About Us...
We are HR Architects. We are HR strategists, culture builders, and people-systems designers.
With over 50 years of combined experience in human resources, people and culture, we help mission-driven organizations create healthy workplaces by building the HR structures, leadership practices, and cultural foundations they need to thrive.
Our expertise includes:
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Designing clear, sustainable HR systems
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Strengthening organizational culture and leadership
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Blending compliance with compassion
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Helping teams grow with confidence and clarity
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Leadership Coaching
Our philosophy is simple:
Healthy, high-performing organizations are built with intention, not by accident. That’s why we partner closely with leaders to architect people systems that support their mission, honor their teams, and move their organization forward with purpose.
Our Team.
Chelsea's Story
Founder and Principal Consultant
Sladek HR Architects wasn’t just a business decision; it was a defining moment.
It’s the exclamation point at the end of a sentence that’s been building for nearly 20 years.
Human Resources has been the thread woven through my entire career. And through every role, every challenge, and every success, one thing has remained constant: I genuinely love helping people. I love helping leaders lead better, teams work better, and organizations become places where people can thrive.
At some point, I realized something important. It wasn’t that HR was broken, it was that too many organizations were facing the same challenges:
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Struggling with culture.
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Navigating complex employee situations.
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Balancing budgets with people needs.
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Trying to lead without the right tools.
And I knew I wanted to help more than just the organization sitting in front of me. So I built something bigger.
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Purpose-Driven Work
I believe something deeply: When your why intersects with your what, you’ve found your purpose.
My what is Human Resources.
My why is to ignite excellence in others through positive outcomes for my community.
This is my purpose!
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Experience That Goes Beyond Theory
Over the past two decades, I’ve built my career through hands-on experience across a wide range of environments: nonprofits, for-profits, religious organizations, staffing firms, start-up's, consulting, and beyond.
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I’ve worked with:
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Entry-level employees
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Mid-level leaders
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Executive teams
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Boards of Directors
And I’ve supported organizations through:
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Internal investigations
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Audits and compliance
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Full-cycle recruiting
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Policy development
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Leave management
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Compensation studies
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Leadership development
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Culture transformation
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And more…
But more than anything, I’ve learned this:
People and processes are never separate. And when you invest in both, the results are powerful.
The Kind of Leadership I Believe In
My leadership style wasn’t shaped by a single moment, but by people and lots of moments. I had the privilege of working for leaders who didn’t just manage, they showed up, and they modeled what leadership should be.
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They listened.
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They asked thoughtful questions.
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They owned their mistakes.
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They shared information openly.
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They challenged me to grow.
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They were more than just leaders, they were mentors. And that experience shaped how I show up today: with intention, curiosity, and accountability.
A Defining Shift
A few years ago, I experienced a moment that reinforced why this work matters so much. I saw firsthand what happens when those responsible for protecting people choose power, money, or prestige over integrity. When accountability is ignored and toxic behavior is allowed to continue, the consequences extend far beyond the individuals involved. Trust is broken, people are harmed, and the very systems meant to protect them begin to fail.
And I made a decision.
I would lead differently. I would stand firmly in integrity. And I would use every role I held to protect, guide, and serve.
Some may think that sounds idealistic, but as a person who has high "belief", it's the foundation of who I am and how I choose to lead.
What I Believe HR Should Be
HR should be the heart of an organization.
It should be:
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A source of truth
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A place of objectivity
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A safe and neutral space
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A strategic partner
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A guide for both people and leadership
Not just a department, but a foundation for people and process. Because leadership isn’t just about getting results. It’s about understanding people, navigating differences, and creating environments where individuals can succeed.
How I Help
I want to work with people and organizations who care, who want to do better, lead better, and create something meaningful.
Whether you’re:
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A nonprofit navigating growth
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A small business building structure
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A leader trying to figure out your next step
I’ll help you:
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Resolve conflict
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Build stronger processes
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Develop as a people leader
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Shift behaviors and perspectives
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Create clarity where there’s been confusion
But most importantly…I help you recognize your own potential, and give you the tools to use it!
What It’s Like to Work With Me
My approach is simple:
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Direct.
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Compassionate.
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Strategic.
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Real.
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Practical.
Clients often tell me:
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I’m fair
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I can be trusted
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I stay objective
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I focus on facts
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I make complex things easier to understand
And that’s exactly how I believe this work should be done.
Beyond the Work
Everything I do is grounded in my values.
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Integrity.
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Service.
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Faith.
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Family.
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Community.
Whether I’m volunteering, teaching, leading, or supporting organizations, it always comes back to two things:
People. And serving them well!
Carrie Chandler, Senior HR Consultant | Leadership Coach
Carrie Chandler brings more than 20 years of HR experience helping organizations navigate the intersection of leadership, culture, and people strategy. Her expertise includes executive/leadership coaching, leadership development, employee relations, conflict resolution, workplace communication, change management, employee engagement, and building cultures where both people and organizations can thrive.
Carrie believes that many workplace challenges stem, not from a lack of talent, but from patterns that keep individuals and teams stuck. So, throughout her career, she has partnered with executives, business owners, and organizational leaders to address the human dynamics that influence engagement, retention, performance, and organizational success.
Carrie brings a collaborative and relationship-centered approach to her work and is known for balancing strategic thinking with practical execution. Whether coaching leaders through difficult decisions, facilitating workshops, leading organizational initiatives, or helping teams navigate change, she is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and creating environments where people and businesses flourish.
Carrie holds a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She also maintains the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designations and is completing the advanced coach certification through the highly respected Co-Active Training Institute (CTI). She is also a member of the International Coaching Federation.
Gissele Ybarra, HR Consultant
Gissele is a Human Resources professional who specializes in talent acquisition, employee relations, and building clear, sustainable HR systems that support both organizational performance and the employee experience.
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Her work is grounded in a well-rounded HR background spanning manufacturing, nonprofit, and service-based environments. With hands-on experience across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to engagement and compliance, Gissele brings a practical, business-minded approach that ensures people strategies are aligned with operational goals.
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Gissele is passionate about helping organizations move from reactive problem-solving to proactive, values-driven people management. She frequently supports leaders in creating structured and intentional HR processes, improving hiring and onboarding practices, strengthening workplace culture, and navigating employee relations and compliance challenges with clarity and consistency.
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Her experience also includes work in service-oriented businesses, including co-owning a family-operated company, which gives her a unique perspective on the realities and demands of running a business. In addition, Gissele brings international HR experience from Ecuador, where she worked in both the public sector and a private HR services organization, leading full-cycle recruitment, hiring processes, and client support.
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With over three years of direct HR experience in the United States and eight years of related professional experience internationally, Gissele brings an adaptable, culturally aware, and relationship-driven approach to her work, centered on building trust, strengthening systems, and supporting people at every level of an organization.
Mackenzie Sladek, Finance Manager
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Mackenzie serves as the Finance Manager for Sladek HR Architects, where she supports the organization’s financial operations with a strong foundation in accounting, data management, and financial systems.
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Mackenzie is a Nevada native, who brings a detail-oriented and analytical approach to her work. She is proficient in core business and financial tools, including Microsoft Excel and accounting platforms such as Zoho Books, which she utilizes to support accurate bookkeeping, reporting, and financial organization.
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She has a growing interest in areas such as risk management and investment, and she is committed to building her expertise in financial strategy and analysis. Her approach is grounded in accuracy, organization, and a commitment to supporting sound business operations.