About Vanessa

Vanessa G. Nelson prevents $250,000 employment law disasters before they happen.

As Founder and President of Expert Human Resources—a 100% virtual HR consulting firm—Vanessa has spent 16+ years protecting ambitious CEOs across the United States from the compliance catastrophes that destroy companies, drain budgets, and derail growth.

After witnessing brilliant business leaders lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to preventable HR missteps—FLSA misclassifications costing $300K, EEOC charges reaching $150K, DOL audits resulting in $500K penalties—Vanessa launched Expert Human Resources with one non-negotiable mission: Eliminate compliance exposure before it costs you everything.

From Michigan to Oregon, from California to Pennsylvania, she serves as the trusted HR strategist for CEOs who refuse to let employment law become their Achilles’ heel. Because when you’re building something significant, you can’t afford preventable disasters.

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HOW VANESSA ELIMINATES YOUR HR RISKS

Vanessa works with CEOs who refuse to let employment law derail their growth trajectory. Her comprehensive approach eliminates compliance exposure while building HR infrastructure that scales with your ambition.

The Three-Phase Transformation:

PHASE 1: EXPOSE THE HIDDEN THREATS

Most CEOs don’t know they’re sitting on $250,000+ in compliance exposure until it’s too late. Vanessa conducts comprehensive compliance audits that quantify your exact risk across:

• FLSA misclassification vulnerabilities ($100K-$500K exposure).
• I-9 violations that trigger DOL audits ($200K-$1M penalties).
• Michigan Earned Sick Time Act gaps ($50K-$200K liability).
• Harassment and discrimination policy failures ($150K-$500K per claim).
• Wage and hour landmines in every paycheck.

Result: You know exactly where you’re vulnerable—and what it could cost if left unfixed.

PHASE 2: ELIMINATE THE EXPOSURE

Once the threats are identified, Vanessa systematically eliminates them through:

• Bulletproof employee handbooks that can prevent lawsuits before they start.
• FLSA ADA-compliant job descriptions and classification structures.
• Professional workplace investigations that can withstand legal scrutiny.
• Manager training that can transform liability into leadership.
• HR systems and processes that can scale with growth.

Result: Your compliance exposure drops to near-zero. You sleep better.

PHASE 3: BUILD COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

With compliance handled, Vanessa helps ambitious CEOs turn HR from cost center to competitive weapon:

• High-performing team structures that can attract and retain top talent.
• Workplace culture that can drive productivity and reduces turnover.
• Compensation strategies that can maximize ROI on every payroll dollar.
• HR infrastructure that can support 2x-5x growth without breaking.

Result: While your competitors scramble to contain HR crises, you focus on dominating your market.

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PROVEN TRACK RECORD

Since founding Expert Human Resources in 2009, Vanessa has eliminated over $10 million in compliance exposure for organizations ranging from 20 to 5000+ employees. Her 16+ years as a consultant—combined with senior HR leadership experience at two major Michigan corporations—gives her the rare ability to think strategically like an executive while executing tactically like a specialist.

What elite CEOs get when they work with Vanessa:

✅ $10M+ in compliance exposure eliminated across 50+ client engagements.
✅ Zero employment lawsuits for clients under active HR guidance.
✅ Client satisfaction across manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, and public sector.
✅ Multi-state expertise from Michigan to California, serving clients coast-to-coast.
✅ Rapid response capability through 100% virtual practice model.

Organizations that trust Vanessa include:

McDonald’s Corporation • Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority • Henry Ford College • Mass Transportation Authority • Genesee County 911 • Major manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services firms (under NDA)

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In Her Spare Time

When she’s not helping organizations thrive, Vanessa enjoys serving her community, taking quick getaways in her Cadillac, and writing books. She is the author of “101 Costly HR Mistakes” and is currently working on a new novel.

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Education and Certifications

• Master of Science in Administration/Human Resources Management from Central Michigan University, and
• Bachelor in Business Management from Northwood University.
• Certified Labor Relations Leader (CLRL)
• Certified EEO Contract Investigator for the National Equal Employment Opportunity Investigative Services Offices (NEEOISO)

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Professional Affiliations

• President of Elite HR Professionals Association (SHRM Affiliated)
• Advocacy Captain  for the 5th Congressional District, appointed by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) (2013)
• President & Member of Flint and Genesee Chamber Women’s Leadership Committee (2013 – 2015)
• President & Member of Mott Community College Alumni Board (2013-2014)
• Member of Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
• Benefits Partner of Saginaw Chamber of Commerce (2014 – 2016)
• Benefits Partner of Birch Run Chamber of Commerce (2015 – 2016)
• Committee Member of Ennis Center for Children, Foster Care and Adoption Center (2015 – Present)
• EEO Contract Investigator for the NEEOISO

Result: Your compliance exposure drops to near-zero. You sleep better.

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Instructor/Speaker/Trainer, including:

• Valley Society of Human Resource Management (VSHRM) Speaker – Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes –September 2018
• Birmingham Rotary – Speaker – Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes – March 2018
• Saginaw Valley State University – Speaker –Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes – February 2018
• Michigan Green Industry Association (MGIA) – Speaker: Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes – December 2017
• Flint Sunrise Rotary Club – Speaker: Top 10 Costly HR Mistakes – September 2017
• Rotary Club of Flushing, Michigan – Speaker: Top 10 Costly HR Mistakes – August 2017
• Fenton Rotary Club – Speaker: Top 10 Costly HR Mistakes – August 2017
• Grand Blanc Rotary Club– Speaker: Top 10 Costly HR Mistakes – July 2017
• Flint Rotary Club – Speaker: Top 10 Costly HR Mistakes – July 2017
• Baker College – Speaker: Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes – May 2017
• Michigan HR Day, Speaker: Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes…and How to Fix Them! 
• Baker College, Speaker: Top 15 Costly HR Mistakes…and How to Fix Them! (2017)
• Walsh College, Speaker: Top 15 COSTLY HR Mistakes…and How to Fix Them! 
• Small Business Administration Outreach Tour (Speaker for two (2) Breakout Sessions)
• Saginaw Chamber of Commerce (Speaker: Big Strategies for Small Business, Topic: Human Resources and the Law
• Michigan Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds 2014 Convention and Trade Show, Speaker: Human Resources: What Every Employer Should Know
• Birch Run Chamber of Commerce, Speaker: Affordable Care Act Made Simple and HR and the Law
• Michigan Back to Work Career Fair, Speaker: Writing Amazing Resumes
• Compliance Trainings, Instructor/Trainer
• Avant Resources, Instructor/Trainer
• National Associate of RV Parks and Campgrounds Annual Conference, Speaker: Affordable Care Act and HR and the Law
• Mott Community College, Protecting Your Business Panelist and Speaker: “HR and the Law”