HRT Team
This is the part where we stop talking about what we do, and we start sharing more about who does it! Many of us have worked together for over 20 years—yep, we go way back! We’re more than just coworkers; we’re friends, true problem-solvers, and proud HR nerds who genuinely love what we do. Helping organizations like yours thrive? That’s our idea of a good time.
Principal Consultant
Wendi Modarelli
Wendi, our Principal Consultant, brings over 20 years of experience in consulting, outsourcing, and hands-on HR management. She specializes in employee relations, compliance, performance management, and training, and excels at crafting tailored HR solutions. Wendi holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and a Business Administration & HR degree from the University of Washington. In her spare time, Wendi is usually spending time with her family, baking cakes, paddleboarding, playing tennis, or (attempting to) learn a new line dancing routine.
senior Consultant & compliance director
Katie Choi
Katie brings over 20 years of HR experience with a practical, solutions-focused approach that balances employment law with real-world context. She specializes in employee relations, policy development, compliance, project management, and people leadership. Katie holds a SHRM-SCP certification and a Sociology degree from the University of Washington. When Katie is not working you can find her spending time with her husband and two young sons. She loves watching and playing soccer, running, reading, cooking, and can usually be seen with an iced coffee in her hand. Sushi is her favorite food and Dolly Parton is her idol.
senior Consultant & Operations director
Jodi Miller
Jodi has over 20 years of recruitment and HR experience, primarily in outsourced settings. She has led teams with a focus on client satisfaction, employee development, and scalable service. Jodi enjoys collaborating, engaging candidates, and partnering with clients. She holds a Business degree from Jamestown University.
senior Consultant
Liz Nombrado
Liz brings over 15 years of experience aligning business goals with employee needs through a flexible, results-driven approach. She leads initiatives that boost performance, profitability, growth, and engagement, with expertise in compliance, benefits, compensation, coaching, development, and employee relations. Liz holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and a Business degree from the University of Washington.
Consultant
Karen Rylander
Karen brings over 30 years of hands-on HR experience in both internal and outsourced settings across diverse industries, including tech, manufacturing, real estate, and agriculture. She holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and a Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota. Her strength and passion are helping with effective communication between employers and employees. She enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest and traveling to all corners of the country with her husband.
Consultant
Brandi Alvine
Brandi has 10 years of HR experience in both internal and outsourced roles across various industries. A true generalist, she focuses on employee relations, policy development, training, recruitment, retention, and compliance. Brandi enjoys partnering with clients to meet their HR and business goals and holds a Business Administration degree from Seattle Pacific University. When Brandi is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and granddaughters. She loves Formula 1 and dreams of one day traveling the world one race at a time. If she ends up with any free time, you would probably find her in a hammock with a book and iced tea. Mexican food is her go to and she dreams of retiring on the beach.
Consultant
Aleigh Zimmerman
Aleigh has over 10 years of experience in consulting, healthcare, and business operations. Before HRT, she supported private equity firms by recruiting experts to inform business strategy. She’s passionate about partnering with clients to strengthen HR programs, with a focus on employee relations, training, and engagement. Aleigh holds a BA in Business from Cal Poly. Outside of HRT, Aleigh enjoys spending time with her husband and her Bernedoodle – Millie. On the weekends, she is likely running a local race, reading, watching a movie or baking.
Consultant
Erin Hansen
Erin is a strategic HR leader with over 10 years of experience across biotech, education, hospitality, and professional services. She excels at aligning people strategy with business goals and navigating complex compliance issues. With a values-driven approach and broad HR expertise, Erin delivers practical, transformative solutions that foster integrity and long-term success. She holds an SPHR certification, a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication, and a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from Washington State University. Outside of work, Erin can be found spending time with her husband and their four (!!) cats, mountain biking, or building with Lego. She’s an avid fan of Halloween and Christmas, loves wrapping presents, and enjoys making wreaths and watching Formula 1 in her spare time.
In Remembrance
Our Founder – Darcey McAllister
On May 17, 2025, we all experienced a tremendous and profound loss when Darcey McAllister, the Founder of HRT Northwest, sadly passed away after a long-fought battle with cancer. Darcey started HRT in 2017. But that is not where our story with Darcey begins. Most of us at HRT have known Darcey for 20+ years. And over those decades she has been our colleague, our leader, our mentor, and most importantly, our friend. We want to share with the world what Darcey meant to us. It’s an impossible task to put into words but we’ve tried. To Darcey, thank you for being you. When we think about what you brought to our lives, we think about all the remarkable qualities that made you YOU.
To us, Darcey was…
Hilarious & Lighthearted…Darcey was always quick with a joke and able to find the humor in situations, often telling funny stories of simple things that happened during her day. It brought a lightness to the world that could often feel heavy.
Resilient & Inspiring…Darcey could always see the bright side and make the most of situations. Through her cancer diagnoses she fought HARD and during every step she remained positive and hopeful, teaching us to be the same. Her tenacity to tackle life’s challenges or anything life threw at her left us in awe.
Vibrant & Hardworking …man did Darcey LIVE her life! She did all the things, she accomplished so much, and she had fun doing them. Her work ethic and tenacity to take on new challenges, roles or simply get work done was unparalleled.
Loving & Kind…Darcey supported us, loved us, helped us, cheered us on. It’s as simple as that – she was kind to the core. Years ago at PMSI she introduced us to Random Acts of Kindness – it was a wonderful concept that brought so much joy and appreciation to our workplace.
Direct & No Nonsense…Darcey was known for cutting through the BS, which was good for those of us who might take things too seriously at times. And while she was blunt on occasion, it was always delivered with so much care and kindness. We could also always count on her for much deserved eye rolls too, sometimes commenting “my eyes are rolling back in my head.”
Hospitable & Social… Many of us have eaten a meal at her table or stayed at her house when passing through town. She was a gracious, welcoming, and generous host – always making you feel truly at home. She loved traveling, good wine, and good company.
A True Legacy… Darcey has left an imprint on our hearts that will never fade. She has taught us all so much and we are carrying all those lessons with us. We know her legacy is widespread – we have crossed paths with people who have worked with Darcey outside of PMSI and HRT Northwest and every time we do, we hear stories of how amazing and well-respected she is.
Thank you, Darcey, for being you. You are unique and unforgettable; inspiring, loving, joyful and full of life. Your legacy will live on in the way we support one another, in our work with clients, and in our efforts to always face challenges with light and humor – the way you taught us.