Meet the HR Team

Rachel joined HLS HR in the winter of 2021. With over 9 years of experience, she previously held various HR roles in the retail and mental health care fields. Currently serving as a Human Resources Business Partner, Rachel partners with departments to provide consultation, coaching, and leadership in change processes to create a culture of productivity and engagement. She is passionate about providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all. Outside of the office, Rachel enjoys working out, beach combing, going to punk shows, and performing as a vocalist in her own band. 

James Estrella joined Harvard Law School’s Human Resources team in January 2026 as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner. In this role, he serves as a strategic advisor to leaders and staff, providing guidance on a broad range of HR matters including employee and labor relations, performance management, organizational design and development, workforce and succession planning, compensation, and change management. James partners closely with managers, staff, and HR colleagues to align HR strategy and services with HLS’s goals, support an inclusive and engaging work environment, and strengthen leadership and staff capabilities across the School.

James brings over 10 years of experience in human resources, municipal operations, and project and program management. Prior to joining HLS, he served as a Senior Human Resources Consultant with the University’s Central HR Office, supporting Harvard Library. Before transitioning into higher education, James held various roles within local government the City of Worcester in Massachusetts—his hometown— including positions HR, project and program management, and municipal operations, all focused on serving the community. A proud product of Worcester, James is deeply committed to public service and to fostering workplaces where all employees feel valued, supported, and able to do their best work.

Stephanie joined Harvard Law School in March 2025 as an HRBP.  With over 15 years in Human Resources, Stephanie has worked in non-profit biomedical research, higher education, and healthcare. Prior to Harvard, she worked at Innovative Renal Care and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has experience in a variety of HR facets including leaves of absence, employee relations, compensation, organizational development, and rewards & recognition.

Stephanie enjoys coaching employees and managers on navigating various situations. In her personal time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and baking.

Ciara joined the HLS HR team in December of 2019. As the Senior HR Generalist, she helps to provide support to staff as they navigate all things related to leave of absences, workers compensation, and accommodations. Ciara is passionate about providing the best client experience while supporting the development and journey of everyone she meets. Outside of the office, she enjoys all things fitness and music related; you can find her doing a workout or crafting the perfect playlist. A cup of coffee and a good laugh are an everyday necessity in her book!

Trina joined Harvard Law School in September 2017 and currently leads the Talent Acquisition team. Prior to joining HLS, she spent several years at Harvard Medical School on their HR team and has been recruiting across higher ed, corporate, and agency environments for over a decade.  In our rapidly changing talent landscape, Trina is dedicated to providing an outstanding recruiting experience for both candidates and hiring managers through creative collaboration and ongoing communication. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Outside of work, Trina’s happy place is at the coast. She enjoys being outdoors, paddling on her SUP, running, biking, practicing yoga, and is currently pondering the idea of taking up golf again.  

Monique joined HLS in June 2021 as a Talent Acquisition Partner. Prior to joining HLS, Monique worked in Industry for 18 years and most recently shifted gears in 2018 to work in Higher Education as a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at Dartmouth College. Her recruitment portfolio included supporting Arts & Sciences, Library, Provost, Advancement, Thayer School of Engineering and Graduate Studies. Monique’s ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment has been both a personal and professional goal. In addition, she prides herself on ensuring the hiring manager and candidate have an exceptional recruiting experience.

Wendy joined the Talent Acquisition team at HLS Human Resources in June 2022. Prior to HLS, Wendy worked in HR & Finance administration at the FAS Office of Career Services where her responsibilities ranged from staff engagement and event planning to hiring and onboarding of staff, student employees and contingent workers on the department level. In her current role, Wendy is excited to contribute to the larger scale recruitment efforts of the Law School’s diverse departments, centers and programs. As a firm believer that every interaction is an opportunity to provide a positive experience, Wendy is committed to delivering high level candidate and client support at all stages of the recruiting process. Wendy completed her BSBA with a concentration in Marketing and holds an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. Outside of work, Wendy enjoys traveling, photography, and drinking iced coffee year-round. 

Karen has been working at Harvard for over 30 years and grew up in Arlington. She is our Assistant Director or HR Internal Systems so processes all employee data, helps with our behind the scenes systems, and knows the answer to everything! Karen loves Boston sports, particularly the Patriots and turned her basement into a gym during lockdown. She has now hiked too many miles to count and also loves going to kickboxing classes!

Gloria joined Harvard Law School in January of 2020 as an HR Programs Specialist. Her focus at HLS is fostering community engagement through effective communications and cultivated programming. Her goal is to provide opportunities for all HLS employees to develop and thrive both professionally and personally. As a lifelong learner, she strives for continued growth for not only herself, but her colleagues and the institution.
Before her time at HLS, Gloria worked at Wellesley College and MIT, where she specialized in event planning and professional development. Gloria has a background in Theatre and Philosophy and currently lives in Watertown.

Ada holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and completed a Master’s degree in Human Capital Management and Analytics from the National University of Singapore in January 2023. She is also a certified Associate Human Resources Professional (aPHR).   
Ada’s passion lies in streamlining HR processes through innovative technology. Her experience spans various internships in multiple countries, including China, Singapore and Thailand in diverse sectors such as hotels, tech startups, and global organizations like the United Nations.  
Outside the office, Ada is an avid collector of blind box toys, an enthusiastic hiker, and a budding chef and baker—a hobby she picked up during the COVID lockdown. 

Brittany White-Hackett, began her HR journey as a recruiter while pursuing her master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Services from the University of Oklahoma. Before joining HLS, Brittany served as a Talent Acquisition Assistant at MIT. Prior to transitioning into HR, she worked as a property manager—an experience that sparked her passion for connecting with people and creating positive, efficient work environments. She’s driven by the belief that strong systems and supportive workplaces lead to happier, more productive teams.