Her Story
About Arely
Arely Lagunas is a human resources professional, entrepreneur, and community advocate with 19 years of experience in human resources management. She is the Founder and CEO of Evolve HR & Leadership Consulting, where she helps small businesses establish compliant HR practices, strengthen workplace culture, and develop effective leadership strategies. With expertise in HR compliance, employee relations, recruitment, compensation and benefits, and organizational development, Arely provides practical, cost-effective HR guidance to businesses seeking to build strong foundations and support their employees. As a first-generation Latina and bilingual HR leader, she is particularly committed to making professional HR guidance and leadership development more accessible to Spanish-speaking business owners and professionals.
Arely's career began with an internship while pursuing her bachelor's degree in Management with a concentration in Human Resources at DePaul University, which led to a full-time opportunity before graduation. She later earned a master's degree in Human Resources Management from Capella University and continued expanding her expertise through roles in HR consulting, generalist management, compensation and benefits, and talent acquisition. Her professional experience includes leadership positions at Practical HR and various organizations, where she supported compliance, employee engagement, performance management, and benefits administration. Driven by a commitment to workplace fairness and employee well-being, Arely emphasizes integrity, continuous learning, and a people-centered approach to leadership.
Beyond her corporate and consulting work, Arely is the Founder of Voces En Movimiento, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering mothers and caregivers through movement, holistic wellness, education, and community connection. Inspired by her family's immigrant journey and her experiences as a mother of three, she is passionate about creating supportive spaces where women can prioritize their well-being while strengthening their families and communities. She also contributes to the advancement of Latina professionals through her involvement with Latinas Rising Up in HR, serving as a Chicago ambassador and contributing author. Through her leadership, mentorship, and community advocacy, Arely continues to champion accessible opportunities, inclusive workplaces, and a lasting legacy of empowerment for future generations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Arely
01What do you attribute your success to?
My own drive in the HR field from early internship experiences, personal family experiences with my mother's termination in 1989 due to pregnancy issues which sparked my passion for compliance and foundations, belief in the evolving role of HR, focus on human-centered leadership, strong work ethics, and staying abreast of state and federal requirements to educate others.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find a community through HR professional associations like SHRM to bounce ideas off, mastermind, and learn from each other because HR is always evolving with compliance and organizational development, and it can be challenging with things outside our control.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include visibility and sharing that we exist without marketing or advertising funds, relying on word of mouth and referrals; opportunities in providing cost-effective fractional HR support and bilingual resources to small business owners who lack foundations or compliance knowledge.
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