About Us: Your Trusted HR Partners
At Cooper People Group (CPG), we bring wide-ranging, deep expertise to help organizations navigate even the most complex human resources challenges. As a full-service HR services firm, we offer customized human resource solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client, ensuring that your people strategy aligns with your organization’s goals and fosters a thriving workplace.
Whether you’re uncertain about employment law compliance, considering organizational restructuring, experiencing talent acquisition or retention challenges, or are looking to further develop your leaders, our team is here to help. Our experienced team of professionals can step in if you have no HR, HR is in transition, or HR just needs an extra set of hands for a reason or a season. No matter the scope, we customize our services to deliver what your organization needs most.
185+ Clients Served
From the Great Lakes and beyond, Cooper People Group is proud to to support organizations of all sizes and industries with tailored, people-first HR solutions.
15 CPG Associates
Our team of 15 experienced HR pros brings a wide range of expertise to every client partnership - ready to roll up our sleeves and make an impact.
50+ Unique Solutions
With over 50 distinct solutions in our toolkit, we meet our clients where they are and tailor solutions to fit their unique goals, challenges, and culture.
If You Have People, We Can Help
No matter your industry, location or size, if your organization has people, Cooper People Group can help. From manufacturing and production to tech and service industries, we understand the unique HR needs across sectors and tailor our solutions accordingly. We work alongside you to create a strategy that fits your workforce and business objectives.
Rooted in West Michigan, Ready to Serve Beyond
While we’re proud to call Grand Rapids home, our team of expert HR consultants is located throughout West Michigan, offering local expertise and personalized service. We have the regional knowledge to meet the specific demands of organizations in West Michigan, but we don’t stop there. Our capabilities extend beyond the Great Lakes region, allowing us to serve clients across the country with the same level of dedication and expertise.
At Cooper People Group, we are committed to partnering with you to deliver the right HR solutions that drive success.
Let’s build a stronger future for your organization together.
Our Mission
Helping organizations strengthen their HR strategy, structure, people and processes.
Our Vision
To enrich the world of work.
Our Guiding Principles
At Cooper People Group, we are driven to enrich the world of work because we believe that everyone deserves to do their best work with the best people.
people first
make work fun
Here's how we can
Meet the Team
Lisa Cooper, PHR, SHRM-CP
founder & CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Lisa Cooper is the Chief People Officer with Cooper People Group whose mission is to enrich the world of work by developing innovative HR strategies, HR structures, HR processes and HR people. Lisa is a Laker for Life (Go GVSU!) and with more than 20 years of HR leadership and consulting experience in West Michigan, she has worn nearly every hat in HR from entry-level Generalist through Consultant and Vice President and has a particular passion for small, entrepreneurial businesses, both for-profit and not-for-profit. Lisa enjoys public speaking, is a past-President for the Association for HR Management (a local SHRM chapter) and currently chairs the Governance Committees at North Kent Connect and Family Business Alliance and serves on the YWCA HR Committee.
Fun fact: Besides a love for great HR, Lisa loves her 3 teen daughters, her COVID rescue puppy, bacon, and scuba diving with hubby of 17 years, Dan.
Specialties
Strategic Planning, Future Workforce Development, EOS, Employee Engagement, HR Compliance, Small Business, Leadership Development
Education & Certifications
BA, PHR, SHRM-CP
Katherine Wolthuis,
SPHR, SHRM-SCP
SR. DIRECTOR OF HR CONSULTING
Katherine is Cooper People Group’s Sr. Director of HR Consulting. She brings a hard-working and professional attitude with an eagerness to learn, grow and drive results. She’s passionate about developing relationships, problem solving, process development and management, helping people, and by doing so, fully contributing to the success and growth of the companies she serves.
She’s previously held leadership positions with small, medium and large companies in the staffing, retail, manufacturing and banking industries. She holds an AS in Business from Grand Rapids Community College, BS in Business from Central Michigan University, an MBA from Michigan State University and SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications as well as a certificate of completion of the Graduate School of Banking for Human Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She currently serves as the President of the Montcalm Area Human Resource Association.
Fun Facts: Katherine enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their fur babies, Luna, Willow, and Kiki on the Woodbeck Chain of Lakes.
Specialties
Talent Acquisition, Employee and Labor Relations, Talent Management, Talent Development, Systems Administration, Onboarding, Employee Orientation, Recognition, and Engagement, Project Management
Education & Certifications
MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Lisa Valk
SR. DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Lisa Valk is the Sr. Director of Business Operations at Cooper People Group. She has 20+ years of Executive Leadership, HR and Operations experience with small– to medium–sized organizations in both the for profit and non-profit sectors. She has a passion for leading teams, enhancing operational efficiencies, and strategic financial oversight. She loves to see how organizational infrastructure supports people in doing their very best work. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from Western Michigan University and Certificate of Human Resources Specialists from Michigan State University. She has served on several non-profit boards and is currently the President of the Forest Hills Eastern Academic Booster Club.
Specialties
Leading Teams, Enhancing Operational Efficiencies, and Strategic Financial Oversight
Education
BA, Certificate of Human Resource Specialists
Claire Larabel, MA, SHRM-SCP
DIRECTOR OF TALENT ACQUISITION & DEVELOPMENT
Claire is the Director of Talent Acquisition & Development with Cooper People Group. She has spent her career working in internally and externally focused roles at both large and small organizations! She has a passion for finding the right people, enabling people to succeed by providing the right training and support, and helping organizations through change. Claire has a Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College in Business with a concentration in Human Resources and a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Organizational Learning and Performance.
Fun fact: I pitched a no-hitter in high school!
Specialties
Talent Acquisition, Employment Branding, Recruiter Training, Onboarding, Training Programs, Leader Development, Performance Management, EOS Tools
Education & Certifications
MA, SHRM-SCP, The Predictive Index
Elizabeth (Lisa) Hanning,
JD, SPHR
SR. HR CONSULTANT
Lisa Hanning is a Sr. HR Consultant at Cooper People Group. She brings more than 30 years of HR Executive Leadership experience in the manufacturing, legal, higher education and non-profit sectors. She is passionate about developing HR teams, and helping organizations find solutions to help grow their business and their people.
Lisa has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Denver, a Juris Doctorate degree from Seattle University of Law, and a Master of Law in Taxation from the University of Denver College of Law. She is a member of Kent County’s Chapter of 100 Women Who Care.
Fun facts: Lisa is an avid traveler, and proud mom of two grown children. She LOVES dogs, Michigan summers, and entertaining friends out on her boat. Lisa is also learning to play the piano.
Specialties
Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development, Employment Law, Employee Relations and Training, Benefit Plan Design and Management, HR Team and Organizational Performance, Succession Planning, Restructuring and Post-Merger Integration
Education & Certifications
JD, SPHR, MRG Assessment’s LEA 360
Roseann Masotti, BS, MA
SR. HR CONSULTANT
Roseann Masotti is a Sr. HR Consultant at Cooper People Group. With more than 30 years of broad business experience, Rosann has held multiple executive level leadership roles in multiple functions including operations, human resources, sales support, IT, and systems planning. She has worked inside large corporations, mid-size 3rd gen businesses, and 1st gen start-ups. Roseann is passionate about helping leadership teams develop sustainable practices that drive healthy, high-performance organizations and profitable growth. She is known and valued for her unique ability to blend human science and business acumen to help organizations drive results while building trust and cohesion and engaging people.
Roseann has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Michigan State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Central Michigan University. She also received her Certification in Lean Manufacturing from University of Michigan.
Fun facts: Roseann is an avid reader, amateur chef, and self-declared foodie. She loves walking with her dogs, hiking in the woods, cruising around in her pontoon (with a glass of wine!), and spending time with family and friends. She has two grown daughters and two adorable dogs that have attempted to fill the holes left by her girls when they left the nest! Roseann loves entertaining friends who share her love of good food, good wine, and good books!
Specialties
Organizational Structure and Performance Management Systems, Strategic Planning (Business and HR), Succession Planning, Team Health, Lean Manufacturing, Positive Accountability Systems, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development, Employee Relations, Policy Development and Deployment, Restructuring and Integration following mergers or multi-site consolidations.
Education & Certifications
BS, MA, Lean Manufacturing
Cynthia Peña, SHRM-CP
HR CONSULTANT
Before joining Cooper People Group, Cynthia Pena built her career supporting medium-sized businesses (100–500 employees) in shared services settings. With lean HR teams, she learned to do it all, from onboarding to payroll, benefits to compliance, and everything in between. That experience made her a true generalist and problem solver, able to handle the full employee lifecycle while keeping people and culture at the center.
That foundation prepared her to thrive in the fast-paced world of startups. Known as the startup queen, she has helped multiple businesses launch and guided others through acquisitions, making complex transitions feel seamless. Beyond startups, Cynthia thrives on dynamic projects of all kinds, from HRIS and benefits implementations to handbook development, team trainings, and culture-forward strategies that help organizations scale.
Since joining Cooper People Group, she has expanded her support to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations across industries such as retail, food & beverage, manufacturing, community development, architecture, education, construction, and technology.
Outside of HR, Cynthia is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher and Events Co-Chair for Women of Color Give, blending wellness and community impact into everything she does.
Specialties
Certifications
SHRM-CP, Human Resource Professional Certification Program (Michigan Chamber of Commerce), AIHR | Academy to Innovate HR, HR Consulting Skills
Jason Ramer, BA
HR & COMPENSATION CONSULTANT
Jason is CPG’s HR & Compensation Consultant, specializing in the area of compensation within the total rewards function. He has spent his career working for large global organizations in several industries including the automotive, consumer appliance, medical device, and agriculture sectors. He has deep expertise within the compensation function with backgrounds in supply chain and finance as well. He is excited to create solutions for our clients, and help them move towards improved results. Jason has a BA in Supply Chain Management from Western Michigan University. He supports his local community through coaching high school sports and serving in his local church.
Fun fact: In Jason’s first (& only) marathon, he barely beat the 1st speed walker by 2 minutes!
Specialties
Remuneration Strategy, Base Salary Administration, Variable Pay Planning, Compensation Planning, Sales Compensation Planning, Reward and Recognition Programs, Job Levelling Evaluation, Systems Administration, Project Management, Employee Mobility Support, Total Reward Integrations
Education
BA
Alexandria Polk, BS
HR CONSULTANT
Alexandria is an HR Consultant with a heart for service, and more than 15 years’ experience building and enabling strong teams across a variety of industries. For nearly a decade, her work included supporting labor contract negotiations, complaint investigations, progressive discipline, leave of absences, and the grievance and arbitration process for a mid-sized local government. Alexandria was then tapped in to support employee benefits, implement a variety of HR software systems, and lead a team to oversee recruiting, onboarding, classification & compensation analysis, and talent retention strategies. In that time she spearheaded the implementation of an award-winning hiring process that reduced barriers to employment and increased equity in talent search processes. With a particular penchant for mission driven organizations, Alexandria’s consulting track record includes placing 12 talented executive & management professionals at a global philanthropic foundation as well as providing a variety of HR generalist support to small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Alexandria is a Certified Diversity Sourcing Professional (CDSP), holds Human Resources Specialist certificates from Michigan State University and the Public Sector HR Association, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development with a Public Administration focus from Central Michigan University.
Fun fact: Alexandria loves strengthening community and has served locally with the GRPS Montessori Advisory Council, the Mayor’s Next Gen Advisory Board, Kent County FOC Advisory Committee, and Public Agency, a human-centered design consultancy within WMCAT.
Specialties
Talent Acquisition, Onboarding, Labor Relations, Compensation, HR Technology, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Education & Certifications
BS, CDSP, Certified HR Specialist
Robin Wondergem, SHRM-CP
HR CONSULTANT
Robin Wondergem is an HR Consultant with Cooper People Group. With over 9 years as an HR Practitioner, Robin has worked across most areas of HR ranging from Generalist to Director level roles. She has worked both consulting and internal HR roles, always with a focus in making great places to work. Robin is passionate about getting to know people to create great work environments where process improvements and innovation are valued. Her specialties include employee relations, compliance, process development, leadership development, EOS, compensation and employee communication.
Robin has her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Calvin College, maintains her SHRM-CP certification and serves on the Association for Human Resource Management (a local SHRM chapter) board as the incoming President.
Fun Fact: Outside of work, Robin loves to cook, go for walks and watch the latest show (on any streaming service) with her boyfriend and cat.
Education & Certifications
BS, SHRM-CP, Strategic Human Resources Leadership Certificate from Cornell University
Traci Douglas,
MLRHR, SHRM-SCP
HR CONSULTANT
Traci is an HR Consultant at Cooper People Group, bringing over 30 years of human resources experience across manufacturing, nonprofit, healthcare, and housing sectors. With a blend of in-house leadership and recent consulting work, she has deep expertise in total rewards management, including compensation, benefits, HRIS, and employee communications, as well as talent management, employee relations, and work/life balance. Traci is skilled at developing policies, such as employee handbooks, and guiding organizations through mergers, acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. Her passion lies in helping organizations approach HR in a way that feels accessible and supportive. By simplifying complex processes, she creates HR frameworks that empower both businesses and employees to thrive. Traci holds a Bachelor’s in Business degree from Miami University, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Michigan State University, and is SHRM-SCP certified.
Specialties
Total Rewards Management, Compensation, Benefits, HRIS, Talent Management, Employee Relations, Employee Handbooks, and Work/Life Balance
Education & Certifications
BS, MLRHR, SHRM-SCP
Kyle Perry, BBA
HR ASSISTANT
Kyle is the HR Assistant at Cooper People Group. He brings a passion for service and a sharp attention to detail to deliver results the right way. With a creative eye for value creation, Kyle strives to optimize people’s experiences and provide the best possible solutions for those he supports.
Kyle received his bachelor’s degree in HR Management from Grand Valley State University and has served on several boards with organizations including the Association for Human Resource Management (AHRM), the GVSU Society for Human Resource Management (GVSHRM), and the Seidman Mentorship Program.
Fun facts: Kyle is a lover of the arts, and he’s always surrounded by music, books, and movies. He loves playing games and spending time with his fiancé and their two cats.
Specialties
Project Management, Data Analytics and Optimization, Talent Acquisition, Retention, and Engagement
Education
BBA
Cinthia Williams, BA
GROWTH & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Cinthia is the Growth & Communications Manager at CPG. She provides a wide variety of marketing and sales support to CPG and those we serve. She began her professional career in Business Administration in college and has worked and volunteered for non-profit organizations, an insurance agency, a financial institution, and in higher education. Cinthia is passionate about serving and helping others, both professionally and personally. She prides herself on her experience with data analytics, graphic design, problem solving, and spreadsheet programming.
Cinthia has a BA in Human Resources Management and an AS in Business Administration from Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She volunteers in her local community on a regular basis, including with the Friends of the Otsego District Public Library, the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, and the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team.
Fun facts: Cinthia is a stay-at-home mom with her son, Theo. She is an animal lover and health and fitness advocate. She loves Microsoft Excel!
Specialties
Microsoft Suite, Graphic Designing, Calendar Management, Organization, Customer Service, Project Management
Education
BA
Jenna Grooms, BA
BUSINESS OPERATIONS & PEOPLE COORDINATOR
Jenna is the Business Operations & People Coordinator at Cooper People Group. She’s a seasoned business professional with a background in office administration, customer care, client account management and implementation, event planning, social media management, and creative design needs. Jenna has a passion for providing extraordinary service, and takes pride in offering world class support to all she serves. Her professional career has spanned the corporate, non-profit, network marketing, and entrepreneurial sectors.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from Grand Valley State University and her Associate’s Degree in Arts from Grand Rapids Community College. She actively supports the Grandville School District as a member of the Community Council committee, and regularly volunteers with her daughters’ respective schools. She also enjoys singing and volunteering at her family’s local church.
Fun Facts: Jenna is a Certified Breathwork Coach and Certified Holistic Wellness Coach. She enjoys participating in the Grand Rapids theater community with her husband Chris, and feels her greatest contribution to this world is as a mama to her daughters Violet and Rose.
Specialties
Customer Service, Coaching, Organization, Training, Event Planning, Project Management
Education
BA, AA
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