MEET OUR BENCH

Seasoned coaches & consultants with real-world experience.

At Bench Builders, clients work directly with experienced professionals — not junior staff or off-the-shelf programs.

Whether you’re developing leaders, strengthening culture, or navigating complex people challenges, you’ll be backed by practitioners who’ve led teams, built systems, and solved real organizational problems.

Mike O’Neill

Founder & Executive Coach

Credentials & Highlights

Certified Executive Coach
SHRM-SPHR (Senior Professional in HR)
20+ years in Fortune 500 HR leadership
Host of Get Unstuck & On Target
Expertise: executive coaching, succession planning, team alignment
Advisor to business owners, C-suite leaders, and growth-stage organizations
M.Ed., HR Development — Vanderbilt University

Bio

Great leadership isn’t about policies — it’s about people. That’s the principle that shaped Mike’s 20+ year career in Fortune 500 HR leadership, where he guided executives through mergers, culture shifts, rapid growth, and complex organizational change.

After decades helping leaders strengthen alignment and build healthier teams, Mike founded Bench Builders to bring practical, real-world coaching to organizations that want clarity, accountability, and impact — not theory.

Today, he works directly with CEOs, founders, and senior executives as a trusted thought partner, helping them steady the ground under their feet, strengthen their leadership presence, and scale with confidence.

Rhonda Beard

Leadership Development & HR Consultant

Credentials & Highlights

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
20+ years in HR, operations, and people strategy leadership
Cross-industry experience in manufacturing, banking, logistics, and nonprofits
Specialist in leadership development, culture transformation, and strategic HR
Advisor to growing businesses navigating change, engagement, and performance
Known for her practical, people-centered approach to leadership and team success
B.A. in Business - Finance, University of Michigan-Flint

Bio

Rhonda is a seasoned HR leader with more than 20 years of hands-on experience helping companies build resilient teams and lead through complex transitions. Before joining Bench Builders, she led HR functions across multiple industries — from manufacturing and transportation to banking and nonprofits — working with both Fortune 500 companies and family-owned businesses.

Known for her practical, people-centered approach, Rhonda helps leaders strengthen culture, develop their managers, and create environments where teams can thrive. Her work brings clarity to complex challenges, steadiness during organizational change, and a focus on results that support long-term growth.