Sona Koottaveettil

HR Consultant and Diversity Specialist

Soona Koottaveettil is an experienced technical recruiting manager and serves as a Human Resource Consultant with Premier HR Solutions. She is a human resource scholar in diversity and inclusion research and has designed and delivered instructional classes to postgraduate students in human resource management practices. Sona is knowledgeable in human resource compliance and is highly proficient writing and developing human capital policy and best practices. She has a Ph.D. in Human Resource Management from SNDT Women’s University and earned the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.

Karolyn Knaack

Legal Counsel

Karolyn Knaack, is an experienced Austin, TX attorney with more than 20 years of experience providing legal advice to public and privately-held companies. She holds an MBA from the University of Iowa and received her J.D. Law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. As a lawyer with an MBA, she understands the financial side of business. That knowledge helps her provide her clients with the best legal counsel to help them manage their legal and business risks. The Karolyn A. Knaack, P.C. Firm opened in January 2014 with a focus on assisting clients with various types of legal concerns including those related to corporate structure, commercial contracts, intellectual property, employment issues and avoiding litigation matters. She has also directed, managed and negotiated complex business transactions including private equity financings, mergers and acquisitions and public offerings. Prior to her legal career, Ms. Knaack was a commercial lending officer with Bank of America in Houston, TX.

Delia Parras

Senior HR Consultant 

Senior Human Resources Consultant, Delia Parras is an experienced, accomplished expert in all facets of human resources with an extensive and proven track record of success throughout a 20+ year career as a guiding force delivering strong organizational results. She is a skilled employee relations consultant interacting with all levels of employees, leadership, and executives. Her strong expertise includes Organizational Change Management, Workforce and Succession Planning, Training and Engagement, Talent Management, Performance Management, Investigations, Employment Laws and Regulations, and Leadership Development and Coaching. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has earned certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Certificate of ADA Administration. Knowledgeable and efficient in multiple Human Resources Management Systems (HRIS).

Sharon Ely

Senior Consultant and Compliance Expert 

Sharon Ely, Premier HR Solutions Senior Consultant, has 20 years of HR consulting, leadership, and generalist experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in HR Management and has earned certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). As a Human Resources architect, she has experience in building customized HR programs while taking companies to the next level. She has spent the last four years as a director-level human resource consultant working for multiple small and mid-sized companies is a results-driven professional. Her work is characterized by her creative, innovative and versatile approach to building organizational infrastructures in dynamic environments. Her demonstrated experience includes Employment Law and Risk Management, Organizational Development, HR Management, Talent Management, Engagement, Documentation, and Compensation. Sharon is an effective communicator with a proven track record resulting in win-win business partnerships.

Emily Fisk

Marketing Strategist

Emily is a digital marketing strategist and writer with an extensive background in creating marketing plans to fit a company’s goals. She gets a kick out bringing an organization’s story alive and watching a business succeed.

Emily is a HubSpot certified Inbound Marketing strategist and holds a degree in writing from Boise State University. Over her career, she has worked with nearly every kind of business from technology companies to veterinary clinics, which means she can write on just about any topic. She enjoys finding new ways to improve a client’s online presence and better connect with their ideal customer.

When she’s not working, Emily loves digging into a good book, cooking a delicious meal, and getting outside with her two daughters and husband. She lives in beautiful Boise, Idaho and is a founding member of a (totally cool, not at all nerdy) writing group.

Scholley Bubenik

CEO and Founder 

Scholley Bubenik, founder and CEO of Premier HR Solutions, has over twenty-five years of experience in human resources and recruiting. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and author, Scholley has been instrumental in the success and mentorship of countless businesses. Her book, People Power: An Entrepreneur’s Guide for Managing Human Capital, was published in 2018. 

Scholley began managing people at the age of twenty-four when she opened her own business, and quickly recognized the hurdles entrepreneurs face regarding people management. She founded Premier HR Solutions as a way to share her knowledge and experience with other business owners. Scholley is adept at helping companies establish human resource departments and has proven success in managing payroll, benefits, employee development, recruiting, compensation and employee relations. As an entrepreneur herself, Scholley has a unique insight into the demands of small- and medium-sized businesses and can create customized plans to bring companies to the next level. 

Scholley holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Texas and a PHR Certification.

Kristen Parrent

Vice President of Recruiting 

Kristen Parrent, Vice President of Recruiting, is a skilled strategic recruiter who utilizes the latest technology to provide the most efficient method for locating top talent from various media platforms. Kristen assisted with the creation of Premier’s “Right Source Method,” is a unique recruitment process with proven success hiring candidates in a short time with exceptional results. Kristen understands how to appeal and attract young talent for our clients, and has insight into how to recruit Millennials and older generations alike. Kristen has her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University and has earned her HR Certification, SHRM-CP. She blogs frequently on trending HR practices and entrepreneurship.

Alik Mock

Operations Strategist

Alik Mock is an entrepreneurially-minded business technologist and specializes in operations. He previously worked for Apple and worked across multiple industries from biotech to drones. Alik’s passion is lowering the barrier of entry to starting and operating a business. When not working usually can find him eat breakfast tacos, going out to the lake, or catching up with friends in downtown Austin.