Nicky Espinosa

Nicky Espinosa is an accomplished Human Resources executive, leadership coach, speaker, and founder with more than 30 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, organizational culture, and transformation. She currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources at Groves Learning Organization, where she provides strategic and operational leadership while championing talent development and high-performing teams. Her career has included leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, healthcare, and education, including more than 13 years at Mayo Clinic.

During her tenure at Mayo Clinic, Nicky held progressively senior roles spanning HR management, internal consulting, project management, strategy planning, and organizational development. She guided teams of up to 300 employees, managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio, supported organizational growth and innovation, and coached senior executives. Her accomplishments include launching a project management office, leading complex innovation initiatives, and receiving the Excellence in Leadership Award from Mayo Clinic. She holds an MBA in Human Resources Management from Walden University and a bachelor's degree in Business/Corporate Communications from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, along with certifications in coaching and change management.

Beyond her executive career, Nicky is the founder of Stay Human, a movement focused on helping leaders remain courageous, compassionate, and grounded during difficult moments. As a leadership speaker and coach, she works with leaders on executive leadership, communication, organizational culture, and high-performance teams. She also hosts the podcast What’s Wrong With People?, which explores the complicated and often humorous human side of workplace dynamics. Through her work, Nicky advocates for honest conversations, meaningful connection, and leadership that balances accountability and results with humanity.