Linking People, strategy, and performance The HR Matrix is passionate about helping companies achieve their highest potential. From onsite services to remote consultations, we work as expert partners with your management team, delivering solutions and services tailored to your organization.

About us

Founders

Brenda Gilchrist, SPHR, Co-Founder
With over 15 years of Human Resource Management experience, Brenda is an expert at leading companies through dynamic organizational change. She is recognized as one of the top business leaders, innovators and visionaries in the North Bay. Brenda has been awarded the North Bay Business Journal's Women in Business "Entrepreneur" award and also their Forty under 40 award.

In addition to leading The HR Matrix, Brenda is a faculty member/professor at Sonoma State University Executive MBA (EMBA) program. With a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Master's Degree in Organizational Dynamics from University of Pennsylvania, Brenda is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Brenda has held senior HR positions at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, VFDA-Management Service Organization (a pre-IPO, multi-state, start-up), Miltenyi Biotec and Sutter Health.

Brenda's approach to consulting combines a keen insight into company culture, strategy and best practices with the ability to help clients better understand their own needs. Her deeply collaborative style opens up discussion, while her expert knowledge ensures that solutions advance the client's long term goals.

When she's not working, Brenda is an avid adventure sports enthusiast. She enjoys training to compete in triathlons and other adventure-related events. Her favorite pastimes are trail running, road biking, and mountain biking.

Gary Hochman, Co-Founder
Gary Hochman has specialized in the development of organizations for over 25 years. As a principal of The HR Matrix, Gary works in close partnership with his clients, designing highly interactive processes to support desired outcomes while building accountability and commitment throughout the workplace. He enhances organizational effectiveness by integrating strategy, work systems design, as well as team and individual performance.

Prior to co-founding The HR Matrix, Gary was the vice president of HR at OCLI / JDS Uniphase and senior organization development consultant at Hewlett-Packard. He holds a B.A. in sociology and a M.A. degree - with a focus in organization development and training - from the Curtis L. Carlson School of Management.

Throughout his career, Gary has led countless projects helping executives and managers rapidly achieve results in a wide variety of demanding situations. With an extensive background in organization development and human resources, Gary brings unique expertise to a variety of challenges facing businesses, including business process improvement, organization design, enhancing team effectiveness, meeting design and facilitation, and the creation and implementation of strategic solutions.

In addition to his commitments to his family and the local non-profit community, Gary served on the faculty of the Organization Department Program at Sonoma State University for six years and University of San Francisco for four years. For inspiration and fun, Gary enjoys listening to and playing music, bicycling, travel, and scuba diving.

Northern CA Business Development

Susan Adams, Senior Associate
With over 15 years of professional HR experience, Susan helps her clients improve performance through the integration of business culture, strategy, and human resources programs. Her expertise in designing and implementing systems enables her clients to drive organizational results in areas of performance management, recruitment, compensation, benefits and communication. Susan also offers HR compliance expertise as well as facilitation for clients in areas of strategic planning and goal setting.

Susan holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Economics and Cultural Affairs from Valparaiso University, and a Master's Degree in Human Resource and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. Susan resides in Sonoma County with her family and enjoys actively serving the community through volunteer work for Redwood Empire Food Bank, COTS, and various activities at local schools.

Bay Area Business Development

Danielle Cordry, PhD, Senior Associate
As a skilled organizational development and human resources practitioner, Danielle helps clients identify strategies and solutions that link directly to their business goals. She brings clarity to complex issues and provides expert support for problem solving, decision making, change management, process improvement and program development. Her expertise in talent acquisition and systems, retention/engagement strategies and performance management helps her clients recruit, develop and retain the talent they need to succeed and grow.

Danielle has a M.A. in Clinical Psychology and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. After holding senior HR roles in start-ups and consulting firms, Danielle established Cordry Management Consulting in 2001 providing strategic human resources and organizational development consultation in the areas of litigation analysis, mergers and acquisitions, senior executive coaching, organizational design and human resources management.

Contact us to schedule a consultation.