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.
200+ 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 Core Values
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.
Meet the Team
Lisa Cooper, PHR, SHRM-CP
founder & CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Lisa Cooper is the Founder & President of Cooper People Group and brings more than 25 years of human resources and business leadership experience to organizations across West Michigan and beyond. Throughout her career, she has partnered with organizations at every stage, size, and age to strengthen their people strategies and achieve their business goals. Lisa is passionate about helping leaders understand that people are at the heart of every successful organization and believes HR should be practical, strategic, and deeply connected to business outcomes. She loves helping leaders navigate the messy, complicated people side of business and turn uncertainty into clear, actionable steps.
Before founding Cooper People Group in 2021, Lisa held HR leadership roles starting from HR Generalist to Vice President of Human Resources before taking the leap into consulting and entrepreneurship. Today, she partners with business owners and leadership teams to clarify vision, strengthen culture, develop leaders, and build sustainable HR strategies. Known for her ability to listen deeply and simplify complex people challenges, Lisa helps organizations move from ideas to action. In addition to leading Cooper People Group’s strategy, growth and culture, Lisa is a sought-after speaker and facilitator known for blending practical HR expertise, real-world stories, and a healthy dose of humor while ensuring audiences leave with ideas they can put to work Monday morning.
Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Grand Valley State University and maintains her PHR and SHRM-CP credentials. She is also a certified Predictive Index practitioner. Outside of work, Lisa puts her passion for leadership, board governance and the West Michigan community to good use by serving on numerous boards, committees, and advisory groups, including the Refugee Education Center, First Merchants Bank, YWCA, and the West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative.
Beyond the Bio: Lisa
- Lisa, husband Dan, and three daughters are on a mission to hike all 63 U.S. National Parks. 25 down, 38 to go!
- Starting CPG was one big, exciting accident. Yet, she’s the first female founder in a family of six entrepreneurs. (Coulda seen that one coming, right?)
- She’s never had a cup of coffee. Ever. So weird. You should ask her about how she decides which flavor of tea she’s going to pick each day. Even weirder.
Katherine Wolthuis,
SPHR, SHRM-SCP
SR. DIRECTOR OF HR CONSULTING
Katherine Wolthuis is the Sr. Director of HR Consulting at Cooper People Group and brings more than 25 years of executive human resources leadership experience helping organizations strengthen their people, processes, and performance. Her career has taken her from startups to publicly traded companies with 70,000+ employees across the staffing, retail, manufacturing, construction, banking, and nonprofit sectors. Katherine is passionate about helping leaders improve communication, engagement, and the employee experience while building organizations where both people and businesses thrive.
Katherine’s career spans nearly every level of HR leadership, from recruiting and employee relations to Vice President of Human Resources. Known for her strategic mindset—and her knack for spotting opportunities others might miss—Katherine leads Cooper People Group’s HR consulting team. She’s constantly developing new solutions and processes to better serve our clients and keep up with the ever-changing world of work. As a trusted resource for HR assessments, organizational structure, succession planning, handbook development, and long-term people strategy, Katherine brings to the table thoughtful guidance, practical solutions, and the ability to balance business needs with genuine care for people.
Katherine holds an Associate Degree in Business from Grand Rapids Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Business from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. She is SPHR and SHRM-SCP certified and is a Certified Predictive Index Talent Optimization Consultant. Beyond her client work, Katherine is passionate about giving back to her community. She currently serves as President of the Montcalm Area Human Resource Association, volunteers with Heroes Operation, supports local fundraising initiatives, and co-founded the Exton-Wolthuis Stewardship Fund, which supports causes close to her family’s heart. Outside of work, Katherine enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, their dogs Luna, Willow, and Kiki, and hosting exchange students from around the world (so cool!).
Beyond the Bio: Katherine
- Leadership quality she’ll always hire for: Intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Favorite way to recognize a great employee: A sincere, heartfelt, and specific message of gratitude. (❤️)
- People do their best work when: They feel appreciated and have the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Lisa Valk
SR. DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Lisa Valk serves as the Sr. Director of Business Operations at Cooper People Group, bringing more than 14 years of experience supporting human resources, operations, finance, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has helped high-growth for-profit and nonprofit organizations create workplaces where people feel supported, engaged, and empowered to do their best work. Lisa is passionate about building systems, processes, and environments that help both people and organizations thrive and has a knack for connecting the dots between people, operations, and business strategy.
Prior to joining CPG, Lisa spent nearly a decade helping lead a local nonprofit family shelter and housing organization, progressing from Director of Housing to Chief Operating Officer as the organization grew. Her career has also included retail banking, commercial lending, facilities, office operations, and HR leadership roles with other HR consulting firms and within the banking industry. Today, Lisa leads Cooper People Group’s business operations and HR team, bringing a perspective that keeps both sides of the equation in view: what the business needs to accomplish and what the people behind it need to make it happen.
Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Western Michigan University and earned a Certified HR Specialist certification through Michigan State University. Outside of work, she serves as President of the Forest Hills Eastern Academic Booster Club, supporting students, families, and the broader school community.
Beyond the Bio: Lisa
- Leadership mantra: Don’t miss the layups.
- Leadership quality she’ll always hire for: Fun. If we can’t have fun at work, it’s not worth it. (Truth!)
- Workplace hill she’ll die on: Always sleep on a really big decision.
Claire Larabel, MA, SHRM-SCP
DIRECTOR OF TALENT ACQUISITION & DEVELOPMENT
Claire Larabel has spent 15 years helping organizations find great people, grow great people, and—perhaps most importantly—keep great people. Throughout her career, she has partnered with leaders in manufacturing, distribution, professional services, non-profit and construction industries to sharpen hiring strategies, develop employees, and build high-performing teams. As the Director of Talent Acquisition & Development at Cooper People Group, she pours that experience and passion into problem solving, spotting talent gaps, and finding the right fit between individuals and organizations so both can thrive.
Prior to joining CPG, Claire’s career included roles in talent acquisition, learning and development, instructional design, performance consulting, employee engagement, organizational development, and HR. Her diverse background gives her a unique ability to evaluate current talent, identify gaps, and develop practical strategies (that actually work!) to help organizations reach their goals. Claire is particularly skilled at recruiting hard-to-fill positions and helping organizations leverage talent optimization tools to make smarter, more informed people decisions. At Cooper People Group, she serves as our subject matter expert in The Predictive Index, helping organizations better understand their people and put that insight to work.
Claire holds a bachelor’s degree from Calvin University with a concentration in Human Resources and a master’s degree in Organizational Learning & Performance from Western Michigan University. She is SHRM-SCP certified and a Predictive Index Talent Optimization Consultant.
Beyond the Bio: Claire
- Workplace trend she’s excited about: Four-day workweeks (we’re with ya, sister).
- Leadership quality she’ll always hire for: Curiosity.
- She could happily talk for an hour about: The current or upcoming New York City Broadway show season.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Hanning,
JD, SPHR
SR. HR CONSULTANT
Lisa Hanning is a Sr. HR Consultant at Cooper People Group with more than 30 years of executive HR leadership experience helping organizations build stronger people, stronger leaders, and stronger businesses. Throughout her career, she has supported organizations in the manufacturing, legal, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, partnering with leaders to solve complex workforce challenges and build workplaces where people can thrive. Lisa is at her best when she’s helping leaders strategically plan for the future: developing high-performing HR teams, coaching leaders, and creating practical solutions that support long-term organizational success.
Lisa brings deep expertise in strategic planning, executive coaching, leadership development, employee relations, succession planning, organizational performance, and employment law. Known for her thoughtful guidance and strategic perspective, she helps organizations navigate change, develop future leaders, and create the structures needed to support growth. At Cooper People Group, Lisa serves as our subject matter expert in MRG’s Leadership Effectiveness Analysis (LEA) 360™ assessment, helping leaders uncover their strengths, understand their leadership styles, and identify growth opportunities. She also leads our interim Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) services, functioning as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and boards across the community.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver, a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Denver College of Law. She is SPHR certified and an accredited LEA 360™ practitioner. Outside of work, she is a member of Kent County’s 100 Women Who Care, supporting causes that strengthen the local West Michigan community.
Beyond the Bio: Lisa
- She’s an avid traveler and always planning her next adventure.
- She’s currently learning to play the piano.
- She loves dogs, Michigan summers, and entertaining friends on her boat. (Alllll the good stuff!)
Roseann Masotti, MA
SR. HR CONSULTANT
Roseann Masotti is a Sr. HR Consultant at Cooper People Group with nearly four decades of experience turning people strategy into business results. She’s spent her career helping organizations—from global enterprises and multi-state employers to family-owned businesses, startups, and growing companies—build stronger teams, smarter operations, and workplaces where people and performance can thrive together. Her unique advantage? With a unique background spanning both human resources and business operations, Roseann brings a refreshingly practical perspective to leadership. She’s led HR, operations, and international teams across warehousing, distribution, technology, and manufacturing environments, giving her a firsthand understanding of what it takes to make good strategy actually work in the real world.
Roseann is passionate about helping leadership teams tap into the full potential of their people, creating workplaces where trust, accountability, and business performance can thrive together. She combines human science with business savvy to help leadership teams tackle everything from organizational change and strategic planning to talent development, succession planning, mergers, and team effectiveness. At Cooper People Group, she is a trusted resource in talent planning, Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)®, and operational excellence tools.
Roseann holds a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Central Michigan University and continues to support her local community through volunteer opportunities with her church.
Beyond the Bio: Roseann
- Favorite leadership mantra: Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
- Leadership quality she’ll always hire for: Curiosity.
- People do their best work when: It doesn’t feel like work. (Facts!)
Cynthia Peña, SHRM-CP
HR CONSULTANT
Cynthia Peña is an HR Consultant at Cooper People Group with 10 years of experience helping organizations build healthier workplaces where people and businesses can thrive. Her HR career has taken her from HR Assistant to HR Generalist, HR Manager, and now HR Consultant, giving her a front-row view of the many moving pieces that make people operations work. Along the way, she’s supported multi-state and multi-location organizations and partnered with leaders on everything from employee relations and benefits administration to HR systems, leadership development, and organizational growth.
Cynthia is passionate about wellness and believes that when people feel supported, valued, and cared for, organizations are better positioned for long-term success. Known for her thoughtful, relationship-driven approach, she enjoys tackling complex HR projects, solving organizational challenges, and helping clients find practical solutions that fit their unique goals. At Cooper People Group, she is a trusted resource for HR startups, mergers and acquisitions, leadership development, employee handbooks, benefits administration, HRIS implementations, leave management, and employee relations.
Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication from Western Michigan University and has earned both her SHRM-CP and Human Resource Professional Certification through the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work, Cynthia is a certified 200-hour yoga instructor and has supported community organizations including Women of Color Give, Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP), the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Boston Square Ignite. She enjoys meditation, exploring Michigan, and finding ways to make life a beautiful adventure.
Beyond the Bio: Cynthia
- Leadership quality she’ll always hire for: A roll-up-your-sleeves mindset.
- Favorite way to recognize a great employee: A handwritten note (love!)
- People do their best work when: They feel thought of, considered, and cared for.
Rose VanWyk
HR CONSULTANT
Rose VanWyk is an HR Consultant at Cooper People Group with a knack for bringing organization, positivity, and a servant-hearted approach to even the trickiest people challenges. With 10 years of HR experience, she’s helped organizations build strong teams, navigate compliance hurdles, and create employee experiences that make people want to stay. Rose has worked across healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and office furniture organizations, partnering with leaders on everything from talent acquisition and employee relations to HR technology, leave management, and workforce strategy. Her career has included roles in office management, recruiting, HR leadership, and consulting, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the employee lifecycle and what makes organizations and their people thrive.
Rose is passionate about helping organizations attract and retain great talent while ensuring they have the systems and processes in place to support long-term success. She enjoys helping organizations develop talent strategies, build succession plans, strengthen compliance practices, and solve complex people challenges. At Cooper People Group, Rose is a trusted resource for leave management, talent search placements, and HR communications.
Rose holds an Associate of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resource Management and has previously earned certifications in both Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Administration. She is active in community volunteer efforts and has organized charitable initiatives supporting organizations that serve women and children in need. Outside of work, Rose enjoys spending time with her family, visiting national parks, and believes that great leadership starts with serving others!
Beyond the Bio: Rose
- Leadership mantra: “To lead the people, walk behind them.” – Laozi
- Leadership quality she’ll always hire for: A positive attitude.
- Unofficial job title: Spinning Plates Balancer. (We would love to see this in real life!)
Alexandria Polk
HR CONSULTANT
Alexandria Polk is an HR Consultant at Cooper People Group with nearly 15 years of experience helping organizations turn people challenges into opportunities for growth. With a blend of empathy and strategy, she partners with leaders to build stronger workplaces—and make HR feel a lot more approachable along the way. Prior to joining CPG, Alexandria held HR leadership roles with a local municipality and recruiting leadership positions within a recruiting firm supporting a variety of industries . She has supported public sector organizations, nonprofits, small businesses, and multi-state employers, giving her a front-row seat to a wide range of workplace challenges.
At her core, Alexandria believes HR is about people first. She is passionate about helping organizations create workplaces where employees feel valued, leaders feel supported, and businesses can thrive. Known for her thoughtful approach and attention to detail, she is widely trusted as our go-to HR expert for compensation analysis, HR for non-profits, talent sourcing, and employee relations investigations.
Alexandria holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Development with a focus in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and is a Certified Diversity Sourcing Professional. She is deeply invested in her community through nonprofit organizations and has served on the Senior Neighbors Board of Directors, Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Montessori Advisory Council, and Kent County’s Friend of the Court Advisory Committee to name a few. Whether she’s supporting a client with a tricky HR question, mentoring others, or serving her community, Alexandria is driven by a genuine desire to help people succeed.
Beyond the Bio: Alexandria
- Favorite workplace trend: Bringing dogs to work? Absolutely. Cats? Let’s just say she has boundaries.
- Biggest misconception about HR: That when HR shows up, it means something bad is happening. Alexandria would like to officially retire that idea.
- Professional superpower: Finding the sweet spot between strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
Traci Douglas,
MLRHR, SHRM-SCP
HR CONSULTANT
With 30+ years of experience in HR, Traci Douglas knows a thing or two about helping organizations—and the people in them—thrive. As an HR Consultant at Cooper People Group, she brings practical, people-centered solutions to workplaces of all shapes and sizes, from small businesses to organizations with more than 1,000 employees. Traci’s experience spans manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, government, nonprofit, housing, education, tribal nations, and senior care. Having spent her entire career in human resources, Traci brings deep expertise in employee relations, compliance, talent acquisition, performance management, policy development, leave administration, HR systems, and onboarding.
Traci is passionate about making HR approachable and helping organizations create systems, processes, and employee experiences that support long-term success. Traci is known for her empathy, and her supportive, roll-up-your sleeves approach. Our clients value her ability to simplify complex HR issues and serve as both a trusted sounding board and hands-on partner when needed.
Traci holds a Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations from Michigan State University and is SHRM-SCP certified. Outside of work, she has volunteered her HR expertise with ICCF Community Homes and was an active member of the Junior League of Grand Rapids for more than 20 years.
Beyond the Bio: Traci
- Best career advice: Leaders don’t like surprises. Deliver bad news when necessary, but bring solutions too.
- Currently obsessed with: Helping her kids plan for their future.
- Biggest misconception about HR: We’re only the bearers of bad news!
Kara Raley-Robart
HR CONSULTANT
Kara Raley-Robart is an HR Consultant at Cooper People Group with nearly a decade of human resources experience helping organizations navigate growth, change, and all the people-related curveballs that come with them. Throughout her career, she has supported multi-state employers in transportation, construction, HVAC, fabrication, and other skilled trade industries—often within fast-paced, high-growth environments where “business as usual” isn’t really a thing. Kara is passionate about continuous learning and loves that no two days in HR look exactly the same. Whether she’s untangling a compliance challenge, building a better process, or helping leaders turn good intentions into practical solutions to operate more effectively, she brings to the table curiosity and meticulous attention to detail.
Before joining CPG, Kara worked her way from HR Assistant to Senior HR Manager, building expertise in compliance, policy development, training, and organizational growth. Known for being detail-oriented, thorough, and transparent, Kara especially enjoys system implementations, process improvement, and translating complex policies into practical tools that employees can actually understand and leaders can confidently use. As an English major, she’s also the person you want in your corner when an employee handbook, policy, or workplace communication needs to say exactly what it means.
Kara holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hope College and maintains her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. Outside of work, Kara enjoys pouring into her friendships, her children, and various homesteading projects with her husband.
Beyond the Bio: Kara
- Unique talent: She can juggle. Yes, literally. (You should ask her to demonstrate when you meet her!)
- Currently obsessed with: Perfecting her at-home iced latte recipe.
- People do their best work when: They are supported by their leaders.
Cinthia Williams
GROWTH & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Cinthia Williams serves as Cooper People Group’s Growth & Communications Manager and brings more than 13 years of experience supporting organizations through human resources, operations, communications, and business administration. Throughout her career, she has worked with organizations ranging from small businesses to large employers with 10,000+ employees across the nonprofit, insurance, banking, and hospitality sectors. No matter the size or industry, Cinthia is passionate about the same things: solving messy problems, building efficient systems, and helping teams make sense of complex information through clear communication and thoughtful design.
Since joining Cooper People Group, Cinthia has worn several hats, including HR & Office Operations Coordinator, Office & HR Manager, and now Growth & Communications Manager. Known for her organization, attention to detail, creativity, and knack for “finding a way,” she enjoys tackling challenges that involve data, reporting, process improvement, and visual storytelling. Whether she’s building a spreadsheet, designing a resource, or organizing a complex project, Cinthia thrives on creating solutions that help move work forward.
Cinthia holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Davenport University. She volunteers with the Friends of the Otsego District Library and is passionate about supporting her local community. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her making sourdough, gardening, weightlifting, or homeschooling her son. In other words, she apparently doesn’t believe in sitting still.
Beyond the Bio: Cinthia
- Unofficial job title: The Fixer.
- Workplace hill she’ll die on: A good spreadsheet can solve almost any problem.
- Leadership mantra: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin
Audrey Cooper
Accounting & Office Assistant
Audrey Cooper serves as the Accounting & Office Assistant at Cooper People Group, supporting the team behind the scenes to keep operations running like a well-oiled machine. She brings a strong customer service background, a passion for problem-solving, and a people-first mindset to her work, helping ensure both clients and team members have a positive experience with CPG.
In addition to her work at Cooper People Group, Audrey has held board leadership roles through a women’s collegiate organization, where she has managed financial communications, member engagement systems, organizational records, and coordination with advisors and national leadership. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to continuous improvement make her a valuable member of the CPG team.
Audrey is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business law at Arizona State University while also working toward a certificate in Legal Systems and Governance.
Beyond the Bio: Audrey
- Leadership mantra: There is always more to learn. Never stop learning!
- Currently obsessed with: Long walks. (Is there really anything better?)
- People do their best work when: They’re surrounded by hardworking people.
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