Our Leadership Team | Tara McKinney, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Tara oversees HR and EEO functions across Clarkson and its family of companies, providing strategic leadership for all people-related functions while aligning HR practices with business goals and ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations. Her expertise spans workforce planning, talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training and development, performance management, HR compliance, EEO contract compliance, HR technology and analytics, and change management.

Tara brings more than 20 years of progressive HR experience, beginning her career in Silicon Valley before gaining over 10 years in manufacturing and the past five years in heavy civil construction. Her experience in multi-state and multinational organizations provides broad insight into diverse and complex business environments. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from California State University East Bay and holds several professional certifications, including SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and an Advanced Certification in Human Resources Management. Tara currently serves on the SHRM-KC Board as Legislative Director and previously served as Kansas State SHRM Legislative Director.

Tara and her husband have five children, three dogs, two guinea pigs, and a fish named Guapo. She enjoys astrophysics, documentaries, sipping coffee, and gardening.