Leah Davis
Partner, Abdo
At Abdo’s Mankato location, Leah Davis leads the Edina-based accounting and consulting firm’s Workforce Solutions team, guiding hundreds of HR leaders and business owners. Her team’s webinars, articles, and tools, for
2026 Notable Leaders in HR Services & Solutions
In a challenging and unpredictable year for business, companies stand out even more when they prioritize the welfare and humanity of their employees, often with payoff in greater retention and higher morale. These nine leaders in HR services and solutions are keeping people at the center.
Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.
To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.
Elizabeth Hang
Practice director, Robert Half
Since joining Robert Half in 2009, Elizabeth Hang has been a driving force to expand the Bloomington-based firm’s HR services division. She and her team have consistently achieved the No. 1
Erin Hargrove
Director of business development, Lakeside HR Group
Erin Hargrove has spent the past two years strengthening the HR and recruiting community across Minnesota through her work at the Bloomington-based Lakeside HR Group. Bringing to bear her nearly 25
Nikki Hauck
Vice president of people operations, Oppidan
Since joining real estate firm Oppidan in 2024 as vice president of HR, Nikki Hauck has applied her nearly 20 years’ experience to broad operational oversight, including HR, marketing, PR,
Abigayle Oxborough
Owner, general manager, and director of leadership programming, Sugar Lake Lodge and Abby Ox Consulting
Abigayle Oxborough’s Learning at the Lake series has become a monthly professional resource for northern Minnesota employers, and her Women’s Leadership Summit has drawn more than 120 participants from 50-plus organizations.
Tanja Piccini
Executive vice president and chief people officer, Fairview Health Services
Tanja Piccini has played a key role in Fairview Health Services’ shift to embed belonging as a business imperative—one example of how she is helping to reshape Fairview’s approach to culture, belonging,
Kelly Rongstad
Director of human resources, Bold Orange
As director of HR, Kelly Rongstad has been “the constant behind Bold Orange’s people-first culture since day one,” says Margaret Murphy, CEO of the Minneapolis-based marketing services agency. Over the past year,
Anne deBruin Sample
CEO and owner, Navigate Forward
In 2025, Anne deBruin Sample led Navigate Forward to the HR consulting firm’s highest growth yet, driven by national expansion, rising demand for executive onboarding, and deeper engagement with organizations
Jessica Westberg
Vice president of people, Media Bridge
In her four years with Media Bridge, Jessica Westberg has become an “indispensable rock and visionary HR leader,” says Lauren Young, president of MB Activate, the division of the Minneapolis-based advertising agency