Michelle Schwanhauser, MHA
Michelle (Lemke) Schwanhauser, MHA, is a strategic HR consultant and seasoned human resources executive with over 15 years of experience in HR and risk management, including 12 years at the executive level. She specializes in leadership development, regulatory compliance, employee relations, and the practical implementation of policies and procedures. Michelle has a proven track record of driving organizational turnarounds, streamlining HR operations, and designing employee benefits programs that balance cost containment with workforce satisfaction.
As the founder and CEO of Moving Mountains HR Consulting, Michelle provides tailored HR solutions for small businesses and healthcare organizations, focusing on California labor law compliance, leadership development, and building HR infrastructure that supports growth and organizational culture. Prior to founding her consultancy in 2023, she held senior HR leadership roles, including Chief Human Resources Officer at the Motion Picture & Television Fund and Administrator of Human Resources and Risk Management at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, where she oversaw large-scale HR operations, labor management, and employee growth initiatives.
Michelle is also deeply committed to professional and community engagement. She has contributed to organizations such as ProVisors, the Hospital Association of Southern California, and the California Association of Healthcare Districts. She co-founded Ridgecrest Autism Awareness and supports programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County and Girls on the Run. Known for her calm, strategic approach to leadership, Michelle helps organizations cultivate strong people operations that align with business objectives while fostering a positive and compliant workplace culture.
• MHA
• Bellevue University - MHA
• ProVisors
• Hospital Association of Southern California
• California Association of Healthcare Districts
• Ridgecrest Autism Awareness
• China Lake Rotary Club
• Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to accountability, self-awareness, and a willingness to receive honest feedback. I believe that strong leadership requires both confidence and humility, and I credit my ability to adapt, listen, and continuously improve as key drivers of my professional growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from Jim Suver, a former employer and mentor who guided me during my transition from risk management into human resources and leadership. His mentorship was instrumental in shaping my leadership style and building my professional confidence.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this industry to confidently advocate for their value, seek feedback without fear, and trust their expertise. It’s equally important to align yourself with organizations that respect and support leadership contributions—and to recognize when it’s time to move on from environments where growth is limited.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in HR today is helping organizations fully recognize the strategic value of people leadership, rather than seeing HR as purely administrative. At the same time, I see significant opportunities in leadership development, culture building, and outsourced HR partnerships—particularly for small and growing businesses looking to leverage strong people strategies to drive growth.
What 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 integrity, accountability, excellence, and service. I believe that as leaders, we have a responsibility to create environments where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow.
Beyond my professional work, I am passionate about community leadership, mentorship, and workforce readiness. I enjoy contributing to initiatives that prepare young people and professionals for successful careers and participating in programs that foster leadership development.