Our Team

As Founder and President of The HR Team, Eileen Levitt attains great personal satisfaction in helping small, mid-size, and emerging companies focus on what they do best: directing business growth and profitability.

As the Human Resources Director for Rapid Systems Solutions, a Maryland-based technology firm, Eileen helped grow the company from a staff of 28 to 350 in five years. In her role as Human Resources Administrator for The Discovery Channel, the company grew from 90 to 450 employees in just three years.

In 1996, Eileen re-focused her vast knowledge and experience in human resources, including business strategy, communications, training, coaching, and financial management, to found The HR Team. Eileen has built her company on the strength and commitment of her talented team of employees. In addition to leading The HR Team, Eileen currently serves as a Commissioner on the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. Appointed by the Governor, the Commission is dedicated to ensuring opportunity for all through the enforcement of Maryland’s laws against discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state contracts.

Eileen has also served on the following nonprofit boards: Athena PowerLink Baltimore; Association for Corporate Growth (where she is a past board president); Network 2000 (where she served as chair of the membership, mentoring and philanthropy committees; University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business (where she served on the entrepreneurship advisory board); Jim Rouse Entrepreneurial Fund (where she served on the board); Business Women’s Network (where she is a past board president); American University Alumni Association (where she served as the Baltimore Chapter president) and Leadership Howard County (Class of 2003 and served on the General Membership Executive Committee).

In addition, she has served on the board of Integrity National Corporation, a for-profit, privately-held government contractor based in Rockville, Maryland.

Eileen has been published and/or quoted in numerous magazine and periodicals including: The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, Employment Management Today, HR Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Baltimore Sun, The Business Monthly, Baltimore and Washington Business Journals, The Daily Record, and Forbes.com. She is a featured contributor on negotiation in the Dale Carnegie Sales Training Book Sales Advantage and on the interviewing process for the book The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work. She also served as the “Recruiting Expert” for the online career management site: vault.com

Eileen is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SCP) and holds an MBA from The University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from The American University.

With the honesty, integrity and exceptional work ethic that Eileen brings to her company and to all her community partnerships, she has been recognized and honored with the following awards:

• Baltimore Business Journal: 2014 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses #19
• Maryland Daily Record: 2014 and 2008 Maryland’s Top 100 Women
• Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise: 2013, 2010 & 2008
• Howard County Committee for Business and Economic Diversity: 2011 Individual Achievement Award
• University of Baltimore Alumni Association: 2006 H. Mebane Turner Service Award
• Baltimore Smart CEO Magazine: 2004 Future 50
• Business Women’s Network of Howard County: 2003 President’s Award
• American University Alumni Association: 2003 Ethel L. Smith Award
• US Small Business Administration: 2003 Maryland’s Women in Business – Advocate of the Year

SPHR, SHRM-CP
Karen joined The HR Team in 2001 and has 20 years of diverse human resources experience in the for-profit and non-profit sectors.  As the Consulting Director, Karen is responsible for managing client relations, resource planning, service delivery, project work, quality control, and staff development.  In addition, she provides senior level consulting services to our clients. She has provided outsourced services and managed projects for large and small clients in various industries including accounting, law, technology, non-profit, government contracting, industrial/trades, communications, biotechnology, staffing, trade associations, banking/financial services, travel, and research/scientific.

As an HR Professional, Karen has worked with large and small organizations in various stages of their business cycles. She has experience with HR process and policy development and implementation, benefits design and management, compliance, employee relations and performance management, HR strategy development and implementation, recruitment, and compensation.

Prior to joining The HR Team, she was Director of Human Resources for Tidepoint Corporation and EB Networks. In both organizations, Karen successfully established and grew the human resources departments during periods of exponential growth.

Karen has a BS from York College, an MS in Management from University of Maryland, University College and is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR-SHRM-SCP).  Karen is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA), has served on the board Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center and is a graduate of Network 2000’s Mentoring Program.

SPHR
Joining the HR Team in 2016, Peggy has over 20 years of experience specializing in small to mid-size organizations providing guidance and leadership to senior managers in startup, growth and stable organizations.  Her broad experience includes benefits, employee relations, payroll, talent acquisition and management.  She has experience in various industries including professional services, technology and insurance.

Prior to joining The HR Team, Peggy supported both established organizations and entrepreneurial ventures advising them through their stages of creation, growth, and stabilization. Peggy’s most recent positions have been as HR Manager and Director for technology services companies including Ease Technologies and Advance.  In addition, she provided sales support for Apple Computers. Peggy is most proud of her ability to successfully recruit and team with highly skilled and technical professionals such as software developers and IT engineers.

Peggy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Towson University. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA).

SPHR / HCS
Ms. Ferrell rejoined The HR Team in 2014 and was with the firm from 2006-2009. She has over 19 years of human resources experience with a specialization in talent management including workforce planning, recruiting, training, performance management, employee development and employee engagement. She also has significant experience managing employee relations, benefits, compensation and compliance issues.

Ms. Ferrell was most recently employed as Director of Human Resources for Len The Plumber where she was responsible for working with the management team in defining and implementing training, recruiting, compensation performance management, employee engagement, compliance, workers compensation, benefits and more.

During her prior tenure with The HR Team, Ms. Ferrell developed, participated and implemented various client projects including HR compliance audits, handbook development, job analysis, training, recruiting, and compensation design. In addition, she participated in internal firm projects regarding quality, marketing, and process improvement.

Ms. Ferrell has also held human resources positions with Baltimore County Government, Odwalla, Inc., and the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

Ms. Ferrell has a BA in Communications with honors and an MS in Human Resources Development from McDaniel College. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and is a certified Human Capital Strategist (HCS) by the Human Capital Institute.  Ms. Ferrell is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA). She is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

SPHR, SHRM-CP
Lisa joined The HR Team in 2018.  She has more than 20 years of human resources experience assisting small to mid-size organizations. Lisa brings a wealth of experience across a diverse range of industries including: government contracting, construction management, professional services, education, and not-for-profit businesses. Working directly with and for senior leadership teams, Lisa has designed and implemented recruiting/hiring/onboarding strategies, benefit programs and effective recognition programs, together with managing compliance issues, payroll and defending legal action.

Before joining The HR Team Lisa worked extensively assisting new and existing businesses establish and maintain strong, and compliant, human resource practices. Most recently Lisa worked as the Human Resources Director for a large independent school in Maryland. Lisa is most proud of her work as the founding Chairperson of the Maryland Independent School Consortium that enabled 14 different independent schools to design and purchase health insurance as a large group. The consortium ultimately saved Lisa’s employer more than $250,000 over 4 years while minimizing rate increases and maintaining an extremely strong health insurance program.

Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College and a Master of Science in Employment Law from Nova Southeastern University. She holds certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute  and as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).  She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and  a Notary Public for the State of Maryland.

Kate has 25+ years of diverse human resources and management experience that spans start-ups and established organizations.  She has extensive hands-on experience leading HR initiatives including policy design, compensation, performance management, recruiting, compliance reporting, HRIS implementations, HR workflow development, training and development, and benefits administration.

Prior to joining The HR Team, Kate held human resources leadership positions for several government contractors, including Windermere and its successors Essex and Northrop Grumman.   While at Northrop Grumman, Kate was the Human Resources Business Leader for the Cyber Intelligence & Information Assurance Operating Unit where she supported 300+ employees and partnered with Operating Unit leaders to ensure alignment of HR strategies with business initiatives and goals.  Her roles within Essex and Windermere included management of the compensation program, Affirmative Action and EEO compliance, HRIS management, and development of policy and procedures. Kate was Director of Human Resources for Cidera, Inc. (a global internet satellite infrastructure company,) and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for PGI, Inc. (a corporate communications company.) She was also an independent consultant specializing in human resources for 5 years, and Director of Human Resources for Rowley-Scher Reprographics, Inc.

Kate earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Maryland with a major in Personnel and Labor Relations and is a member of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA).

SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCP®

Mariela joined The HR Team in 2008. She has over 18 years of human resources experience. Mariela has extensive generalist experience working at both large and small firms and is also proficient in creating and implementing productivity-inducing practices through the application of human resource information systems.

Her employment history includes positions such as Human Resources Manager for Hanley Wood, LLC, a Washington, DC based B2B Media Company. In this role she was responsible for evaluating and implementing a company-wide web-based performance review system and developing and delivering training to managers and staff. Prior to that she was the Human Resources Representative at Quintiles, a Bio-tech company in Arlington, VA, where she managed a number of programs, including salary administration, health, life, and retirement and stock benefit plans. Mariela also worked as the Human Resources Generalist at the Washington, DC offices of Faison & Associates where she had direct oversight of the office budget and administrative staff.

Mariela holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Baruch College, is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®). She is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP), World at Work and Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA).

PHR, SHRM-CP
Angie joined The HR Team in 2007. She has over 20 years of human resources experience.  Angie has extensive experience working with Human Resources Information Systems (“HRIS”) and in Human Resources Generalist roles, with large and small companies in a variety of industries including trades/industrial, not-for-profit organizations, technology, banking/financial, law, and professional services.

Prior to joining The HR Team, Angie’s work history includes being a Senior Analyst for Accenture where some of her projects were to analyze and document human resources business requirements for a new information systems implementation (Oracle), manage small and medium sized acquisition projects to ensure all human resources and payroll data correctly mapped into the information system database, managed applicant tracking systems, consulted with clients to analyze, assess and implement changes and additions to the information systems database. Prior to Accenture, Angie was the HRMS Analyst for PHH Arval where she consulted, analyzed  and assessed information system requirements and implemented solutions.  At Alpharma and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Angie held HRIS Specialist positions and was the Human Resources Generalist for Ryland Homes and First Union National Bank.

Angie earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA, Business/Management from Loyola College, Baltimore, MD.  Angie is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR, SHRM-CP), is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and  Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA).

PHR®

Dessie joined The HR Team in 2019. She has more than a decade of human resources management experience, and possesses particular expertise in large-scale recruiting, managing and maximizing employee performance and engagement, and the delivery of superior internal customer service. Dessie is passionate about bringing leading-edge technological solutions into HR functions in order to simplify and streamline processes.

Before joining The HR Team, Dessie was a Human Resources Manager for an award-winning staffing firm that worked with state and local government clients and contractors. She was responsible for employee relations, benefit administration, and compliance in the firm’s fast-paced, high-volume environment. Previously, Dessie was employed as a Senior Human Resources Manager for a large corporation in the recreation industry. There, she led wide-ranging recruitment campaigns; consulted and coached leadership on employee relations issues; trained management staff on performance management, interviewing, and performance appraisals; led the company’s internship program; and supported a diverse international workforce of over one thousand employees.

Dessie holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management and Development from Open University UK and is a certified Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®).

CCP

Jill re-joined The HR Team in 2019 and was with the firm from 2011-2015. Jill is a hands-on, dynamic professional with over 20 years of human resources management experience working in the fields of high technology, government contracting, manufacturing, and healthcare. Her areas of expertise are in compensation design and administration, benefits strategy and operations, HRIS, recruitment and retention, performance management, and staff training & development.

Jill’s most recent work prior to rejoining The HR Team, included the position of Director, Total Rewards at the University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore, Md.

She has also held the position of Director of Compensation, Benefits, and HRIS for BravoHealth, a Medicare Advantage health care provider. While serving in the position her duties encompassed directing all aspects of the company’s compensation and benefits plans as well as implementing a new HRIS system.

Prior to BravoHealth, Jill was Manager of Human Resources for Honeywell Technology Solutions Systems Inc., Honeywell Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary which focuses on providing government contracting services. She also has served as Human Resources Manager for Corvis Corporation (fiber optics manufacturing) as well as various other roles with Harris Corporation (high technology), and Rockwell International (avionics manufacturing).

Jill holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Florida Tech and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from The Pennsylvania State University.