PPR: Where People, Purpose, and Performance Align
Elevating Workplaces Through Personalized HR Partnership
Our Mission
To show up as experts and side-by-side partners, empowering our clients and instilling confidence in them to make key people decisions.
Our Vision
To be a global leader inspiring companies to become excellent workplaces, sustainably.
Our Values
Ownership
We are deeply committed and accountable to our purpose, vision, and mission, providing a solid foundation for our collective journey.
Learning
We don’t profess to know everything, so we are curious and hungry for knowledge. Our commitment to learning ensures that we are constantly evolving and improving for the benefit of ourselves, our organization, our culture, our relationships, and the systems and processes we use.
Adaptability
We adapt to changing conditions, remain flexible, and do not sacrifice delivering our best work.
Fun & Positivity
We insist on creating an enjoyable and positive work environment that energizes and fosters collaboration. While we take our work seriously, we also make room for moments of fun and celebration that bring us together and energize our sense of unity.
Gabriela Norton
Founder, President & CEO
Positivity | Achiever | Arranger | Responsibility | Input
Gabriela established PPR in 2010 with a vision to positively influence workplaces and elevate the employee experience. From securing PPR’s first client to today, she has remained unwavering in her commitment to delivering exceptional service. Under her leadership, PPR has grown exclusively through referrals — a testament to trust, excellence, and long-term partnership.
Gabriela has thoughtfully built a team of experts who complement her strengths, resulting in a well-rounded firm with deep capability across all facets of human resources. With high standards and a people-first philosophy, she leads PPR in partnering with clients to create excellent, sustainable workplaces.
Her areas of expertise include operational excellence, executive and board advisory, bilingual/bicultural leadership, CEO succession planning, human capital analysis, executive coaching, performance management redesign, executive compensation, DEIB&A, organizational development, strategic planning, change management, employment compliance, and executive search.
Gabriela is actively involved in causes supporting underserved communities, women, at-risk youth, and conservation efforts.
For fun, Gabriela is a foodie who loves traveling, running, snorkeling, and spending time with her family and her rescued dog, Harley.
Jazmin Kelly
M.S., SHRM-CP
Chief of Staff
Deliberative | Restorative | Harmony | Intellection | Input
With over seven years of HR experience, Jazmin blends psychology, behavioral science, and data analytics to drive PPR’s people-focused initiatives. Her work centers on organizational cohesiveness, talent planning, and cultural engagement. As a member of PPR’s executive team, she leads strategic and innovative internal efforts that strengthen alignment and performance.
Jazmin earned a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Psychology from Austin College. She is a SHRM Certified Professional and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.
For fun, Jazmin enjoys reading, quilting, knitting, and exploring new restaurants in Dallas and beyond.
Adam Norton
Chief Technology Officer
Strategic | Maximizer | Achiever | Futuristic | Adaptability
Adam brings more than 30 years of experience across the technology sector, with depth in project management, software development, and IT operations. As a member of the executive team, he oversees PPR’s creative and technical initiatives and contributes to organizational strategy and innovation.
Adam earned an Associate of Applied Arts in Computer Animation and Multimedia from The Art Institutes and completed certification in Full Stack Web Development from Southern Methodist University. He is proficient in 12 programming languages.
For fun, Adam is an avid scuba diver who loves traveling the world’s oceans with his wife.
Candace Anderson
M.A., SHRM-CP
Managing Consultant
Certified Diversity Practitioner
Maximizer | Positivity | Arranger | Relator | Strategic
Candace brings more than 10 years of HR experience across service, security, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. She focuses on talent optimization, executive placements, and organizational development, helping clients build strong teams and effective people structures.
Candace earned two Master of Arts degrees — Human Resource Management (Colorado State University) and Negotiation & Conflict Management (CSU Dominguez Hills) — along with a B.A. in English from Loyola Marymount University. She is a SHRM Certified Professional and a Certified Diversity Practitioner.
For fun, Candace enjoys traveling with her daughters and trying new adventures, including axe-throwing, cooking classes, and museum outings.
Hayley Tibbetts
Payroll Specialist
Harmony | Developer | Restorative | Achiever | Responsibility
Hayley has over a decade of experience supporting executives in administrative and financial functions, including six years in Accounts Receivable and the Executive Office at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dallas. Her focus areas include payroll administration, HR support, and CEO-level administrative coordination.
Hayley holds an Associate of Arts from Dallas College and is a SHRM Certified Professional.
For fun, Hayley enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, family, friends, and her adorable rescue cats.
Haley McCartney
Human Capital Coordinator
Learner | Responsibility | Developer | Strategic | Positivity
Haley brings more than three years of operations management experience and a strong background in customer service. She excels at improving systems, streamlining workflows, and applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills across HR operations.
Haley earned an Associate of Science degree from McHenry County College and is a SHRM Certified Professional.
Outside of work, Haley enjoys time with family and friends, running, baking, and getting lost in a good book.
Kanesha Matthews
Human Capital Consultant
Learner | Restorative | Belief | Developer | Achiever
Kanesha is a strategic and thoughtful HR leader with more than nine years of experience supporting multi-state organizations. She specializes in operational excellence, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and core HR program administration. Her partnership-driven approach strengthens organizational performance and employee experience.
Kanesha earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from California State University, Long Beach. She has also completed McKinsey & Company certifications in business strategy, resilience, adaptability, and problem solving.
For fun, Kanesha enjoys museums, concerts, outdoor exploration, and time with family and friends.
Karen Hester
JD, MA
Human Capital Consultant
Learner | Input | Responsibility | Relator | Intellection
With over 25 years of HR experience, Karen specializes in nonprofit organizations and brings deep expertise in compliance, employee relations, and policy development. She partners with leaders to design HR strategies that support engagement while ensuring alignment with evolving laws and best practices.
Karen earned a JD from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law; an MA in Communication from Arizona State University; and a BA in Organizational Communication from CSU Sacramento. Her multidisciplinary background enables her to deliver thoughtful, practical solutions to complex HR challenges.
In her spare time, Karen enjoys time outdoors with her husband and their labradoodle, Gracie; spending time with her children and their families; and traveling.
Lauren Lloyd
M.A.
Talent Acquisition Consultant
Empathy | Maximizer | Adaptability | Strategic | Input
Lauren brings over 10 years of experience across education, administrative services, and HR, including full-cycle recruiting, career planning, and employee relations. She focuses on strategic workforce planning and executive placements, helping organizations attract exceptional talent.
Lauren earned a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with an emphasis in HR Management from Touro University Worldwide and a B.A. in Human Services from the University of South Alabama. She is a Certified Professional Recruiter (CPR) with AIRS.
For fun, Lauren enjoys traveling with her husband, exercising, spending time with their dog, discovering new restaurants, and attending concerts and plays.
Luke Benson
MBA
Human Capital Consultant
Learner | Achiever | Arranger | Analytical | Self-Assurance
With more than 25 years of experience in military and civilian law enforcement, Luke brings expertise in team leadership, policy and procedure development, workforce safety, and emergency response planning. He focuses on risk and liability assessment, investigations, and root-cause analysis.
Luke earned an MBA from Baylor University and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas. He holds a Master Peace Officer license in Texas and is a Cognitive Interview Specialist.
For fun, Luke enjoys time with his wife, their four children, two mostly good dogs, and a cat.
Mercedes Contreras
Human Capital Consultant
Restorative | Connectedness | Achiever | Developer | Arranger
Mercedes brings more than 15 years of HR experience in retail and customer service environments across small and mid-sized companies. She specializes in employee benefits, compliance, and payroll management, helping organizations maintain strong and compliant operations.
Mercedes earned a B.B.A. in Organizational Behavior/Human Resources from the University of North Texas and previously held the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
For fun, Mercedes enjoys time with her husband, two children, and their dog Millie. She also loves Pilates, concerts, new restaurants, and trying new recipes.
Tracy Miller
PHR
Human Capital Consultant
Belief | Activator | Developer | Relator | Positivity
Tracy brings more than 20 years of HR experience across hospitality, nonprofit, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors. She has supported both small and large organizations and focuses on compliance, change management, and talent acquisition.
Tracy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Iowa State University and holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from HRCI.
For fun, Tracy enjoys time with her husband, their two adult sons, and their Labrador Retriever, Ally. She loves gardening, grilling, and going on walks with her family.