Elisa Courter, MBA-HRM, has built a career devoted to helping businesses thrive through strategic human resources and consulting services. As chief executive officer and human resources professional at Courter Consulting, she delivers tailored back-end solutions that enable small businesses to operate more efficiently. Recognizing the unique challenges blue-collar companies faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded her firm to address specialized needs in human resources, compliance and operational support. Her work spans implementing systems, developing employee materials, overseeing payroll and invoicing and ensuring that daily operations run smoothly. She values becoming an integral part of her clients’ teams, allowing them to focus on their strengths while she ensures stability and growth.
Ms. Courter holds a Master of Business Administration in human resources management and services from Webster University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in speech communication from Southern Illinois University. Her academic background shaped her ability to merge strategic insight with practical solutions, preparing her to navigate complex workplace dynamics while fostering environments where employees and organizations succeed together. She credits much of her professional development to her commitment to learning, resilience in overcoming challenges and the encouragement she has received from her hometown community.
Before launching her own firm, Ms. Courter was the director of human resources and recruitment at 360 Anesthesia, overseeing onboarding, performance reviews, benefits administration and employee support initiatives. She also acted as a liaison between scientific and financial teams, ensuring accurate and secure recordkeeping while promoting effective cross-departmental communication. In earlier roles at the same company, she was a human resource director and business development manager, supporting strategic growth and strengthening internal processes.
Ms. Courter career foundation was built through progressively responsible positions in human resources and benefits administration. At ARCO/Murray, she worked as a benefits coordinator and benefits assistant, developing expertise in employee engagement and benefits management. She was also a human resources manager at Pacific Uniforms and a benefits specialist at Whelan Security.
Motivated by early experiences in corporate settings where she witnessed poor workplace practices, Ms. Courter entered the human resources field through benefits administration and soon expanded her focus to include employee engagement, performance management and organizational culture. Advanced education strengthened her ability to integrate human resources strategy with business operations, allowing her to create lasting improvements for both employees and employers.
Outside her consulting work, Ms. Courter is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Academy to Innovate Human Resources, keeping her connected to industry trends and best practices. She also sponsors the O’Fallon, Illinois Band and has been recognized by the Illinois Business Journal for her contributions to regional business excellence. In addition, she authored “Social Media and the Dark Side of Relationships,” published through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Ms. Courter enjoys spending time with her young daughter and son, and shares a passion for fitness with her husband, a local gym owner and powerlifter. Looking to the future, she plans to expand Courter Consulting with additional staff and broadened service offerings, continuing her commitment to helping small-town businesses, especially those in construction, achieve sustainable growth.