Deep End Talent Strategies
Certified Partner
About Deep End Talent Strategies
Deep End Talent Strategies, LLC is a full-service HR consulting firm for growing businesses and provides career coaching to individuals in transition.
Deep End Talent Strategies (DETS) works with companies and individuals to keep each connected to what the other side needs in today’s employment relationship.
We offer resume writing and career coaching for individuals and provide full-service talent management and HR consulting for businesses of all sizes.
We guide organizations and leaders through the full spectrum of talent management from recruitment and on-boarding to motivation and engagement, rewards, learning and development, succession planning, and exit.
Sometimes we find ourselves in the deep end of business growth, struggles, change and challenge. The deep end can be dark and frightening; we can be the light, life jackets, or even floaties. The deep end is where you have the most space to maneuver, make a splash, and create powerful ripple effects.
The current can be strong-Deep End Talent Strategies is stronger.
Team Leaders
Shawna Lake
Shawna started Deep End Talent Strategies to bring over 20 years of HR experience to companies and job seekers alike with a passion for keeping both sides of the employment relationship connected to what each other needs wants in today's job market.
Prior to launching Deep End Talent Strategies, Shawna served as a member of the leadership team at MISO, a large nonprofit organization managing the power grid for 15 states and Manitoba. In addition to overseeing communications and stakeholder engagement, she created an HR business model partner which aligned talent strategies to the specific needs of each business area. She was previously the Vice President of HR for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra guiding union and non-union staff and helping the largest arts organization in Indiana reach new audiences and improve community wellbeing through arts education. Her professional background includes leading all aspects of HR and communications with for profit, as well as nonprofit organizations in the arts, utilities, logistics, finance, and advertising.
Through consulting and pro bono service, Shawna has shaped HR practices and leadership capabilities in the environmental sector, as well as architecture and engineering, social services, healthcare, banking, life sciences, and start-ups.
With over 20 years of professional experience and the field’s highest professional designations, SPHR and SHRM-SCP, Shawna successfully leads organizations through significant challenge and growth such as negotiating an amendment to a collective bargaining agreement without opening contract talks for the first and only time in the company’s 90 year history or redesigning medical insurance benefits resulting in three consecutive years of cost and premium decreases while maintaining employee satisfaction.
Shawna holds a B.A. in Management and Organizational Communication and M.A. in Executive Development for Public Service, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration. Her formal education along with advanced training in media and crisis communications, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and change management allow Shawna to be a versatile business partner to senior leadership teams and boards.
When she’s not working, Shawna is likely watching a soccer game, reading a good book, traveling, or combining all three hobbies at once. She is committed to serving the community through volunteerism with the Humane Society of Boone County, Ronald McDonald House of Central Indiana, Hoosier Environmental Council, and the Community Foundation of Boone County and its Women of Impact.