PERRY SHOLES – SPHR/SCP
President, Progressive HR Strategies Inc.
Perry Sholes is a highly accomplished Business Executive known for his exceptional leadership in the field of Human Resources and his ability to drive economic value. With a career spanning over 30 years, Perry has successfully contributed to the profitability and growth of various global organizations, including private equity portfolio companies, large public corporations, and privately-owned businesses.
Starting his career in Operations, Perry gained valuable experience as an Hourly Employee, General Manager at McDonald’s Corporation, District Manager at Taco Bell Corporation, and Regional Foodservice Manager at Target Stores Corporation. These roles provided him with a comprehensive understanding of profit and loss management, operations, training, and people development.
Perry further honed his Human Resources skills in the consumer products (CPG) industry at Nabisco Foods Company Inc. and Kraft Foods Inc. During his 10-year tenure, he progressed from sales training to assuming leadership responsibilities for the corporate functions of Kraft Foods Latin America HQ in Miami. Following his passion for helping his community rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, Perry returned home to Louisiana and joined Raising Cane’s as VP Crew Resources. In 2007, he founded Progressive HR Strategies, a New Orleans based HR consulting firm. Perry’s expertise also led him to serve as VP Talent Management & Inclusion and subsequently VP HR at Thomas and King Inc., a privately-owned operator of (87) Applebee’s and (6) Johnny Carino’s casual dining restaurants. He continued to excel in the field, serving as SVP HR at Last Call Operating Company, which included Fox & Hound and Champs Sports Grill concepts, until the company’s sale in 2016.
Throughout his diverse roles, Perry has consistently showcased his ability to navigate course changes, adapt to slim margins, and cultivate talent development infrastructure. He possesses deep expertise in talent acquisition, training design and facilitation, leadership development, talent management, succession planning, benefits strategy and administration, compensation, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and risk management.
Perry’s educational background includes an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Marketing from Tampa College. He holds HR certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a Senior Certified Professional (SCP), and is recognized as a certified Myers-Briggs Practitioner and PDI Profilor 360 Assessment practitioner.
Committed to making a difference beyond his professional endeavors, Perry has held board positions in various associations, including Women Foodservice Forum, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, Girl Scouts Louisiana-East, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Kentucky and Louisiana, and, most recently, Chairman of the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. He is also the President and Founding Member of the Kraft Foods Alumni Network.
As President of Progressive HR Strategies Inc., Perry and his team of experienced professionals bring significant corporate experience to provide consulting services. Their primary focus is on engaging leaders to drive meaningful changes and improve business results through human capital initiatives. Key competencies include Executive and Talent Search, Harassment Prevention & Culture Training, HR on Call (retained HR Services), and Employee Benefits Consulting. Progressive HR Strategies excels in linking business imperatives to individual results, delivering outstanding Human Resources Consulting services.
SHEILA M. ROBINSON
Sheila M. Robinson is an expert with over 20 years of experience in Human Resource Management and effective change management for teams. Sheila has effectively designed and implemented key strategies to engage all employee levels from the C-Suite to Interns. She is results-driven and has a proven track record in positively shifting company culture while prioritizing company goals and revenues.
Sheila has successfully transformed teams throughout the Gulf South region and Eastern corridor in the following fields: Hospitality, Education, Oil & Gas, Transportation, Construction, Financial Management and Technology.
Sheila is the State and Regional Conference Director for the Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management and New Orleans Chapter, the Speaker Chair for the Louisiana State Society for Human Resource Management – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit, a board member and member mentor for Project Butterfly New Orleans, a mentor and coach for Corporate Immersion Leadership Institute and member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
Sheila M. Robinson is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana and proud alumna of Dillard University
where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and a proud, devoted
Mother of two phenomenal daughters Leah, a rising sophomore at Southern University and
Kailen, a junior at Chalmette High School. Sheila has achieved the honor of being recognized as
Dillard University’s 40 Under 40 and St. Bernard Parish Schools Parent of the Year.