Stacia Gaines
Consultant, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
My Commitment & Vision
I’m passionate about helping people reach their full potential. After a thirty-year career in corporate Human Resources, I’m now expanding my focus to support individuals and organizations in new and meaningful ways. I hold an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Samford University. I’ve also earned and maintained both SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications.
My career has given me the opportunity to serve across a wide range of industries, including Financial Services, IT, Healthcare, Commercial Real Estate, Utilities, Manufacturing, and Nonprofits. I was fortunate to gain multicultural experience while living and working in Tianjin, China for five years—an experience that broadened my perspective both professionally and personally. I’ve held leadership roles such as HR Director, Talent Acquisition Manager, Talent Manager, Trainer, and Coach, but my greatest strength and passion has always been connecting with people and supporting their growth.
I’m equally committed to making my community a more vibrant and equitable place. I’ve served on several boards and organizations that align with that mission, and I’ve been honored to receive recognition for innovation and leadership along the way. Helping others thrive—whether in the workplace or in the community—is what truly drives me.

My Expertise
Strategy Solutions / Grow Model
Certified InsideOut GROW Coach
As a Certified InsideOut GROW Coach, I help individuals and teams unlock their full potential through a structured, results-driven coaching approach. The InsideOut methodology combines the proven GROW model—Goal, Reality, Options, and Way Forward—with powerful techniques that focus on shifting internal mindsets and removing mental roadblocks. Rather than offering advice, this approach empowers clients to tap into their own insights, build confidence, and take ownership of their growth. Whether working with emerging leaders, seasoned executives, or high-performing teams, I create a supportive space for meaningful conversations that drive clarity, accountability, and real-world results.
Leadership Development
360 Reviews
360 Reviews are a powerful leadership development tool designed to provide comprehensive, multi-perspective feedback on an individual’s performance, behavior, and impact. This process gathers insights from a range of sources—including peers, direct reports, supervisors, and sometimes clients—to create a well-rounded view of strengths and areas for growth. As a coach or consultant, I guide individuals through interpreting this feedback with clarity and purpose, helping them uncover blind spots, enhance self-awareness, and align their personal development with organizational goals. When used effectively, 360 Reviews foster stronger leadership, improved communication, and a more engaged, high-performing workplace culture.
Professional Development
Career Coaching
Career coaching is a personalized, goal-oriented process designed to help individuals gain clarity, confidence, and direction in their professional lives. Whether someone is exploring new opportunities, navigating a career transition, seeking advancement, or simply feeling stuck, career coaching provides the guidance and tools to move forward with purpose. Through thoughtful conversations, strategic planning, and tailored support, I help clients identify their strengths, values, and goals, while also equipping them with practical skills like resume building, interview preparation, and personal branding. The ultimate goal is to empower individuals to take control of their career journey and create a path that aligns with both their passions and potential.
Organizational Development
Facilitating Leadership and/or Team Meetings
Facilitating leadership and team meetings or off-sites is a strategic form of coaching and consulting focused on fostering alignment, collaboration, and clarity within groups. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, strategic planning session, or team-building workshop, my role is to design and guide purposeful conversations that help teams reflect, connect, and move forward with intention. Through structured facilitation, I help leaders and teams clarify goals, strengthen communication, and address challenges in a supportive, results-driven environment. These sessions create the space for fresh thinking, stronger relationships, and actionable outcomes that drive both individual and collective growth.
Ivy & Apollo Consulting

1
Consultant
100%
Client Satisfaction
30+
Years of Excellence
My Edge
1
Predictive Index (PI) Facilitator
PI Facilitator skilled in leveraging behavioral analytics to optimize hiring, enhance leadership, and strengthen team performance.
2
Certified DiSC Instructor
Trained to deliver and interpret the DiSC personality assessment, a tool used to improve communication, teamwork, leadership, and workplace dynamics.
3
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencion
Facilitator of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, helping leaders create cohesive teams that drive results through trust, clarity, and accountability.
4
Gallup Strengths
Certified in Gallup Strengths, I help individuals and teams unlock their natural talents to perform at their highest potential.
5
Franklin Covey Unconscious Bias
Facilitator of Unconscious Bias by Franklin Covey, equipping teams to move beyond awareness into action—building trust, equity, and better outcomes.
6
Supervisory Skills
Trained in Supervisory Skills, I equip new and experienced leaders with the tools to manage teams effectively, navigate conflict, and lead with confidence. This includes: Interviewing, Performance & Conflict Management
Partners



CENTRAL SIX


Client Stories
I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks for the exceptional DiSC training to the Agile Process Team. The session was above and beyond all expectations. Your passion for the subject matter was contagious, and the skills you’ve taught us are immediately applicable to all of us and our teams. We left feeling inspired and equipped for the future. Thank you for empowering us with the tools to succeed!
Stephanie Clayton, Agile Coordinator at Altec
Stacia Gaines is the perfect combination of expertise, authenticity, and heart. She is not only a wealth of knowledge when it comes to human resources best practices, strategic planning, professional development, and mentorship, but also on how to effectively use these tools to make a positive impact at your company and in your community. Every second of coaching from Stacia is incredibly valuable and comes with tangible benefits, especially with me being a new executive director and novice in HR matters. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in bettering their organizations, as well as themselves.
Kristen Holder, Executive Director of Central Six AlabamaWorks!
Stacia Gaines has been an invaluable asset to the Birmingham Education Foundation. Her exceptional human resources support, dedication, professionalism, and expertise have greatly enhanced our organization's ability to serve our community. Stacia's commitment to excellence and her unwavering support have made a significant impact on our team, ensuring that we can continue our mission with confidence and efficiency. Additionally, her contributions extend to assisting with training high school interns for the workforce, providing them with invaluable skills and guidance for their future careers. We consider Stacia an invaluable partner to the Ed family.
Dr. Ashley Samuels, Executive Director of Birmingham Education Foundation
Stacia stands out with her warm smile and carefully chosen words that provide clarity on any issue. Personally, I have sought her mentorship for various challenges, and she has consistently been a source of support. Stacia's ability to listen attentively, ask insightful questions that often feel like answers, and provide actionable advice has been invaluable to me. Moreover, she regularly follows up to ensure progress has been made. I am deeply thankful for all the guidance she has provided me over the years.
Arash Tahtolkassaei, Business Intelligence Developer at Altec
