Influential Women spotlights HR leader Sarah Zevalkink

By AI, Created 9:39 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Influential Women featured Sarah Zevalkink, a Grand Rapids-area HR consultant with more than 16 years of experience helping Michigan organizations align people strategy with business goals. The profile highlights her work on culture, leadership, and responsible AI adoption in the workplace.

Why it matters: - Sarah Zevalkink works at the intersection of HR, culture, and business strategy. - Her consulting focuses on helping Michigan organizations build people systems that support growth, stronger leadership, and long-term stability. - Her views on AI, ethics, and workforce change reflect issues many employers are now facing.

What happened: - Influential Women published a profile of Sarah (Bokina) Zevalkink, PHR, SHRM-SCP, on May 5, 2026. - Zevalkink is based in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. - She is a Human Resources Consultant at HR Collaborative. - The profile describes her as an experienced HR consultant and culture strategist with more than 16 years of experience. - Influential Women included a link to her profile: Sarah Zevalkink’s profile.

The details: - Zevalkink partners with organizations across Michigan to design and implement scalable people strategies. - Her work includes building HR infrastructure from the ground up. - She also helps companies modernize people operations and develop leadership practices. - Her previous leadership roles included Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Downtown Market, and John Ball Zoo. - In those roles, she led work tied to organizational development, culture enhancement, operational modernization, and employee engagement. - Zevalkink earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Administration from Central Michigan University. - She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Ferris State University. - Her credentials include Professional in Human Resources, SHRM Senior Certified Professional, and Predictive Index Practitioner. - She serves on the Board of Directors for the Human Resources Group of West Michigan. - She is a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2025.

Between the lines: - Zevalkink frames effective HR work as a mix of strategy and execution, not just policy design. - She also emphasizes active listening as a core leadership skill, saying it helps uncover root issues and shape better solutions. - Her comments on AI point to a growing divide in HR between efficiency gains and concerns about ethics, transparency, and human judgment. - Her advice to young women in HR reflects a broader push for resilience and authenticity in a field that often works behind the scenes.

What’s next: - Zevalkink is expected to continue advising Michigan organizations on culture, leadership, and people operations. - Her profile suggests responsible AI adoption will remain part of her HR perspective as employers expand use of automation. - Her board service and professional visibility may keep her involved in West Michigan’s HR leadership network.

The bottom line: - Sarah Zevalkink’s profile presents her as an HR leader focused on practical systems, strong workplace culture, and people-centered growth.