Meet

Chantel Simms, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, TIWP

Chantel Simms, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, TIWP, is a transformational HR leader and talent strategist with over two decades of experience driving culture, engagement, and innovation across nonprofit and for-profit organizations. As a champion of inclusive, values-driven workplaces, Chantel specializes in building psychologically safe and high-performing environments where employees are empowered to thrive. 

With a deep commitment to trauma-informed and human-centered approaches, Chantel helps organizations understand the impact of systemic stress, change fatigue and organizational trauma on morale, productivity and retention. By integrating principles from neuroscience, behavioral psychology and equity-centered leadership, she supports leaders in shaping resilient, sustainable cultures that elevate both people and performance.   

Chantel’s core expertise spans organizational culture, employee wellness, coaching and development, change management, and employee retention strategies. She brings a strategic lens to HR leadership, driving workforce transformation, aligning people strategy with business goals, and cultivating meaningful employee experiences that foster loyalty, innovation and growth.   

Chantel advises executive teams and mission-driven organizations on talent management, leadership development and workforce planning. Prior to this, she successfully led numerous organizational transformations, talent acquisition strategies and HR initiatives, coaching leaders through complex change to realize operational excellence.   

Chantel is a certified Trauma-Informed Workplace Practitioner (TIWP) and Mental Health First Aider. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Organizational and Human Resource Development from the University of Mary Washington and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Averett University. In addition, she holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credentials, along with a Yellow Belt in Diversity and Inclusion from the Six Sigma Global Institute. 

She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Organizational Innovation from Marymount University. 

Chantel’s Recent Blogs