Meet Laura
Making HR make sense.
Laura Azzarella is the co-founder and principal consultant of Applied Potential Solutions, a boutique HR consultancy specializing in employee relations, leadership & executive coaching, and HR technology for small and scaling organizations.
With more than 15 years of HR expertise across aerospace, manufacturing, higher education, and the public sector, Laura has been the first HR hire at two organizations and led HRIS rollouts including SuccessFactors, ADP Workforce Now, and Kronos. Her work is grounded in employment law, technology, and the practical application of both.
She is President of the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association, the Western New York chapter of SHRM.
Laura is a recognized practitioner in digital evidence authentication for workplace investigations, a discipline that has become increasingly prominent as text messages, social media screenshots, and email chains increasingly appear as evidence in employment matters alongside the increasing prevalance of AI. She has spoken on the topic for HR audiences including on AllVoices and the upcoming New York State SHRM annual conference.
Her consulting work spans fractional CHRO engagements, HR systems implementation, employee relations best practices, leadership development, and investigation protocol. Applied Potential Solutions is based in Buffalo, New York and works with clients across the United States.
Credentialed through the Human Resources Certification Institute and SUNY Stony Brook’s HR masters program.
Well-versed in HR best practice across multiple industries, with executive titles and international leadership experience.
Featured on Disrupt HR, NYS SHRM’s annual conference, HR Like a Boss, and more.
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Recommendations
What people say after working with Laura
“Laura is an excellent trainer, mentor, and role-model. We invited her back to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to present in our District Leadership Development Program several times because her sessions were impactful and very useful for our staff. Laura has an ability to connect with the room and deliver guidance people can use immediately.”
“Laura co-facilitated our first Ally Institute at the Women of Color Summit and spoke in our Roundtable Series on Advancing Women in the Workplace. She brings both deep HR expertise and the ability to make complicated topics practical for her audience.”
“Laura revolutionized the way we engaged with prospective employees, identifying and recruiting highly skilled applicants who elevated our team.”
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