Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business.
Komala Peddakolimi
Komala is attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, pursing a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology. She is expected to graduate in May 2024. She has her bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, with a focus on Modern Literature.
Komala is working toward her certificate in Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business. She was previously a DEIB program coordinator intern for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she helped to conduct research and analyze problems, evaluate and assess various methods to fill the gaps for the Chief DEIB Officer.
In her work with EHR, Komala assists Senior HR Consultants with various projects and initiatives and conducts research and analysis. She also assists with general human resources administration to support recruitment and retention activities for clients.
HR Internship Program
The firm offers an internship program for students to gain unique HR consulting experience. The Human Resources Intern will assist with recruiting, generalist project preparation, support, and research for senior consultants. The position is approximately 5-10 hours a week. Students are offered the chance to earn their certificate in DEIB (paid for by EHR) and participate in a networking skills seminar. Interns will work remotely in a virtual team. This position is best suited for a candidate looking to grow.