THE WORKPLACE ADVISORS™ - Key Persons

Claudia St. John - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • Media Contributor
Claudia St. John, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the Founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors™, a leading HR consulting and training firm specializing in equipping businesses with the consulting support and people skills they need to grow. She is an SPHR (Senior Professional in HR), SHRM-SCP (SHRM Senior Certified Professional), and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst who empowers organizations with evidence-backed insights, so they can navigate the evolving landscape of talent acquisition, engagement, and retention with confidence and foresight. Known as The Workplace Advisor™, she helps organizations zoom out, shift their mindset, and build businesses that lead their industry. A frequent keynote speaker, Claudia is a regular media contributor on the topic of HR. She wrote the book, Transforming Teams: Tips For Improving Collaboration and Building Trust, a book for leaders that addresses why fundamental breakdowns happen within organizations, and what they can do to correct them. Claudia holds an Undergraduate degree in Employee Benefits & Labor Relations from The American University and a Master's degree in Business & Public Administration from The George Washington University, in addition to numerous HR and behavioral science certifications.

Lisa Ritchie

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Recruiting and Talent Selection
Lisa Ritchie over 30 years of experience in recruiting, sales and management and is a founding member of The Workplace Advisors' leadership team. Lisa spent over 15 years in the staffing industry, holding positions including Staff Recruiter, Sales Manager, and Branch Manager. During her tenure as Branch Manager for Adecco and Spherion, global outplacement and temporary staffing agencies, she led recruiting efforts for companies of all shapes and sizes, including large financial institutions and regional call center operations facilities. Having also been a business owner, Lisa understands the unique staffing and recruitment issues faced by small businesses. Lisa holds a BBA from James Madison University and is based in Richmond, Virginia.

Liz Whisler

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Leadership Development
As a certified professional coach and facilitator, Liz Whisler brings a wealth of expertise in leadership and career development. Her diverse experience in business ownership, consulting, corporate roles, and business development brings a unique perspective into her coaching. As a business leader herself, Liz understands the challenges that leaders face. By leveraging her understanding of human behavior, experience and effective coaching techniques, Liz aims to inspire individuals to thrive and navigate their unique paths to success. Liz's goal is clear: To guide leaders in achieving their unique aspirations and goals. What sets her apart is her commitment to equip clients with actionable strategies and tools for transformative growth. She creates a space where individuals don't just dream of success-they actively work towards it and are armed with the knowledge and confidence that comes through coaching. Her coaching isn't just a service; it's a transformative experience that empowers clients to reach new heights!

Paige McAllister

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, HR Compliance
Paige McAllister has over 20 years of HR experience, specializing in compliance, employee relations, training, and HR strategic initiatives. During her career with The Workplace Advisors, she has assisted clients across all 50 states in matters of HR compliance, employee relations guidance, professional development, and performance management processes. In her role as HR Manager at McGladrey, she worked with partners and managers on a diverse array of concerns, including recruitment, disciplinary actions, terminations, and legal mandates. Her role also encompassed assisting employees with matters such as onboarding, leaves of absence, and access to reimbursement and benefits. During a seven-year tenure at Oasis Outsourcing, Paige made significant contributions by extending her assistance to thousands of clients spanning various industries. Paige earned her MBA in General Business from Florida Atlantic University and her BA in Psychology from Auburn University. Paige has held her SPHR certification since January 2009, having previously held her PHR since June 2003. She has held her SHRM-SCP designation since January 2015.

Susan Palé

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Compensation
Heading the Compensation division at The Workplace Advisors is Susan Palé, a seasoned professional with a wealth of expertise. She has extensive experience in the development of customized compensation strategies, and performance management and total rewards programs. She has worked as an independent consultant for 20 years, developing programs that cater to the unique needs of small and medium-sized businesses across a range of industries-including manufacturing, technology, financial services, and healthcare. The programs and services she offers include market pricing for specific positions, incentive plan development, and the design and implementation of salary structures. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Susan served as the Director of Compensation and Benefits and Assistant Vice President for Human Resources for a large financial services organization. She is recognized as a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) by World at Work.