Deidre Lane is a seasoned HR and people operations leader with over 20 years of experience in management and human resources, including a significant track record in the tech industry. Before founding OptimaHR, Deidre held executive and senior leadership roles within high-growth tech companies, where she built people strategies from the ground up and guided organizations through scale, transition, and culture transformation. Her background gives her a deep understanding of the’ unique pressures, pace, and potential of founder-led and innovation-driven environments.

As CEO of OptimaHR, Deidre brings the same strategic, people-first mindset to clients across sectors. In just two years, she has grown a high-performing team that shares her commitment to aligning people and business, delivering thoughtful, practical solutions that drive real change.

Deidre’s approach is grounded in partnership. She collaborates with business owners and leaders to create systems that unlock individual and organizational potential. From strategic HR planning to recruitment, policy development, and leadership support, her work is designed to build capacity, not dependency.

Clients of OptimaHR benefit from Deidre’s unique ability to connect people strategy with business performance. Her focus is always on long-term impact: helping organizations grow intentionally, lead confidently, and create workplaces where people genuinely want to stay and succeed.

Candace Walz, with her unique background rooted in family business, brings a wealth of knowledge in sales, project management, and human resources to OptimaHR. As our Employee Experience Expert, she leverages this diverse experience to enhance workplace environments not just within our team, but also across our client base.

Her certification in Employee Experience, combined with her expertise as a Twello Mindfulness Facilitator, positions Candace as a key asset to our clients. She applies her understanding of a peaceful and productive work environment to help our clients cultivate spaces where employees thrive. This approach leads to improved employee engagement and satisfaction, directly contributing to our clients’ success.

Candace’s holistic approach to employee well-being and her commitment to fostering positive workplace cultures make her an invaluable resource to OptimaHR and the businesses we serve.

Meagan brings a well-rounded and deeply practical perspective to OptimaHR. Her career has spanned manufacturing, non-profit, and most recently, the tech sector, giving her a broad lens into the challenges and opportunities of dynamic, multi-industry workforces.

Before stepping into HR, Meagan built her foundation in corporate marketing, developing a sharp understanding of engagement, communication, and connection—all of which now inform her people-first approach to human resources. This unique blend of experience helps her craft strategies that not only support business goals but also strengthen company culture.

Throughout her career, Meagan has been a trusted advisor to owners, operators, and leadership teams, guiding them through complex issues like employee relations, performance management, and career path development. She is passionate about local recruitment efforts and takes pride in building inclusive hiring practices that support underrepresented communities.

At OptimaHR, Meagan acts as a generalist, working across all 12 HR functions to ensure client goals are met with consistency and care. From day-to-day support to long-term planning, she plays a central role in helping clients stay organized, compliant, and aligned with their people strategy.