Guided by HR and Business Leaders
Our Advisory Board for the BS-HRM Program
Rick Badgley
Chief Human Resources Officer
Ashford Remington
Bio:
Rick Badgley joined Remington Hospitality in 2023 as the Chief Human Resources Officer and currently leads the People & Culture, HR Systems, Benefits, and Corporate Communications teams for Remington and the Ashford Group of Companies.
Prior to joining Remington, Badgley held several key leadership positions with an impressive portfolio of companies, including serving as the Executive Vice President, Chief People, and Chief Administrative Officer at Brinker International, Vice President of Retail & Talent at TOMS shoes, Vice President of Global Learning & Talent Acquisition at Starbucks, and Senior Vice President at Wyndham Worldwide.
Badgley brings extensive hospitality and human resources experience to Remington. Beginning his hospitality journey in 1992 as General Manager at the Valley Inn & Conference Center in Waterville Valley, Rick’s background makes him uniquely equipped to deliver an exceptional and differentiated people experience.
Awards & Expereince:
- Remington Hospitality Executive Leadership Committee member
- Johnson & Wales Advisory Council member
- Executive member of the management team at Brinker International
- Master’s & bachelor’s degrees from Johnson & Wales University
- Johnson & Wales University fellowship & management development program
Steve Cunningham
Chief People Officer
TDIndustries
Bio:
As Chief of People, Steve oversees HR, Total Rewards, Safety, Training and Development, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, Communications, and Legal functions. He leads efforts that reinforce TDIndustries’ culture and core values while ensuring a deep commitment to our customers and the safety of all while enabling career growth in an inclusive environment. His business acumen and sound judgment foster creative and thoughtful solutions for employees and customers.
Since joining TD in 2019, Steve has brought a diverse depth of domestic and international experience. He has successfully driven talent strategies at multiple companies and introduced and executed HR programs and policies that benefit the organization and its employees. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Creighton University and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Leann Day
VP of Human Resources
Aimbridge Hospitality
Bio:
Leann has built a 15+ year career in Human Resources, working across a variety of industries including Financial Services, Life Sciences Consulting, Real Estate, Restaurant, Retail, and Hospitality. She has experience in Fortune 500 companies, publicly traded corporations, private family-owned businesses, mid-sized firms, and start-ups, within companies such as Whataburger, Kemper Insurance, EDS, and Tandy Leather.
Leann is a strategic HR leader known for being a trusted advisor, sounding board, and “thought challenger” to operational leadership. Her priority is understanding the business first to align HR functions with key objectives, allowing her to design and implement innovative HR strategies that drive organizational performance, talent development, and operational efficiency. She is committed to ensuring HR is recognized as a strategic business partner with a “seat at the table.”
Passionate about company culture, Leann considers herself a “culture fanatic,” believing that HR plays a crucial role in fostering engagement, productivity, and inclusivity through everyday actions. She understands that company culture is built by every individual within an organization and is not merely defined by words on paper.
On the administrative side of HR, Leann values efficiency, meaningful compensation programs tied to business results, and impactful health and wellness initiatives. Notably, she established the Tandy Leather Employee Foundation, a 501(c)(3) providing financial assistance to employees facing hardships.
Throughout her career, Leann has built high-performing HR teams and leadership development programs while continuously learning from others and sharing her expertise. She has contributed to the HR profession as a DE&I panelist, podcast speaker, DallasHR education committee member, and HR Southwest conference volunteer.
Leann holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University and has been certified as an SPHR and SHRM-SCP professional since 2009.
Samantha Dwinell
Human Capital Operating Partner
Blue Wolf Capital
Bio:
Sam is an accomplished global human resources leader with demonstrated success delivering business results across private and public organizations in diverse industries. Over the past two decades, she has become a trusted business partner and member of the senior leadership team, driving significant changes and delivering innovative solutions to transform organizations. As a recognized leader, Sam received OnCon’s Top 50 CHRO Award in 2023.
Sam currently serves as Human Capital Operating Partner for Blue Wolf Capital—a mid-sized private equity firm—where she specializes in building strong leadership teams, stewarding performance-driven cultures, and strengthening HR practices across the entire portfolio of Blue Wolf companies. Previously, Sam served as interim Chief People Officer for Stream Realty Partners—a national commercial real estate firm—and Chief People Officer for Sevita—a $2B PE-owned healthcare provider. At Sevita, Sam significantly improved employee engagement and enhanced recruiting efficiency by refreshing the company’s values and restructuring the talent acquisition function. She also established repeatable M&A processes that enabled the company to successfully integrate over two dozen acquisitions.
Prior to Sevita, Sam spent almost 20 years with Texas Instruments—a publicly-traded global semiconductor company—culminating as the Vice President of Talent Management. She was instrumental in creating an enterprise-wide talent review process and establishing TI’s first people analytics function, which leveraged HR data and analytics to improve key business outcomes. Sam also designed a high-potential talent development program that won a Brandon Hall Award for Best Results of a Learning Program.
Throughout her career, Sam has been a passionate champion for diversity and inclusion. At Sevita, she launched the company’s first diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives, which were recognized for three consecutive years by Forbes magazine. At TI, she transformed the diversity office into a key partner inside the talent management team, leading to a more inclusive company culture and increasing the representation of women in senior leadership roles.
Sam earned a master’s degree in Management and Organization Behavior from Benedictine University and a master’s degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois. She is actively involved in multiple boards and industry organizations, including the Industrial Advisory Council at UT-Dallas’s Jindal School of Management, the Board and Investment Committee for the Texas Women’s Foundation, the Miami University Economics Advisory Board, and previously on the Catalyst, Inc. Board of Advisors.
Lyndsay Lord
Chief Human Resources Officer
DECA Dental Group
Bio:
Lyndsay joined DECA Dental Group in 2021 with vast leadership experience with global brands including Hilti, Pepsi, Arrow Electronics, CoreLogic and Sabre. Before joining DECA Dental Group, Lyndsay served as CHRO for Jiffy Lube. Given her passion for building high-performing, values-based cultures, she was drawn to DECA Dental Group. Lyndsay considers herself a modern HR practitioner with a focus on enabling team members to thrive and do their best work.
When she’s not working, Lyndsay enjoys spending time with family. She also enjoys traveling, live music and fitness.
Lyndsay graduated from the University of Tulsa with her Bachelor of Science in business administration where she lettered as a division 1A cheerleader. She earned a Master’s in Human Resources from the University of Oklahoma, graduating cum laude.
Holly Novak
Chief People Officer
Jack Henry
Bio:
Holly Novak is an experienced and accomplished human resources professional with a proven track record of success in various HR roles. She is currently the Chief People Officer at Jack Henry in the tech industry, where she is responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization.
Holly has a strong background in all aspects of human resources, including talent management, change management, Executive Compensation, coaching, organizational and performance management, training and development, and total rewards.
Novak is a strategic thinker with a passion for developing and implementing innovative HR solutions that drive business results. She is also a strong communicator and collaborator with a proven ability to build relationships with key stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
Holly holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA from Texas Tech University. She engages with the Society for Human Resource Management on state & national levels.
Residing in North Texas, Holly enjoys time with her husband Todd and their daughters, Rylie and Teagan.
Keith Pearson
Chairman
Pearson International
Bio:
As founding partner, chief executive officer and chairman of Pearson Partners International, Keith Pearson manages the firm’s strategic direction and operation. He specializes in securing C-Suite leaders for Fortune 1000 and private equity portfolio companies. Keith’s commitment to flexible, responsive client service has set the companywide standard of excellence that is Pearson Partners’ hallmark. His deep knowledge of the CEO, financial officer and private equity leadership roles has made him an invaluable partner to his clients, whose repeat business is a testament to his unique ability to understand business needs, develop creative solutions and quickly source top talent for the executive suite.
Keith and Bob Pearson launched Pearson Partners International in 2002 as an executive search firm initially serving the leveraged buyout community and have since led the company through twenty years of growth and diversification. Today, Pearson Partners is a global, full-service executive search and leadership consulting firm serving businesses across a broad range of industries while offering a full complement of professional development and coaching services.
Before founding Pearson Partners International, Keith was a managing director with Whitehouse & Pimms in the consulting and technology sectors and with TMP Worldwide Executive Search as a principal in the professional services practice. He began his executive search career as a search consultant with Merritt, Hawkins and Associates.
Keith serves as the Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Naveen Jindal School of Management, an Ex Officio Member of the Executive Board, and as a member of the Human Resource Management advisory board at UT Dallas. He is a member and previous chairman of the board of trustees of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, North Texas Chapter, where he is a longtime member of its Team in Training. Previously, he served in an advisory capacity on the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) Council of the Americas. Keith earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from The University of North Texas and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Dallas. He is an avid runner and cyclist who enjoys competing in ultrathons and off-road races as well as traveling with his wife Stephanie and their three children.
Celi Quintero
Chief People Officer
Elevate Entertainment
Bio:
With nearly two decades of experience in human resources, people leadership, and cultural development, Celi Quintero is a passionate advocate for creating thriving workplaces. As a member of the University of Texas Dallas Human Resources Advisory Council, she brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive and high-performing organizations.
Celi’s journey to C-suite leadership was anything but conventional. She began her career as a stylist, where she spent countless hours building connections, listening to clients’ stories, and offering guidance—an experience that ignited her passion for people and ultimately led to a career in HR. With a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix, she quickly ascended through strategic HR roles across industries including commercial construction, retail, and hospitality.
Today, as Chief Human Resources Officer at Es Vedra Cinemas, Celi is at the forefront of shaping a people-first culture within a dynamic entertainment company. She plays a key role in driving organizational growth, employee engagement, and operational excellence, ensuring that the company’s workforce remains its greatest asset.
Celi’s leadership philosophy is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and a relentless drive to empower individuals and teams. She is honored to serve on the advisory board, where she shares her insights and experiences to help shape the future of HR leadership.
Mario Stresow, PhD
SVP of Human Resources
Triumph Financial
Bio:
Mario serves as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Triumph Financial, where he advises key executives, including the Chief Revenue Officer and Presidents of Insurance Services and Factoring. His leadership has been instrumental in facilitating a strategic priority process that shaped a new organizational vision and reinvigorated a customer-centric culture. Mario also implemented performance and reward structures that led to significant increases in employee retention and organizational performance.
Previously, Mario was Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer at GuideStone Financial Resources, where he directed HR functions and corporate strategic planning. He developed a five-year strategic plan informed by competitive assessments and stakeholder input, implemented executive succession planning, and achieved a historic 87% Gallup employee engagement score.
Mario’s career spans high-tech, financial services, and advertising industries, working with front-line employees to C-suite executives. His work includes designing an intercultural curriculum at Texas Instruments, creating high-potential development programs for future executives at Dell Inc., and coaching leaders in vision-setting and strategic planning.
Mario holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University, a Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Change Management from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Texas at El Paso. He has been a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation.
Mario’s commitment to education and community service includes serving as a Trustee for the Baptist University of the Americas, Education Chair for the DFW Prospanica Board, and a mentor with Menttium. His experience in leadership development and organizational transformation, combined with a collaborative approach, equips him to make meaningful contributions to institutional governance and student success.
Kyle Weaver, JD
Assistant General Counsel
Transportation Resource Management
Bio:
Kyle Weaver serves as Assistant General Counsel at Transportation Resource Management in Ft. Worth, Texas. Kyle actively manages the Company’s Human Resources Department and the Company’s litigation portfolio. He also assists with insurance procurement, risk mitigation strategy, and enjoys counseling internal stakeholders on a wide range of legal and business matters.
Before joining TRM, Kyle served as Shareholder in a southeast regional law firm where his practice focused on transportation litigation and transportation consulting. He tried several cases to favorable verdicts and obtained several first-of-their kind Daubert orders excluding key expert witness testimony while in practice. Kyle was selected twice as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Transportation Law. Kyle presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Trucking Association and serves as a member of American Transportation Research Institute’s Research Advisory Committee for 2025-2026. He has been published on various topics and is an emerging speaker on civil litigation and the transportation industry.
Kyle earned his Bachelor of Science in finance and human resource management from Florida State University, where he was a member of the FSU Marching Chiefs and the Seminole Sound Pep Band. He earned his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University (AL). He is admitted to the practice law in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. While in law school, Kyle was editor-in-chief of the Cumberland Law Review, received the William J. Peeler Advanced Trial Advocacy Award and was selected by the faculty to serve as a Judge Abraham Caruthers Teaching Fellow.
Student Testimonials
Shriya Bahri, BS’20
Senior HR Assistant, Amazon
During my time here, there has been no dearth of opportunities to network, learn and participate in the Dallas HR space.
Paige Tellez, BS’20
BS in Human Resource Management Student
The BS in Human Resource Management program provided me with a wide variety of classes taught by professors who are experienced in the field
Haylee Keisler, BS’20
Employment Screening Coordinator Intern, Southwest Airlines Human Resources – Compliance Intern, Southwest Airlines
The UT Dallas BS in Human Resource Management degree program has provided me with a foundation to start my dream career in human resources.
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