Webinar: Pioneering Success Stories: Supporting First-Gen Professionals in Navigating the Public Sector

Chantel Thompson, is a seasoned Human Resources executive with more than a decade of experience transforming public sector workplaces through innovative strategy and inclusive leadership. As the Director of Human Resources for a local government organization, she has led award-winning initiatives in workforce development, employee engagement, and HR technology integration. Her unique background couples public relations expertise, human resources leadership, emotional intelligence training, and a longstanding commitment to community engagement. She is also nationally recognized for her expertise in community relations, having received a prestigious award for developing and implementing Cabarrus Neighborhood Partners—a program that bridges the gap between local government and residents to address community needs and enhance quality of life in Cabarrus County. Chantel is the Owner and Chief HR Consultant of Curated Consulting Group, LLC—a leading provider of customized Human Resources solutions, offering executive and career coaching, compliance consulting, and a full range of HR services tailored to business needs.

Widely respected for her leadership and impact, Chantel was named “Best in HR” by the Charlotte Business Journal, nominated for WFAE’s EQUALibrium Award for her commitment to ensuring equity in her organization’s hiring practices, and honored with the Distinguished Leadership Award from Cabarrus Regional SHRM. She currently serves as Executive Board President of the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County, and President of Cabarrus Regional SHRM. She also holds leadership roles with the Public Sector HR Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Lambda Upsilon Omega Chapter. A proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and an active member of The Links Incorporated, Chantel brings a legacy of advocacy, innovation, and collaboration to every role she steps into.

Heather serves as Assistant County Manager for Justice and Workforce Strategies with Alachua County a role she assumed in 2024 following her promotion from Human Resources Director. In her current capacity, she provides executive oversight for the Human Resources, Equal Opportunity, Community Outreach, and Court Services departments, helping to align strategic operations with the County’s mission of responsive service and responsible  stewardship to citizens.

With a career spanning nearly three decades, Heather began her professional journey in the private sector in 1995 as a process design consultant for a prominent consulting firm. She soon transitioned into Human Resources, where she gained comprehensive experience across the full HR spectrum including benefits administration, talent management, employee relations, and organizational development.

Her first public sector role was when she joined Alachua County in 2018 where her leadership and depth of HR expertise positioned her for advancement. She holds multiple professional certifications, including PSHRA-CP, SHRM-CP, PHR, and FCLRP, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning and excellence in public service.

Desiare Marius is a dynamic learning and development professional with over 15 years of facilitation experience and more than a decade of expertise in training, instructional design, and performance consulting. Currently serving as a Training Coordinator and Learning Designer, Desiare holds a B.S. in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership, and certifications as a Certified Life Coach (Transformation Academy) and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (The Priority Academy Ltd). She also holds the PSHRA-CP designation, demonstrating her commitment to advancing excellence in public sector human resources.

Her engaging and results-driven facilitation style has shaped impactful training programs across a variety of sectors including banking, call centers, and transportation. Whether in-person or virtual, Desiare leads with a learner-centered approach, focusing on adult learning principles, real-world application, and inclusive participation. She has delivered sessions in customer service, onboarding, leadership development, and compliance—consistently fostering learner confidence and performance improvement.

In addition to facilitation, Desiare brings deep expertise in instructional design, having developed comprehensive learning solutions from needs assessment to evaluation. Her work includes eLearning modules, blended learning programs, job aids, and curriculum built on models like ADDIE and Bloom’s Taxonomy. She is passionate about designing accessible, actionable, and results-oriented training experiences that align with organizational goals and diverse learner needs.

HR Whisperer: HR Director by day and I moonlight as an HR consultant by night, unravelling the mysteries of the corporate world one employee issue at a time. If you have workplace drama, I'll sift through it like a detective solving a juicy mystery novel. 

Attorney: I proudly wear the title of attorney, battling it out in courtrooms and boardrooms. But I've seen the light! I've transitioned to a new, exciting phase in my life. Now, I help others navigate the legal landscape, steering them clear of the pitfalls and landmines I once braved. Consider me your legal guide through the treacherous terrain, having survived the trenches and emerged wiser and, dare I say, with a slightly more humorous outlook on life. Mom of Four: But wait, there's more! In my superhero cape (or, more accurately, my "Mom jeans"), I wrangle not one, not two, but four mini-humans who insist on calling me "Mom." They've taught me more about negotiation and diplomacy than any law school ever could.  Globetrotting Foodie: When I'm not arguing cases or parenting, I'm jet-setting around the globe in search of the world's most delectable delicacies. My passport might as well be a food journal with stamps, and my heart belongs to every street food vendor, Michelin-starred restaurant, and hole-in-the-wall eatery. Proudly Neurodivergent: Beneath it all, I'm a neurodivergent warrior. My brain works in wonderfully unique ways, and I embrace it with open arms. Think of me as the Picasso of thinking, with a canvas of brilliant ideas that might zigzag, swirl, or loop-de-loop - but always with a dash of brilliance. So basically, in my multifaceted world, I'm a legal luminary turned legal guide, an HR sorcerer, a mom to a formidable quartet, a global epicurean explorer, a neurodivergent pioneer, and a recovering attorney with tales to tell and wisdom to share!