Erin is a true professional in all senses of the word. I felt like I was in an impossible situation until Erin showed up.

Before her arrival, I struggled with a direct report who challenged me daily, for many many months. The staffer talked to me with disrespect as if I was his subordinate and was aggressive. The problems continued to escalate.

It was affecting my personal life, my evenings and weekends. The stress continued to build. I began to believe the only way out was leaving the job. It was getting to be too much. I work to provide for my family, it’s a job – a part but not all of my life. I needed balance and to show up to work without anxiety.

I asked HR to hire a coach. Once they did, and Erin showed up, everything started to turn around.

Erin was thoughtful, attentive, listened and learned, and shared analogies of other situations she had seen. She made sure there were no uncomfortable meetings with my direct report. The coaching was one on one with Erin. She listened, understood, empathized, and provided reassurance that we would get through this. Working with the staff, and leadership, Erin turned the work relationship around.

It’s like night and day. My direct report shows up with respect, courtesy, and kindness. Is it perfect? That is not something that anyone can promise. It’s a work in progress. It’s 95.5% perfect. Is there sometimes a slight regression, it is extremely rare. But I have the confidence to talk to my direct report and provide guidance without fear of escalation. We have both won in a way – by making our working relationship functional, and friendly. Healing takes time and it’s an imperfect process. Humans are difficult sometimes based on their professional maturity and personal experiences. But I consider it a win for all involved that we can show up to work every day and get through our challenges.

– Anonymous employee
Nonprofit firm, Sacramento, CA

Thank you for all you have done to empower our voices and help execute real solutions. It means so much to me to finally feel heard, seen, validated, and supported at the organizational level.

Erin is easy to work with, relatable, and makes human resource problems easier to understand. If you are looking for someone who will elevate your people and your programs, Erin is that person.

– Ryan L. Kinnan
Chief of Police, Auburn Police Department

Erin joined Bonney as interim HR Director for a pivotal 6 month period after some churn on our team. During her time at Bonney, she steered the company through numerous HR and regulatory challenges, rebuilt our HR function, led a search for her full time replacement and helped us improve our team culture (all while maintaining her sense of humor!). Not afraid to roll up her sleeves, Erin is an immensely talented HR leader and an excellent team player. I strongly recommend Erin’s services and will gladly provide a verbal reference if required.

– Jeremy Macdonald
CEO, Bonney Plumbing LLC

Erin’s professionalism, warmth, and workforce/HR knowledge was greatly appreciated. She has years of experience from different industries to truly bring an open minded and well-rounded view to the table. I would recommend her to any company in need of a step up to the next level! She is simply the best!

– HR Manager
Sacramento, CA

Specifically, Erin has worked with us on strategic management within our organization as well as helping us audit, update and augment the systems and processes we have and/or need. She is also training and educating our staff in addition to assisting with identifying potential vulnerabilities/blind spots we may not have been aware of previously. My City Manager and I are very pleased with the work Erin has done with us!

On top of all that, Erin is simply a delightful person to work with and brings a genuine positivity to her work every day. I would not hesitate to bring Shelby HR Solutions on again for any Human Resources or Strategic Management training/consulting needs.

Erin joined us a little over 3 years ago and had little knowledge of what we did as a design profession or experience with a largely egocentric culture of professionals. To say she she quickly adapted would be a gross understatement. Erin has played a critical role in the growth of our company and in the development of our culture in support of that growth. Her strategic support during the course of the pandemic can be directly credited for our ability to navigate these unprecedented events relatively unscathed; emerging in a positive position on the other side. 

– Robert Cull
Principal, Healthcare Practice Group Leader, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, HGA Architects and Engineers
Santa Monica, CA

Returning to management after more than a decade was a real eye-opener for me. In that brief time the HR legal landscape had changed dramatically, and as a result employee management had become much more complex. Fortunately, I was able to lean on Erin’s experience and expertise to help me navigate these challenges. Not only did Erin steer me around all the legal landmines, she was a trusted adviser who provided informed, intelligent advice that helped me get the most out of my team – particularly in difficult situations like office mergers and reorganizations. Erin understood my goals and invested herself in my success and the success of our employees.

An experienced HR manager is vital to the successful management of the modern workplace, avoiding issues that might hamstring your operations or crush office morale, and protecting yourself as a manager in a complex legal environment. You will find Erin to be an invaluable part of your team.

– Steve McCarthy
Vice President

Erin has the unique ability, skills and knowledge to make the most complex human resources problems seem simple. With the never ending changes to workplace rules and laws, it is vital to have someone who can guide decisions that are in the best interest of an organization for not only the protection of the office, but also for the employees. It is a balance that is not easily obtained, but one that Erin makes look easy. Erin was always someone who took the fear out of human resources.

– Tom White
Chief of Staff, California State Assembly

Erin is one of the most competent human resources professional I have worked with in my career!  Not only does she have a good handle of all things HR but her overall demeanor – which always includes her warmth and a smile – enables her to connect and build trust with everyone she encounters.  Over the past few years, I have been especially impressed with her ability to attract and recruit so many excellent candidates in what has been a very competitive job market.

– Winfield Roney
Principal, Market Sector Leader, HGA Architects and Engineers

Erin simply makes your job easier. Her contagious personality, warmth, and professionalism combined with her years of successful HR work will add immense value to any organization. You can expect the same Erin every day. She will show up with a smile and a calming presence that makes the most stressful / complicated HR situations look like simple fixes. Erin has my utmost respect and admiration. I strongly encourage you reach out to her today.

– Max Logan
Recruiter, The Bachrach Group

You want Erin Shelby providing your HR Solutions. In the two years I was lucky to work with Erin, she was my go-to for all of our HR needs and anything related to “people questions” for our office. She’s able to smoothly navigate all situations as they arise and her wide breadth of HR experience and knowledge means you are in good hands. She’s a positive beacon of energy and makes managing your office easier.

– Andrea Harmon
Administrative Services Manager, HGA Architects and Engineers, Santa Monica, CA

Erin Shelby’s HR services changed my career path. Her support and guidance have given me so much growth and confidence in myself to go beyond my own expectations. She is professional, warm, and has a positive attitude. She has impacted culture change in the offices she serves.

– Linda Tran
Administrative Services Manager | Associate,  Sacramento, CA

Working with Erin has been a delight! We were looking to fill a position that’s been hard to find historically. Erin brought insight, shrewd advice and a truly collaborative approach to the task and enabled us to find a person with the right skill set and uniquely-suited to the need, far more expeditiously than we’d been able to accomplish previously.

– Julian Master, AIA, RIBA, CSI, CCS, LEED AP BD+C
Director, Allied Disciplines, HGA Architects and Engineers, Washington DC

I had the fortunate pleasure and privilege of working with Erin Shelby for years in her capacity as a senior HR professional in the hyper-volatile environment of the California State Assembly. Her professional knowledge, competency and comportment were surpassed only by her personal discretion, courtesy and kindness. Erin is an absolute joy to work with; I offer her my highest possible personal and professional recommendation. Definitely contact her and see how she can make your business/employee/HR environment better.

– Richard Mersereau
Founder/Principal, Liberty Strategic Consulting Group Director, Office of Policy,
California State Assembly, 2001-2014

So here’s to wishing all the best and giving thanks to one of the most impactful Human Resources Managers out there! Thank you for taking the time to learn our industry.  Thank you for always being a positive light in the office. Thank you for always being honest. Thank you for always researching an answer and then following up. Thank you for taking the time to learn our needs and concerns. Thank you for always being supportive.  And most importantly, thank you for taking the time to get to know me and others on a personal level.

– HGA Architects and Engineers Employee
Sacramento, CA