ABOUT US
At The HR DOC Consulting, we empower individuals and organizations with practical, customized solutions designed to help them thrive in the business world. Our personalized approach ensures that each client receives the support they need to achieve their goals and succeed in a competitive environment.
24
Years
Experience
90
Resumes
Transformed
25
Businesses &
Nonprofits Served
12
Industries
Served
THE "A" TEAM
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Dr. Akilah A. Bradford is an HR strategist, career coach, and trusted advisor to small businesses, nonprofits, and mission-driven teams. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and 15+ years as a higher education instructor, she blends practical expertise with academic insight to help organizations and individuals thrive.
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Known as "The HR DOC" for her diagnostic approach, Dr. B brings clarity to everything from compliance to culture. Her work spans people operations, conflict resolution, policy development, workplace investigations, and leadership training — always with empathy, precision, and strategy.
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She has personally coached over 70 professionals to career growth through resume development and job search support, and regularly facilitates workshops on interviewing, inclusive supervision, and communication in the workplace.
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In 2025, Dr. B completed Cohort 7 of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business Program, a national initiative designed to equip Black women entrepreneurs with the tools to scale their ventures sustainably and successfully.
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Dr. B holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University, where her research focused on employee commitment and retention. She also earned an MBA and MS in Human Resources from National Louis University, and a BA in Communications from the University of Illinois Chicago.
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Based in Chicago’s South Side, Dr. B is the co-owner of All Things Fitness, a fitness studio where she teaches indoor cycling. She recharges by coaching women in wellness, traveling, and attending live music events — having seen over 50 artists in concert, including Prince.
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Dr Akilah A. Bradford
“The HR DOC” CEO/Founder
Alicia bennett
Managing Director, Client Services
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Alicia Bennett’s career has focused on the customer and ensuring the customer experience always exceeds their expectations. She has nearly 15 years of experience in client engagement and customer growth strategy development. Working in education, travel, retail, and hospitality has strengthened Alicia’s belief in the power of connections. She understands that having an empathetic approach to engaging people can allow for healthy relationships to flourish within organizations.
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She has spent many years in the Midwest and now the East Coast providing support to corporate clients including project management, team development, organizational development, and marketing initiatives.
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Alicia Bennett studied Organizational Communication and Public Relations at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree.
Ava Hawkins​
Payroll and Compliance Specialist
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Ava Hawkins is a seasoned Payroll and Compliance Specialist with over 15 years of experience navigating the complexities of HR operations in both union and non-union environments. With a strong foundation in hospitality, food and beverage operations, and nonprofit organizations.
Known for her hands-on approach and deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, Ava has successfully led HR and payroll functions for organizations ranging from start-ups to established enterprises. Her expertise includes payroll administration, compliance oversight, unions/collective bargaining agreements, and the development of effective HR policies and training programs.
​Ava supports a diverse portfolio of small to mid-sized clients, offering tailored solutions that optimize payroll processes and ensure compliance with ever-evolving labor laws. With a Master’s in Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate School of Management and a passion for helping teams thrive, Ava brings both strategic insight and practical know-how to every project. She prides herself on building strong relationships, fostering inclusive workplace cultures, and making HR approachable and effective for everyone she works with.
Dr. Bradford and the HR-Doc team brought the professional wisdom and practical skills to help us make necessary organizational changes with as much fairness, transparency, and justice as possible. I would strongly recommend HR-Doc to any organization.
Dr. Molly Pachan
Former Executive Director
Sankofa Psychological Services, LLC
WHO WE'VE WORKED WITH
