Talk to an HR Expert

Category: Blog

Feel like you are hanging out the 2nd story window?

woman hanging wreath on house

This month’s lesson comes from Lisa Boss, Consulting Director for The HR Team. One warm December Saturday, my family was thrilled to be putting up our outdoor Christmas decorations without shivering! While I was hanging almost all the way out of a 2nd story window to attach wreaths, my 4-year-old granddaughter looked up from the front […]

How to Inspire and Motivate Your Employees with Actionable Positive Feedback

How to Inspire and Motivate Your Employees with Actionable Positive Feedback

Leadership training is often focused on providing constructive feedback, but we often forget that actionable positive feedback is just as important. It may be common to dwell on the negative and overlook the positive, but that’s to everyone’s detriment. While it’s necessary to provide some constructive criticism to help employees perform at their best, too […]

Do You Need an Outside HR Partner? Watch for These Six Telltale Signs

Do You Need an Outside HR Partner? Watch for These Six Telltale Signs

As the business landscape grows increasingly complex, more and more companies are turning to experienced HR partners to manage their critical human resources functions. Human resources is involved with virtually every department and every employee, so managing it effectively takes significant time and effort. It’s an essential investment though, because getting it right will help […]

The Evolution of HR: Three Ways this People Function is Raising the Corporate Bar

The Evolution of HR: Three Ways this People Function is Raising the Corporate Bar

Human resources is the architect of the employee experience. As the evolution of HR continues, purpose-driven philosophies have become core business drivers.   Once upon a time, human resources was known as the personnel department. Personnel refers to the people who perform work for a company. Human resources, in contrast, encompasses the tools to recruit, train, […]

😱 Don’t let your employee communications give you a fright!

airplane panic

At the beginning of 2001, we took a family Spring break trip to the Bahamas. It was a group tour that had its own charter flight. We were approaching Nassau, and the pilot announced that the weather wasn’t good to land and that we would be circling the airport for a bit. However, he stated […]

HR Roles in Employee Engagement: Four Important Considerations for Today’s Workplace

HR Roles in Employee Engagement: Four Important Considerations for Today’s Workplace

From talent management to enforcing ever-changing labor laws, the human resources department plays a key role in business operations. Due to its people-focus at all levels of the organization, HR is also a primary facilitator of employee engagement. Employee engagement matters. It’s no secret that companies with engaged workforces vastly outperform those without them. When […]

Employment Laws for Remote Employees: 18 Important Things to Know for Compliance

As employers adjusted their workforce arrangements amid the COVID health crisis, remote work quickly gained widespread acceptance. For the most part, remote employment has meant working from a home office. But the “work from anywhere” concept is being taken literally by a growing number of workers, who may now be toiling away from far-flung locations […]

👓 Starting today, it’s time for a fresh perspective!

mother with infant outside

As the seasons change, it’s time for a fresh perspective. I remember many years ago, when our daughter was an infant, we took her outside. She looked around with what appeared to be delight on her face. She turned her head in different ways with intensity, gasps, and squeals of what appeared to be glee. […]

Beware of the Business Buzzword User: Say Goodbye to Tired Jargon and Catchphrases

Say Goodbye to Tired Jargon and Catchphrases

Have you noticed that advertisers, presenters, and business colleagues are peppering their communications with lots of jargon these days? It’s become a problem in organizations of all sizes and types. Jargon limits people’s understanding of the topic being discussed, leaving employees and customers confused. Some business buzzword users may be trying to show off their […]

Allison Rodriguez

Senior HR consultant

B.A. in History and Minor in Pre-Law

Allison is a strategic Human Resources Business Partner with more than 10 years of global HR experience across start‑ups, high‑growth organizations, and large corporate environments. Known for a collaborative and empathetic approach, Allison builds trusted relationships with leaders and employees while aligning people strategy with business goals to strengthen culture, engagement, and retention.

Most recently, Allison served as Principal Consultant at HR Partner Pro, supporting small businesses with compliance reviews, handbook updates, onboarding materials, and day‑to‑day HR guidance. This period also included preparation for the SPHR certification.

Before consulting, Allison was Senior HR Generalist at Uplifter Brands, where she built the HR function from the ground up following a merger. Her work included organizational design, compensation strategy, pay equity analysis, HRIS implementation, and employee relations, as well as supporting immigration and compliance needs.

Earlier, Allison worked as an HR Consultant with Hollstadt Consulting for BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, providing employee relations support, leading investigations, advising managers, and contributing to COVID‑19 response and retention initiatives through data‑driven reporting.

Prior roles include HR Manager at Pear Deck (acquired by GoGuardian), where Allison supported rapid scaling in a remote environment, led onboarding and engagement programs, coached managers, and developed compensation and DE&I initiatives. Allison also served as a Global HR Business Partner at Laureate International Universities, supporting U.S. and international finance teams on talent strategy, succession planning, and global HR operations.

Allison began her HR career at Sogeti as an HR Manager supporting consultants across Maryland, followed by early experience as a Corporate Recruiter with Jones Networking.

Allison holds a Bachelor of Arts from Old Dominion University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a major in History and a minor in Pre‑Law.  She previously held a PHR certification and is currently preparing for the SPHR exam.

Rachel Alansky

Director of Consulting

M.A. in Higher Education Administration

Rachel Alansky is the Director of Consulting at The HR Team, where she leads the firm’s HR practice. She brings more than 20 years of human resources leadership experience supporting nonprofits, associations, and mission‑driven organizations.

Previously, Rachel founded and led Seamless HR Solutions, a full‑service HR consulting firm established in 2009. Through that work, she partnered closely with executive teams to build scalable HR infrastructure, strengthen compliance, and implement practical best practices across the full employee lifecycle, including recruiting, employee relations, compensation and benefits strategy, payroll administration, and policy development. In 2026, Seamless HR Solutions merged with The HR Team.

Prior to launching her consulting firm, Rachel held senior HR leadership roles at organizations including Billington Wines, Raffa, PC, B’nai B’rith International, and Covenant House, where she led multi‑state HR operations and delivered meaningful cost and process improvements.

Rachel holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Muhlenberg College. She is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and a committed community leader.

Christy Hull

Senior Consultant

SHRM-CP

Christy has 20+ years of Human Resources experience in all aspects of Human Resources Management.  She is most proud of her skills in creating legally sound and practical policies and developing strategic workflow processes for growing and entrepreneurial organizations.   Throughout her career, Christy has worked with leadership as a consultant, assisting with performance management, communication, and organizational structure. She serves as a strategic partner by recruiting the right people and developing them for success.  She is experienced in managing change, growth, and mergers/acquisitions.

Prior to joining The HR Team, Christy worked with both large corporations, small businesses and start-up companies.  She gained diverse HR experience while working at Lockheed Martin, where she held positions as HR Specialist, Generalist, and  SE Regional Technical Recruiter.  She continued her HR experience by establishing the HR department for a startup telecommunications company. Through this position, she created the HR infrastructure for the startup company while helping manage change through 3 acquisitions, of which the final was  T-Mobile.  Most recently, she has found a passion for working with small businesses and helping them reach their goals. Some of the industries Christy has worked in include government contractors, retirement communities, engineering firms, and move management companies.  With her last employer, she worked as a Regional HR Director and later Regional Managing Director.

Christy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida Southern College with a major in Business Administration, specializing in Human Resources Management.  She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and earned her professional HR certification (SHRM-CP).  Christy enjoys giving back to the community and has held volunteer positions with Give Kids the World, United Way, Junior Achievement, and The Alzheimer’s Association.

Jill Johnston

Senior Consultant

SHRM-CP

Jill joined The HR Team in 2021. She has 20 years of human resources experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and cultural development. Jill is an HR professional with proven success driving continuous improvement across HR services, formulating/implementing people management strategies, and analyzing interpersonal conflict factors. In addition, Jill is passionate about creating and nurturing a culture of excellence in the workplace.

Before joining The HR Team, Jill was the Director of Human Resources and sole human resources practitioner for a nonprofit housing agency in Baltimore, MD. Jill began her tenure in finance before moving into human resources, where she established the nonprofit’s human resources department from the ground up. In doing so, she created and implemented all HR standards and compliance, employment policies, procedures, job descriptions, and performance management processes. 

As human resources director, she has focused on full employee lifecycle needs, organizational development, succession planning, and benefits administration. Over the years, Jill’s expertise has earned her a reputation for her ability to resolve internal conflicts by employing demonstrated structural and interpersonal management skills. In addition, Jill is a sought out leader on workplace diversity issues, having recently served as a panelist for a joint Department of Justice and Futures Without Violence conference regarding workplace inequalities. Jill is a 17 year graduate of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Leadership Program sponsored by Neighborhood Builders. It supports over 2,800 nonprofit leaders advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods. Jill also served as Board Secretary for the housing nonprofit and collaborated with the Board of Directors in strategy formulation and implementation.

Jill earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Lincoln University. She has taken coursework towards her Master’s in leadership management at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Jill is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-CP), a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA).

Dwan Keith

Senior Consultant

PHR®, SHRM-CP®

Dwan has 20 years of Human Resources experience directly working with small to mid-sized companies. She is a strategic business partner and has worked alongside senior leaders throughout her career. Her passion is driven from creating an engaging and collaborative workforce.

Prior to joining The HR Team, Dwan supported both for profit and nonprofit organizations as the sole member of their HR Department.  In her roles as a HR Manager, she has gained experience in the Finance, Health Care, Automotive and Government Contracting industries. She has worked to build programs that support HR initiatives while implementing internal processes that facilitate corporate objectives. Her vast experience includes labor and employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, payroll, talent acquisition, HRIS migration, training and policy and procedures.

In Dwan’s free time, she teaches English as a second language (“ESL”).

Dwan earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington Adventist University and a Master of Science in Administration Human Resources Management from Central Michigan University. She has earned certifications from the Society of Human Resource Management and Human Resources Certification Institute as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management and her local Montgomery County SHRM Chapter, where she sits on their board.

Angie Martin

Senior Consultant

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).

Lisa Boss, MS

Senior HR Manager

SPHR, SHRM-CSP, CPSP

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, is a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), a CPSP (Certified Plan Sponsor Professional) and holds a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA).

Eileen Levitt

CEO

SPHR, SHRM-SCP – CEO

As Founder and CEO 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.

Eileen’s previous employment saw her talents in fostering business growth expand as she contributed to her employers’ development. As the Human Resources Director for Rapid Systems Solutions, a Maryland-based technology firm, Eileen helped the company grow 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: The Red Devils (where she serves as board development chair); Athena PowerLink Baltimore; Association for Corporate Growth (where she is a past board president); Executive Alliance (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, Eileen has served on the board of Integrity National Corporation, a for-profit privately held government contractor based in Rockville, Maryland.

In 2025, Eileen published her new book, “No, You Can’t Bring Your Ferret to Work: HR Tales of the Unexpected,” now available on Amazon. Drawing from 35 years of HR experience, the book takes complex workplace concepts and transforms them into relatable, entertaining stories inspired by her everyday interactions with family, friends, and pets.

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:

  • Maryland Daily Record: 2020, 2014 and 2008 Maryland’s Top 100 Women (Circle of Excellence induction)
  • Baltimore Business Journal: 2014 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses #19
  • 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