Tonya Sowles
Turn chaos into clarity: Practical people strategies that work.
If you want loyal employees, lower turnover, and teams that actually want to work hard for your business, you need practical people strategies — not corporate HR fluff.
That’s where I come in. Your audience will walk away with ready-to-use tools to attract, engage, and retain the right people — so they can stop fighting fires and start growing. Whether I’m speaking to business owners, managers, or HR leaders, I make sure every session is energetic, relatable, and packed with real-world tactics they can apply immediately.
I’m Tonya Sowles, founder of Sowles Consulting and a trusted partner for small businesses that want to build engaged, loyal teams. With over 20 years in business management and human resources, I’ve helped countless leaders transform workplace chaos into healthy, high-performing cultures.
What makes my talks different? They’re grounded in the daily realities of running a business — not just theory. I share stories, templates, and frameworks that empower leaders to:
- Hire smarter and faster
- Build buy-in and accountability
- Stop the revolving door of turnover
- Develop managers who inspire loyalty and performance
Most requested topics include:
- Performance Reviews Without the Pain: How to do check-ins right
- Hire Like a Pro: Smarter hiring for Business Success
- Psychological Safety: How trust boosts engagement and retention
- Level Up Your Leadership: Confidently Navigating Difficult Conversations and Conflict
I’m a Senior Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management plus an MBA. I’m also a Speak to Inspire Method™ Certified Speaker and Facilitator, ensuring every talk is clear, engaging, and packed with value.
Audiences say:
"Tonya brings HR down to earth and makes it feel doable."
"Practical. Relatable. Exactly what my managers needed."
"I walked away with real tools I can use today — not just ideas."
Past audiences include:
- Oregon SHRM Fall Conference
- Rogue Valley SHRM
- Women's Leadership Conference
- Oregon School Nutrition Association
- Southern Oregon Dental Society
- Yamhill County HR Association
When you bring me in to speak, your audience will leave inspired, equipped, and ready to take action — and your business will reap the rewards.
If you want loyal employees, lower turnover, and teams that actually want to work hard for your business, you need practical people strategies — not corporate HR fluff.
That’s where I come in. Your audience will walk away with ready-to-use tools to attract, engage, and retain the right people — so they can stop fighting fires and start growing. Whether I’m speaking to business owners, managers, or HR leaders, I make sure every session is energetic, relatable, and packed with real-world tactics they can apply immediately.
I’m Tonya Sowles, founder of Sowles Consulting and a trusted partner for small businesses that want to build engaged, loyal teams. With over 20 years in business management and human resources, I’ve helped countless leaders transform workplace chaos into healthy, high-performing cultures.
What makes my talks different? They’re grounded in the daily realities of running a business — not just theory. I share stories, templates, and frameworks that empower leaders to:
- Hire smarter and faster
- Build buy-in and accountability
- Stop the revolving door of turnover
- Develop managers who inspire loyalty and performance
Most requested topics include:
- Performance Reviews Without the Pain: How to do check-ins right
- Hire Like a Pro: Smarter hiring for Business Success
- Psychological Safety: How trust boosts engagement and retention
- Level Up Your Leadership: Confidently Navigating Difficult Conversations and Conflict
I’m a Senior Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management plus an MBA. I’m also a Speak to Inspire Method™ Certified Speaker and Facilitator, ensuring every talk is clear, engaging, and packed with value.
Audiences say:
"Tonya brings HR down to earth and makes it feel doable."
"Practical. Relatable. Exactly what my managers needed."
"I walked away with real tools I can use today — not just ideas."
Past audiences include:
- Oregon SHRM Fall Conference
- Rogue Valley SHRM
- Women's Leadership Conference
- Oregon School Nutrition Association
- Southern Oregon Dental Society
- Yamhill County HR Association
When you bring me in to speak, your audience will leave inspired, equipped, and ready to take action — and your business will reap the rewards.
HR that Means Business: Aligning People, Strategy, and Profit
“HR doesn’t generate revenue.” We’ve all heard it—and it’s time to challenge that mindset.
While HR may not directly sell products or services, it plays a critical role in driving organizational success, supporting sustainable growth, and maximizing profitability. To earn and keep a seat at the table, HR professionals must understand the business side of operations and learn how to connect HR strategies to financial outcomes and organizational goals.
Level Up Your Leadership: Confidently Navigating Difficult Conversations and Conflict
In today’s workplace, the ability to handle conflict and navigate difficult conversations is essential for effective leadership. This session will equip you with practical tools to address challenging situations head-on, build trust, and create a culture of open communication. You’ll learn how to identify early signs of conflict, set clear expectations, and foster psychological safety within your team. With these skills, you’ll be ready to lead confidently, turning potential conflicts into...
Psychological Safety: Magic or Mumbo Jumbo?
In today's rapidly evolving workplaces, psychological safety has emerged as a critical factor in team success and individual well-being. But is it truly magic, or just another buzzword? In this engaging workshop, participants will delve into the concept of psychological safety, exploring its significance, levels, creation strategies, and potential pitfalls. Attendees will gain actionable insights to foster a
culture of psychological safety within their teams and...
Becoming an Employer of Choice
One of the most challenging aspects of running any business is finding and keeping quality employees. In the current labor market, that challenge is magnified. Wouldn’t it be a relief to know you could attract and retain employees without having to constantly try to compete on wages alone?
Becoming an Employer of Choice allows a company to maximize employee engagement, retention, recruitment, and profitability. During this presentation we will be discussing...
The Power of People: Influence, Persuasion, and Impact in Leadership
Successful leadership goes beyond titles and technical expertise—it’s about the ability to influence others, persuade with purpose, and create lasting impact. In this engaging and interactive session, HR professionals and organizational leaders will explore how to harness the psychology of influence to inspire action, foster collaboration, and lead more effectively.
Learn how to communicate in ways that resonate, gain buy-in across all levels of your organization, and cultivate a...
Lead Like a Pro: How to Become an Effective Leader and Build a Winning Team
Lead Like a Pro is an essential guide for anyone looking to become an effective manager and build a winning team. The program offers practical tips and advice on how to manage people and lead with professionalism.
The first part of the program focuses on manager training, providing insights into the core skills that every great manager should possess. From effective communication and delegation to motivating your team and managing time, this section covers everything a people...
Miembro de
