Inaugural Senior HR Leader Peer Group

2024 Participants

Jose Espino

Headshot and bio coming soon.

Kathryn Ginsberg 

With over 30 years of experience as a Human Resource leader, Kathy has been integral to influential process efficiency improvements, as well as positive business outcomes through HR functional management. With a background in employment law & compliance, Kathy has consistently led M&As through extensive processes while focusing on organizational optimization. Kathy is also well versed in all areas of Human Resources including benefits administration, mediation & conflict resolution, as well as strategic project & program management.

Diane Hunter

Headshot and bio coming soon.

Lorraine Lang

Lorraine is currently Vice President of Human Resources at Arq, Inc., a publicly traded Environmental Technology Company. She is responsible for building and leading the Human Resources function for a fast-growing, environmental technology company. With 20 years of HR leadership experience in the chemical manufacturing industry, she has a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and fostering a positive workplace culture. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Business Administration from Thomas More University. Her certifications include SPHR, and MBTI Practitioner.

Ryan McGowan

Ryan is currently serving as the Sr. Director of Human Resources at Leprino Foods, where he orchestrates daily HR functions and provides support to 500 + employees. He is passionate about creating high-performance organizations focused on the development and well-being of employees. Ryan holds an MBA from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business and a B.A. in Education from Central College. He has several certifications in his field, including Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Step I and Step II, Accelerated Strengths Coach and Trainer - StrengthsFinder, The Extraordinary 360 Development System and The Extraordinary Coach, Leadership Architect and Voices 360 Assessment Development System, and more.

Laura Morgan

Headshot and bio coming soon.

Stephanie Muller

Stephanie Mueller is the Chief Talent Officer at George J Priester Aviation.  She has been in the HR field for 25 years with six years of service in business aviation. In her current role, she leads human resource strategy and execution. Stephanie drives initiatives in succession planning, talent management, change management, organizational performance, training, and compensation. She is responsible for driving strategic HR leadership, aligning departmental goals with the company's strategic direction. Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and loves live music. If she were not working in Human Resources, she would love to volunteer for an innocence organization advocating for the wrongly convicted.

Christian Naes

Christian Naes’s passion for working in the HR space is rooted in “Cura Personalis,” Latin for “care for the whole person". Christian helps lead Lockton’s People Solutions practice, aligning leading international resources with company needs to ensure the thoughtful formation and execution of strategic objectives. His favorite part of the job is collaborating with his teams on the financial engineering of benefits and total rewards structures, blending financial management with talent needs into a cohesive strategy. A Colorado native, he enjoys spending his free time outdoors—golfing, snowboarding, hiking, and reliving his glory days on the soccer pitch. 

Karen Piper

Karen is the HR Manager at Tipping Point Solutions, a Native American 8(a) Disadvantaged and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that is an emerging leader in training, media, and event services. She is responsible for the HR management for Tipping Point, but also joint venture partner Chippewa Government Solutions. Karen is passionate about the full lifecycle of an employee and partnering with Senior Leaders to achieve strategic objectives. Volunteerism is of importance to Karen with her work at Mile High SHRM and JWILL Pink Village, which brings hope and comfort to those newly diagnosed with breast cancer. In her free time, Karen can be found at her mountain property with her husband or doting over their adorable grandson, Levi.

Joe Roepke

Joe Roepke is a results-oriented HR Leader with over 15 years of extensive experience delivering recruiting and human resource strategies. Currently serving as Regional HR Director at CLEAResult, he supports business units across the US with 800+ employees in almost every state. He is known for his strong communication skills and ability to influence at all management levels, driving success through cross-functional team leadership and strategic development. Joe holds a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification. He earned an MBA in Technology Management from UW Foster School of Business and holds a BS in Philosophy from Morningside University.

Randa Taylor

After 12 years in the HR industry in Texas, Randa made the move to Colorado in 2019. Originally joining Flatiron Construction, in 2022, she joined MPC as the head of the HR function. She is responsible for leading and directing the continuing evolution of their HR Department and for developing the related programs, policies, and procedures. After one year there, she is also now responsible for the IT and Marketing functions of the organization. 

Kara Wheeler

Kara Wheeler is the Human Resources Director at Skyport Hospitality, where she ensures that HR policies and practices promote organizational growth, employee satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. With over 25 years of experience in the HR field, Kara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Prior to joining Skyport Hospitality, Kara spent 10+ years as a Human Resources Director in the food and beverage industry. Kara graduated in 1998 from Graceland University with a degree in Sociology and holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from HRCI.