About Us
Who We Are
Since 2004, Spectrum HR Solutions has been a trusted partner to small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, and public-sector organizations across Maryland and beyond. We specialize in strategic and tactical HR operations, compensation analysis and design, leadership development, compliance, and organizational growth solutions.
Our mission is simple: to help businesses build scalable, sustainable, and people-centered workplaces that drive performance, reduce risk, and support long-term success. With over 20 years of experience, we combine deep HR expertise with a hands-on approach—working directly within organizations to strengthen systems, improve leadership, and create thriving workplace cultures.
At Spectrum HR Solutions, we believe people are the foundation of every successful business. Our role is to ensure that foundation is strong, resilient, and ready for growth.
Core Values
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We provide premium, high quality, and high-touch services
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We foster trust in our working relationships and guard confidentiality
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We are committed to effective communication and nurture client relationships
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We continually achieve the highest level of expertise
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We provide our clients a skilled experience through support and teamwork
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We create a stimulating work environment, where creativity is encouraged
A Message from our CEO
Brenda McChriston, M.A., SHRM-SCP, SPHR
CEO and Principal Spectrum HR Solutions
Celebrating 20 years of service
My story begins as an 8-year old watching her father manage employees, prepare payroll, plan work travel and meet with the official-looking man in a grey flannel suit who collected monthly life insurance premiums. I loved the smell of ledger books and the scribe of neatly recorded penmanship. I watched my mother organize and manage the household with such love, discipline, and problem-solving ability. I soon rounded up my younger sisters and brothers, formed a ‘kids’ company’ taking over the back porch with all sorts of projects. We sold lemonade, ran errands, and performed household chores no one else wanted to touch.
Through it all, there was an underlying drive to do more, set my purpose and goals, be flexible, responsible and contribute to the greater whole. Little did I realize that these same principles hold true today. As subject-matter experts in human resources we reaffirm our beliefs in the gifts and abilities of every human being. We then share our success with organizations and the people within them.
At Spectrum HR Solutions, we have taken the professional oaths that our practice demands—to not tolerate prejudice, bias, discrimination, or injustice. We have risen above the ‘noise’ and embraced the gifted talents of people regardless of skin color, culture, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disabilities, religious beliefs, economic and educational background. It's good business, good for our communities and good for all generations.
We take care of each other so that we can take care of you. In turn you succeed beyond measure.
Respectfully,
Brenda McChriston, M.A., SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Meet Our Team
Kelly Brooks, M.P.S.
Vice President of Operations
Kelly Brooks is the VP of Operations with Spectrum HR Solutions and specializes in revitalizing internal business operations to achieve increased efficiency, productivity and improved organizational culture. With over a decade of experience in organizational development and using data-driven strategies, Kelly has helped businesses to improve sustainability by focusing on making internal improvements to processes, policies and creating thriving company cultures.
Kelly joined Spectrum HR as a Jr. Productivity Partner Consultant in 2010 and currently helps run the day-to-day business operations thereby increasing the firm’s visibility and customer base. Kelly holds a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Baltimore County (UMBC).
Fun Fact: Kelly loves to do almost everything that involves sunshine and nature!
Ruth Bassham, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Senior Productivity Partner
Ruth Bassham’s 25-year Human Resources career spans a wide spectrum of industries, from Fortune 500 to start-ups, government contracting, manufacturing and distribution, and professional services organizations. As an employee, she has been hands-on with each HR functional area, supervised teams, and headed an HR department of 6 in a complex environment.
Ruth helps businesses to be more effective through policy development, change management, training development and delivery, and communications; her expertise also extends to labor and employee relations, mergers/acquisitions, compensation and benefits design, and retention plans—all in multi-state and global operations.
Fun Fact: Ruth loves singing in her church and an evening backyard barbeque with family and friends.
TJ DeLoatch, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Senior Productivity Partner
TJ DeLoatch is a 20-year seasoned Human Resources Professional. She is a results-driven HR professional who strives to set, achieve, and exceed professional goals. She has spent the majority of her career in the retail and commercial furniture industry, with developed experience in areas such as compliance, training & development, and organizational change.
Fun Fact: While HR is her primary job function by day, TJ changes the world as an avid baker, budding graphic artist, and Life Coach.
Karen Jacobs, MBA, PCC
Senior Productivity Partner and Leadership Coach
Karen is a business leader with over 26 years of experience in Leadership and Organization Development disciplines navigating the corporate landscape particularly within a Fortune 200, government and not-for-profit organizations. As an innovative solutions provider within complex organizations, Karen understands the challenges of today’s workforce, and delivers relevant and practical training and executive coaching to encourage professional and personal growth.
Fun Fact: Karen is an Elite-level certified Master Scuba Diver with experience spanning from the Great Barrier.
Nicola Edwards, MBA, SHRM-CP
Productivity Partner
Nicola has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and is an innovative and results-driven Leader with proven success in performance management, training, talent development, recruiting, and mediation of complex employee relations issues.
Fun Fact: Travel is my passion!
Melody Gratic M. Ed, CDP®
Productivity Partner and DEIB Specialist
Melody holds a Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration. She has over 24 years of leadership and management experience with instruction and facilitation. After more than 20 years of active service, Melody has honorably retired from the United States Army.
Fun Fact: Melody loves reading, visiting museums, traveling, and attending Broadway plays with family and friends.
Erin Callahan, SHPR, BBHR, MS
Productivity Partner
Erin has over 14 years of Human Resources experience solving complex organizational challenges, driving growth, and leading strategic change initiatives. She has worked in several industries ranging from construction, manufacturing, logistics, government contracting, non-profit, and finance. As a certified Senior HR Professional and a Six Sigma Black Belt, Erin specializes in employee relations, unions, continuous improvement, process/system design, and change management.
Fun Fact: Erin is a car enthusiast who spends her free time working on cars and drag racing in community sponsored events.
Ky Bashir, SHRM-CP, PHR
Admin Services Coordinator & Productivity Partner
Ky Bashir is a Training and Development professional with a career span of 15 years in Human Resources in various industries. Ky holds a BS in Business Education, MA in Human Services Administration and certificates in Instructional Systems Development and Technology. She has taught business, human resources and supervisory courses at Community Colleges.
Fun Fact: Ky is crazy about organizing and staging homes. When she is not obsessing over home designs, she enjoys jazz festivals, shopping, traveling, spas and having fun!
Latina Shelton, BA, MTA, CPM
Productivity Partner
Tina has been in the HR/People Ops space creating valuable Employee Experiences for the last 6 years. With an extensive knowledge base in the Tech Industry, specialties include implementation of HRIS/HCM platforms for small/medium businesses.
Fun Fact: She enjoys traveling and having cuddles with her 2 mini-Daschunds, Mink Mink and DoodleBug.
Nita Armstrong, SHRM - CP, PHR
Productivity Partner
Nita is a seasoned HR Professional with over 12 years of experience in HR and strategy. Nita brings a diverse background in multiple industries and with demonstrated a passion for optimizing the capabilities of individuals and teams to drive organizational success. She specializes in areas including but not limited to strategic workforce planning, process redesign/improvement, data analytics, performance Management, change management, legal compliance, HR policies, and succession planning.
Fun Fact: I love having fun with family and friends!
Crystal Cumbo
Productivity Partner
Crystal brings over 20 years of Human Resources leadership experience across industries including non-profit, education, transportation, workforce development, and media. Crystal has a proven track record of building and scaling HR functions, including designing and launching start-up HR departments, as well as optimizing talent management, employee engagement, strategic workforce planning, organizational development, process improvement, performance management and HR compliance.
With a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management and certificates in Strategic HR Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Crystal is known for her ability to implement impactful solutions that strengthen culture, optimize processes, and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Fun Fact: Crystal enjoys staying active with yoga and strength training, binge-watching Law & Order: SVU, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and embracing every facet of life with optimism and a smile.
Shawn Jefferies, SHRM-CP
Productivity Partner
Shawn Jeffries' 25 years of HR experience spans nonprofits, private sector, federal government contracting and DC Government. She specializes in talent acquisition, workforce optimization, and organizational efficiency. Shawn has a proven track record of aligning HR strategies with business goals, streamlining processes, and enhancing performance through compensation design, benefits optimization, and HR technology.
With deep expertise in recruiting for highly regulated environments, including security-cleared roles, Shawn excels in building high-performing teams and ensuring compliance. She is committed to driving people-first strategies that foster engagement, productivity, and long-term success.
Fun Fact: Shawn is an avid basketball fan, specifically LeBron. Her saying, "have LeBron will travel!" She also enjoys home design, shopping, and live music.
Susan Coe, MBA
Productivity Partner
Bio coming soon...
Certifications
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Certification – SHRM-SCP, SPHR
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Certification – MBE MDOT
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Certification – MBE Howard County, MD
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Certification – Workplace DEI
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Certification – PII Protect Cyber Security
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Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business
Are you are a prime contractor looking for a sub or a government agency seeking HR, management consulting, training, or executive services? As an MBE certified partner, our top-rated team and industry-leading expertise makes Spectrum HR Solutions a winning choice to capture Tier 1 and Tier 2 minority spend for the following NAICS codes:
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541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
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541612 Human Resources Consulting Services
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541618 Other Management Consulting Services
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561499 Professional and Management Development Training
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561312 Executive Search Services