Our People

Board of Directors

Andre T. Allen

Chair, MBA, GPHR

Andre Allen has over 30 years of continuous experience in the assessment industry. Andre began his career in assessment in 1989 with Reid Psychological Systems, a founding Member of the Association of Test Publishers. Over the past three decades, Andre has been responsible for the conceptualization and development of large-scale systems and technologies that served the HR community through the secure administration and scoring of assessments. During the late 80’s and early 90’s Andre pioneered many of the technologies that are the basis for many of the assessment delivery and scoring options for today including launching some of the first internet-based assessments. In 2002, Andre participated in the creation of the assessment technologies used in the launch of the Transportation Security Administration. Overall, Andre’s track record is that of creating, secure, stable and scalable architectures for the timely delivery and accurate scoring of assessments. Andre is an owner and executive vice president of FifthTheory, LLC which provides assessments, organizational surveys and talent management solutions to multiple industries. Andre holds a BS in Information Technology with a concentration in project management, and an MBA with a concentration in information technology management from Capella University. In addition to his position as Chair of the HRCI Board of Directors, Andre is the past chair, and current secretary of the Association of Test Publishers. Allen is an owner and executive vice president of FifthTheory, LLC which provides assessments, organizational surveys and talent management solutions to multiple industries. Allen holds a BS in Information Technology with a concentration in project management, and an MBA with a concentration in information technology management from Capella University. In addition to his position on the HRCI Board of Directors, Allen is the past chair, and current secretary of the Association of Test Publishers.

Kathy Claytor

Kathy Claytor

Vice Chair, SPHR, GPHR

Kathy Claytor leads the Human Resources function at the holding company level for Delta Dental of Virginia and other subsidiaries. Delta Dental is a market-leading dental insurer, bridging the gap between emerging technology and oral health industries. Focused on promoting oral health, Delta Dental believes that everyone deserves a healthy smile. Kathy has been in her current role as a strategic leader of the human resources, change management and facilities departments for more than ten years. Prior to this role, she led human resources for Roanoke County and HR roles at Brunswick Corporation. Kathy currently serves on the board of directors for the region’s Strategic Alliance for Innovation, Technology and Business Acceleration and is a member of Women Corporate Directors and the Roanoke Women’s Foundation. Prior board roles include Girl Scouts Skyline Council and Jobs for Virginia Graduates. Kathy’s global work includes serving on the board for an India-based software company and as an advisory council member with the New Delhi Institute of Management. She is a frequent speaker at the World HRD Congress in Mumbai, India where she was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Global HR Leaders in Asia. She was featured in People Matters magazine, India’s most widely-distributed human resources publication, and has been a participant in executive human resources delegations to India, China, South Africa and Cuba. Kathy is also a volunteer for the Aasha Foundation, which supports a shelter for girls and young women in Mumbai, India. Kathy holds a Master’s of Administration in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor’s in Business and Economics from Emory and Henry College. She completed Harvard Executive Education courses from Harvard Business School. She holds several HR certifications: Global Professional in Human Resources, GPHR, Senior Professional in Human Resources, SPHR, and the SHRM-SCP.

Gardiner Hempel, Jr.

Secretary/Treasurer, CPA, GPHR

Gardiner Hempel Jr. is a Retired Partner of Deloitte LLP. He most recently served in the Global Employer Services (GES) practice of Deloitte Tax LLP. Over his 38 years of experience in global mobility and international compensation, he has lived and worked in Germany, Hong Kong and Japan. At Deloitte, he was a leadership member of Deloitte initiatives for both talent and global mobility transformation and was a member of the Global Management Group. Hempel has been a long-time volunteer leader of the Institute, having served on the Board since 2008, and as Board Chair in 2011-2012, 2017-2018 and Secretary/Treasurer in 2019 to the present. Hempel has previously served as Director on the SHRM Global Forum Board of Directors from 1999-2003, and as President in 2001 and 2002. He was a member of the International Tax Force and the Steering Committee for the new Global Professional in Human Resources® (GPHR®) certification. He served on the faculty for the International HR Management Certificate Program and the GPHR Certification Preparation Course. He has been a frequent speaker on international tax, compensation and HR issues for organizations such as NFTC, WorldatWork, IBIS, Western International Personnel Association, Wall Street Tax Association, American Association of Advertising Agencies, Human Resource Association of Chicago, Worldwide ERC and the Global Business Association, among others. He is the President of the Tuxedo Park, New York Fire Department, serves on the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Tuxedo Joint Fire District and as Fire Marshal for the Village of Tuxedo Park. He is also a Trustee and Treasurer for the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Memorial as well as Director and Treasurer for the Citizens’ Association of Palm Beach. He is a past member of the IRS Commissioner’s Advisory Group and is a certified instructor of “Elements of Expatriate Compensation” and “Global Compensation: Strategy in Practice” courses at WorldatWork. Hempel also has served on the Global Advisory Council for Worldwide ERC. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned a B.S. degree in business administration. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) in California, New York and New Jersey and is GPHR-certified.

Janet Hanofee

Janet Hanofee

Governance Committee Chair, SPHR

Janet Hanofee is the Chief Human Resources Officer at ITC Federal, she is recognized as a results-driven, dynamic hands-on executive with broad experience in all areas of HR. Janet has an accomplished career in the government contracting industry and the technology sector. She is a popular speaker on M&A and culture transformation as well as creative technology talent solutions. Prior to her current role, Janet held HR leadership titles at several companies, including Harbor Enterprises, Jacobs, The Tatitlek Corporation, Chenega Corporation, SOS International LLC and Torch.AI. She has led several large commercial acquisitions during her career and stood up dozens of large government contracts to include NASA space centers. A passionate and dedicated member of the HR community, Janet started her work with HRCI as an item writer over fifteen years ago before joining the board of directors in 2021. She has also served on the boards of Teatis, Torch.AI and StratGroup America.

Amy

Dr. Amy S. Dufrane

Chief Executive Officer, SPHR, CAE

Dr. Amy Dufrane’s vision has created an innovative learning organization to meet new career, business and workforce demands. Before joining HRCI®, Dufrane has spent many years as an innovator of human capital strategies for progressive organizations and in higher education teaching the leaders of tomorrow. She also serves on the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, is a member of the Economic Club, CEO Roundtable and on the Board for the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. Dufrane holds a doctorate from The George Washington University, an MBA and MA from Marymount University and a BS from Hood College. She is certified by HRCI as a Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®). She also has a Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives, The Center for Association Leadership. Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, is CEO of HRCI® — HR Certification Institute and the founder and CEO of HRSI — HR Standards Institute; these two organizations are the world’s premier certifying and learning organizations for the human resources profession. In this role, Dr. Dufrane guides the enterprise as it helps companies, and their employees, navigate the demands of the modern-day workplace through learning and training programs aligned with the highest international standards for the human resources profession. Prior to joining HRCI in 2011, Dr. Dufrane spent two decades working as a human resources executive in the public, regulatory, private and education sectors. She is the co-founder and creator of the Alchemizing HR webinar and summit series, the co-author of the book Alchemizing HR: Your Formula for the New Era and the facilitator, author and motivator behind The Rise of HR: The Future of Work with 73 HR thought leaders, including Dave Ulrich. Dr. Dufrane holds a doctorate from The George Washington University as well as a Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) certification from HRCI and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the ASAE. An accomplished business leader and celebrated industry voice, Dr. Dufrane is a frequent public speaker, appearing on global stages and in popular publications.

Franz Gilbert

Franz Gilbert

Board Member, GPHR

Franz Gilbert is the Vice President of Solution Provider Programs and leads Deloitte Human Capital’s various programs that serve the Provider community. These programs range from the sensing and scanning group that tracks thousands of HR technology firms, Deloitte Provider Day, Bersin Solution Provider Programs, HR technology vendor learning series, and much more. Whether it is Deloitte consulting trying to identify new partners, corporate clients trying to keep up on the ecosystem or Solution Providers wanting advisory services on corporate, product or sales strategy – one of Franz’s teams is likely involved! Franz has held a progressive number of executive roles in Human Resources and Technology roles in Fortune 500 organizations, HR Technology firms and HR Service Providers. He considers himself to be incredibly lucky to be in a role at Deloitte that capitalizes on both his technical and his HR background and most importantly – his passion for leading teams focused on innovation. On the HR Front, Franz has been able to achieve his Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR®) Certification from HRCI® and was one of the founding members of the ISO HR Standards committee. He has served on many advisory committees for HR provider firms and HR member associations. On the personal front, Franz has been married to Ashley Gilbert for over 24 years, and they have one son who is a Junior in college.

Kenneth Lee

Board Member

As Chief Financial Officer of Southern New Hampshire University, Ken Lee oversees finance and accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, internal controls, procurement, capital projects and facilities management functions. Ken previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay from 2015 until 2018, where he oversaw finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, facilities and procurement. Ken was the Vice President of Global Business Services and Transformation at Avery Dennison from 2011 until 2015, where he led transformation efforts across finance, human resources, information technology and procurement. He was a Partner at A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, from 1994 to 2011, specializing in organizational and functional transformation and effectiveness. Earlier in his career, Ken held finance and marketing positions with PepsiCo and Dow Corning. Ken holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Ken serves on the Board of Trustees for the Urban College of Boston. Previously he has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Food Bank as well as the Board of Directors for American Red Cross and Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Michigan.

Nancy Hill-Davis

Board Member, SPHR, CCHR

Nancy Hill-Davis, SPHR has more than 25 years of health care human resources experience and currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Nancy served on the Certification Council . Previously, Nancy served as the Chief Human Resources and Risk Management Officer at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, Regional Director of Human Resources at Vencor in Alpharetta, Georgia, and Chief Human Resources Officer at Greater Southeast Healthcare System in Washington, D.C. In those roles, she provided leadership in developing and executing human resources strategy in the areas of talent acquisition, talent management, talent development, labor resource management, change management, compensation, benefits and employee health/wellness for nearly 3,000 employees. Nancy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University, a Master of Health Services Administration degree from The George Washington University and Master of Jurisprudence degree in Health Law from Loyola University. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) and is Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR). She also serves as a member of the Four Oaks Family and Children's Services Board of Directors, Exam Developer for the Human Resources Certification Institute and volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids.

Dr. Janet Walsh Headshot

Dr. Janet Walsh

Board Liason, DBA

Dr. Janet L. Walsh has 30 years-experience in global business and human resources. She is currently the President and CEO of Birchtree Global, LLC, which develops market entry solutions integrating the legal, financial, tax, HR, and business infrastructure to reduce risk and increase financial performance in globalizing businesses. Birchtree has been an HRCI and SHRM recertification provider for 10+ years. Her prior executive experience includes VP, and Global Director HR in billion-dollar multinationals. She has established business operations in 81 countries and all 50 US States directing teams of lawyers, CPAs, finance, and HR leaders. She holds a BA in Economics, minor in Japanese from Bucknell University, an MBA in Finance from Loyola University, and a DBA focused on Foreign Direct Investment from University of Phoenix. She is an adjunct professor/instructor of global business and HR at Manhattanville College, Columbia University, and NYIT. Her ongoing research on HR financial performance, global business, and Cuba is published in multiple journals. Board service includes Explorers Club Board of Directors-Chair of Ethics and Governance, Bedford Film Board, Manhattanville College Corporate Educational Advisory Board, Editorial Board for the International Journal of Management and Marketing Research, D’Oyly Carte US Board. She is a member of Rotary. She identified and excavated a Georgia archaeological site, is an award-winning watercolorist and member of the Booth Museum of Western Art Guild, and division champion equestrian.