April Simpkins SHRM-CP, PHR

APRIL SIMPKINS SHRM-CP, PHR, – April is a dually certified HR Professional with 30 years of executive-level Human Resources experience. April is an HR Consultant and the Chief Human Resources Officer for Totalhr, a human resources services firm focused on supporting the HR needs of small- to mid-sized businesses. She has helped more than 1000 business owners shape and develop their human capital.

April’s experience and expertise, coupled with her continued study of Human Resources trends, has made her a trusted advisor for many in the business community. It also led to an invitation to The Business Journal Leadership Trust, which allows April to share her expertise with leaders nationwide. She has been a requested presenter and guest speaker for organizations that include Harvard University Extension School, Winthrop University, The Citadel, EEOC, and The City of Charleston, to name a few. She is also a member of the SHRM Speakers Bureau.

April is a board member of both the York County Regional Chamber and the SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). She is the Chapter Chair for the Charlotte affiliate of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), a non-profit membership organization for women presidents, CEOs, and managing directors of privately held, multimillion-dollar companies. In 2016 WPO honored April with the Woman of Color Award for her business achievements.

April is the Chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for Greenville SHRM. In 2020 April received the Unsung Hero Award from Greenville SHRM for her exemplary leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She was the Diversity Director for the South Carolina Society for Human Resources Management from 2018 – 2020. Her service and commitment to the HR community and the profession’s advancement led to her selection as a member of the HR Advisory Board for Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. She works with a team of HR thought leaders who have been charged with designing the human resources undergraduate and postgraduate degree curriculum and programs.

April has received many awards and honors for her business acumen. Her awards include: the 2020 Women In Business Achievement Award from the Charlotte Business Journal, the 2018 Fort Mill/ Tega Cay Business Person of The Year Award from the York County Regional Chamber, the Movers & Shaker Award given by Business Leader Magazine and, in 2016, April was named one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women by Mecklenburg Times.

April is a classically trained pianist, an avid runner, athlete, mother, wife, and entrepreneur.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Current Affiliations

2021 Member – Duke Energy SC Upstate Advisory Board

2021 Chair – Greenville SHRM Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

2021 Officer – York County Regional Chamber Board of Directors

2020 Chapter Chair – Women Presidents Organization – Charlotte Chapter

2020 Member – Charlotte Business Journal Leadership Trust

2020 Member – Equity Task Force – United Way of York County

2019 Member –  South Carolina Small Business Development Center Board of Advisors

2019 Member – Greenville – Society for Human Resources Management (GSHRM)

2007 Member – Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

Prior Affiliations

2019 Member – Leadership York County Class of 2019

2018-2020 Diversity Director – SC SHRM State Council

2017-2020 Member – Women Presidents’ Organization – Charlotte Chapter

2017 -2020 Board Member – York County Regional Chamber

2017 President (3rd term) -Carolinas Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (CCSHRM)

2013-2017 Member – SC SHRM State Council

2015-2016 Chair – Small Business Council – York County Regional Chamber of Commerce

2013-2014 President (1^st and 2^nd Term) – Carolinas Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (CCSHRM)

2013 – 2015 Advocacy Captain 5th District – SHRM

2012-2014 Member – Small Business Council – York County Regional Chamber of Commerce

2010 -2012 – Board of Directors CALG (Charlotte Area Liaison Group)

Recognized as an expert in Human Resources by Mecklenburg County Court System

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

2020 – Unsung Hero Award (for Exemplary Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) – Greenville SHRM

2020 – Women In Business Achievement Award – Charlotte Business Journal

2018 – Fort Mill, Tega Cay Business Person Of The Year – York County Regional Chamber

2017 – HR Advisory Board – Winthrop University

2016 –  50 Most Influential Women Award – Mecklenburg Times

2016 – Woman of Color Award – Women Presidents Organization

2015 – Finalist -South Carolina HR Professional of the Year Award – SC Chamber of Commerce

2011 – Mover & Shaker Award – Business Leader Magazine