Her Story
About Darby
Darby Starnes, CCMP, Prosci, CPTD, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CDE is a distinguished human resources and organizational development leader with more than 25 years of experience in the HR outsourcing, talent management, and professional services space. She began her career as a technology recruiter, where she recognized the importance of helping individuals reskill and prepare for evolving workforce demands. Throughout her career, Darby has held progressive leadership roles focused on talent strategy, employee relations, organizational development, change management, and client-facing HR solutions for small to mid-sized businesses. She currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Harding, Shymanski & Company, P.S.C., where she influences organizational strategy, develops future leaders, and helps organizations successfully navigate change.
Darby is recognized for her ability to connect business objectives with meaningful people strategies, creating programs that strengthen engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness. Her expertise includes leadership development, executive coaching, learning and development, change management, culture transformation, and HR consulting. She holds a master’s degree in finance and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership while continuing to expand her knowledge through more than 15 professional certifications. As a dedicated lifelong learner, Darby remains committed to advancing the HR profession and sharing her expertise with others. She serves as Director of Certifications for Louisville SHRM, where she volunteers her time teaching certification preparation courses, and is an active member of organizations including National SHRM, ACMP, Prosci, ATD, and PMI. She also serves as a course facilitator with University of North Carolina at Charlotte, supporting the professional growth of future HR leaders.
Darby attributes her success to maintaining curiosity, leading with empathy, and genuinely caring about each person’s experience. She believes that listening deeply, understanding individual needs, and translating those insights into meaningful action are essential to creating positive outcomes. Her passion for people extends beyond the workplace, where she embraces a farming lifestyle and runs a mini cow farm, caring for turkeys, chickens, cows, goats, and other animals. Through both her professional and personal pursuits, Darby exemplifies the values of dedication, continuous growth, compassion, and the importance of nurturing people and opportunities every day.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Darby
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying curious, leading with compassion, and genuinely caring about the experiences of others. I take the time to listen, understand individual needs, and build meaningful connections with the people I work with. My ability to translate those insights into actionable solutions has allowed me to bridge perspectives, identify opportunities, and create meaningful outcomes. By remaining open-minded, empathetic, and focused on understanding others, I have been able to navigate challenges and continue growing both personally and professionally.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to invest in people, take the time to truly understand the business beyond just your specific role, and continue developing a well-rounded perspective. In areas like human resources, it is essential to understand the organization’s goals, challenges, and operations while building strong relationships with employees and leaders. Learn the difference between empathy and agreement, as being able to listen, understand, and support others does not always mean you will have the same perspective. Do not shy away from difficult conversations; they are often where the greatest growth and positive change happen. Stay curious, continue learning, and never give up. Remember that you are supported, you are valued, and your contributions matter. Keep moving forward with confidence and purpose.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity in my field right now is the impact of artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping the way we approach work. AI is a significant disruptor, but it also creates an opportunity to rethink processes, improve efficiency, and explore new ways of working. While this transformation can feel uncertain, especially for a workforce made up of multiple generations with different experiences and comfort levels with technology, it also presents an opportunity for learning, adaptation, and growth. Embracing change, supporting employees through the transition, and finding the right balance between technology and the human experience will be essential moving forward.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are dedication, compassion, responsibility, and the commitment to continuously nurture and grow. Outside of work, I run a mini cow farm where I care for turkeys, chickens, cows, goats, and other animals every day. From early mornings to late evenings, I dedicate time to cultivating and caring for the lives entrusted to me. Farming has reinforced the importance of patience, consistency, and showing up every day with purpose. These same values guide me professionally as I focus on investing in people, building relationships, and creating an environment where individuals can thrive. For me, success comes from continuous growth, care, and the willingness to nurture both people and opportunities every day.
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