Her Story
About Rhonda
Rhonda Meadows is President of HR Solutions Consulting in Portland, Oregon, bringing nearly four decades of experience in human resources, leadership development, and organizational consulting.
Rhonda began her career in corporate environments where women were often underrepresented in leadership. Those early experiences helped shape a career defined by resilience, resourcefulness, and a willingness to speak up for people. Today, through HR Solutions Consulting, she works with organizations and leaders on employee relations, organizational development, leadership development, recruitment, performance management, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and management training.
At the heart of Rhonda’s work is a simple belief: business decisions can be difficult without losing their humanity. Her approach encourages leaders to balance accountability with compassion and dignity — including through her Termination with Humanity philosophy, which challenges organizations to think more intentionally about how they treat people during some of the hardest moments of their careers.
That same belief has shaped Rhonda’s decades of community work. She helped found Bridge Meadows, an intergenerational community designed to support families adopting children from foster care, and Project Lemonade, which began by providing foster youth with clothing and grew to include opportunities supporting confidence, education, enrichment, and early career development. She is also a co-founder of Anthony’s Circle, an Oregon nonprofit focused on helping foster youth succeed in public education through consistent guidance, advocacy, and relationships.
Rhonda has received recognition including the Champion for Children Award and the Light A Fire Award for Extraordinary Pro-Bono Contribution. She has also participated in University of Oregon panels and served on the university’s College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board.
Whether she is advising an executive team or advocating for a young person in foster care, Rhonda brings the same philosophy to the work: see the person first.
She encourages women early in their careers to take chances before they feel completely ready, build genuine relationships, seek mentors, and never underestimate the power of persistence.
Above all, Rhonda believes leadership is about people — and that humanity, heart, and love still belong in the way we lead.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rhonda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and resourcefulness. I have learned to keep moving forward, even when challenges arise, and to find creative, practical solutions when resources or opportunities may be limited.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to have heart in the workplace. I believe genuine compassion, empathy, and care for others are essential to building meaningful relationships, creating a positive work environment, and making a lasting impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is simple: do it—believe that it is possible and do not be afraid to take the first step. Build relationships by meeting people, learning from others, and surrounding yourself with individuals who support your growth. Most importantly, seek out great mentors who can offer guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career with confidence.
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 humanity, heart, and love. I believe in treating people with genuine compassion, kindness, and respect, while leading with empathy and understanding. These values guide how I build relationships, approach challenges, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
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