Rick Forsythe is an HR leader with decades of hands-on experience helping organizations solve people challenges, strengthen leadership, and build healthier workplaces. After working in both education and biomedical settings, he now focuses on bringing that expertise to organizations that need practical, people-centered HR support.
Rick earned his Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Utah and went on to hold leadership roles at Granite School District, where he helped launch Utah’s first federally registered custodial apprenticeship program. His work strengthened the district’s talent pipeline and set a new standard for skilled workforce development in the state.
After relocating to Virginia, Rick joined Tuckahoe Orthopedic Associates as HR Manager. There, he coached department leaders, improved team dynamics, and helped build a more engaged culture. His leadership development efforts drove measurable results—turnover dropped 37% and absenteeism fell 24% in key departments, saving the organization roughly $69,000 annually.
At Afton Scientific, Rick led a major HR systems transformation, replacing fragmented processes with a fully integrated HRIS. The shift streamlined operations, increased visibility, and saved approximately $80,000 in productivity. He also developed and facilitated leadership programs designed to support new managers, build confidence, and prevent small issues from becoming big ones.
Today, Rick brings this blend of strategic insight and practical, real-world experience to his consulting work. He specializes in leadership coaching, HR process improvement, values-based hiring, culture-building, and helping organizations navigate change with clarity and compassion.
As he often says:
Everything rises and falls on leadership. Soft skills aren’t optional—they’re essential. When organizations invest in developing their leaders, everything else starts to fall into place.”