About Us

Red arrow pointing to the right.

Meet Michelle

Michelle Mendoza is Founder and Principal of Connect to HR, a consulting practice providing strategic HR advisory services and executive coaching for leaders, professionals, and organizations navigating change and growth. 

Close-up of a smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a beige collared shirt, against a blurred light background.

Who We Are

Connect to HR is led by Michelle Mendoza, Founder and Principal of the practice, strategic HR advisor, and senior career coach with 20+ years of experience supporting leaders, professionals in transition, nonprofits, and organizations. We provide practical guidance and clear next steps to help clients navigate leadership challenges, organizational change, career transitions, and emotionally charged situations with confidence.

Michelle is especially passionate about supporting nonprofit and mission-driven organizations and proudly serves on the advisory boards for Santa Clara University's School of Education, Counseling and Psychology and the nonprofit organization Phase2Careers. She also serves as a mentor with Her Allies, Inc. and has served as a mentor to Santa Clara University students over the past several years.

Connect to HR offers bilingual support in English and Spanish. When needed, we partner with trusted specialists through the Connect to HR network.

Credentials & Training

Career Coaching Certifications

 Past HR certifications:

Board Leadership:

University shield logo with church steeple, the year 1851, and the text 'Santa Clara University'.

Santa Clara University
Board Leadership Academy

Real-World Experience

Close-up of the Cadence logo in grey letters on a black background.
Large gray text spelling 'initial' with three gray dots above the 'i' and a registered trademark symbol at the bottom right.
Large gray text spelling 'initial' with three gray dots above the 'i' and a registered trademark symbol at the bottom right.
The image shows the logo of Apple Inc., which features a stylized apple with a bite taken out of it and a leaf on top.
Close-up of a logo with the text 'Johnson & Johnson' in large gray letters.
The logo of Veritas, a company with stylized gray text spelling VERITAS.
Netskope logo with stylized cloud icon in gray.
Y.W.C.A. logo in bold black letters.
A logo with the words 'team 4 tech' in stylized gray font.
Stylized logo with the word 'KLAM' and a plus sign.
The word 'Lemonade' written in large, cursive font.
College of Adaptive Arts logo with globe, stars, and text
Hacksaw Ridge logo with 'DC COMICS AND ENTERTAINMENT' text

Our Process

Red arrow pointing to the right.

How We Help

01

Listen & Clarify

Deep listening to your priorities, context, and values so that work begins from a clear understanding.

Simple blue arrow pointing to the right.

02

Design a Plan

Create a practical roadmap with milestones, owners, and a customized timeline. 

Blue arrow pointing to the right

03

Support Execution

Provide coaching, tools, & advisory support so clients translate plans into sustained outcomes. 

An arrow pointing to the right.

04

Bring the Right Help

Tap trusted specialists as needed so each plan has the expertise required for results. 

Newsletter Sign-up

White arrow pointing to the right on a plain background.

Insights for Careers and Organizations

Get practical tips, tools, and insights delivered through our blog and resources.

Contact Us

Arrow pointing to the right

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a discovery meeting to confirm, clarify fit, clarify goals, and identify the right next step.