Shannon Mead

I attribute my success to resilience, resourcefulness, and my ability to make people feel supported. My personal motto is to “be of service,” and I pride myself on breaking down complex HR challenges into clear, manageable steps. I also credit my willingness to bet on myself—especially during life transitions, balancing motherhood with full-time work, and completing two degrees under challenging circumstances.

One of my proudest achievements is earning my bachelor’s degree over a 17-year journey while raising a family and working full time, followed by completing my master’s during the COVID-19 pandemic after experiencing another layoff. Shortly after, I launched Highbar HR Advisors, a step that reflects my resilience and commitment to building something lasting for myself and for the clients who rely on me.

I’ve worked in HR for over a decade, supporting Fortune 500 companies before focusing on small businesses. After experiencing three layoffs in ten years, I felt called to create stability and meaning in my career. That led me to start Highbar HR Advisors, where I provide accessible HR support to organizations that might not be able to sustain a full in-house HR department. My expertise lies in human resources consulting, helping small and medium-sized businesses navigate compliance, employee relations, organizational structure, and HR strategy. I specialize in translating complex HR issues into practical, actionable solutions that business owners can implement immediately.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a combination of early experiences and mentors throughout my journey. Being named Employee of the Year in my high school counseling department gave me an early sense of the impact of dedication and service. Later, mentors through SHRM and the HR leaders I worked under reinforced the importance of professional standards, ethics, and always treating employees with dignity. The advice that has resonated most with me is simple but powerful:

“Do the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing.”

This guidance continues to shape how I approach challenges, make decisions, and support the people and organizations I serve.

My advice to young women entering HR is to get comfortable asking questions, stay curious, and always remember that at its core, HR is a people-first profession. Continuously learning, setting healthy boundaries, and embracing challenges are essential. Don’t be intimidated by layoffs or career setbacks—they often redirect you toward opportunities and work you were truly meant to do.

One of the biggest challenges in HR today is the lack of accessible guidance for small businesses that need support but can’t afford full in-house departments. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity in providing fractional HR services, building long-term client partnerships, and filling a critical gap in the industry. Small companies especially need support with compliance, employee relations, and structured HR systems—and helping them navigate these areas is where I find the most impact and fulfillment.

The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are service, honesty, consistency, and compassion. Professionally, I strive to provide the highest-quality HR guidance to every client, regardless of their size. Personally, I place a strong emphasis on family, loyalty, and perseverance—values that were shaped by raising my family while completing my bachelor’s degree over 17 years and later earning my master’s during the COVID-19 pandemic.