Making public sector work better.

       President

Tara Moore

Tara Moore is the Deputy Director of Human Resources for the Town of Parker, Colorado where she plays a key leadership role in recruitment, retention, organizational development, organizational culture, core value alignment and staff training.  She has worked for the Town of Parker since 2002 and has been a part of the Human Resources team for over thirteen (13) years; having facilitated sessions on team building, leadership, performance management and emotional intelligence. Tara has been a past session speaker for Colorado PRIMA, PSHRA Western Region Conference and is a Crucial Conversations Trainer.

Tara is PSHRA-SCP and SPHR certified and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

A Colorado native she enjoys crafting, camping, cooking, sports and spending time with her family and friends.

Vice President / President Elect

Secretary

Amber Moreno

Amber Moreno is the Human Resources Director for the Town of Parker in Parker, Colorado. Amber has over 15 years of comprehensive human resources experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Oklahoma State University and her Master’s in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University – Global Campus. Amber holds a Senior Certified Professional designation from the Society for Human Resources Management.

Making a recent move from Northeast Oklahoma, Amber, her husband, and their three boys are busy enjoying the active Colorado lifestyle!

       Treasurer 

Gayle Johnston 

   Gayle Johnston serves as the Human Resource Manager at Jefferson County Communications Center Authority (Jeffcom 911), one of the largest emergency communications centers in the United States. Jeffcom 911 provides dispatch services to 30 police, fire, and emergency medical agencies, ensuring the safety of the community.

With over 20 years of experience in administrative and office management, Gayle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She works closely with the Human Resource Manager at Jeffcom, contributing significantly to the HR functions and overall organizational effectiveness.

Gayle is a certified SHRM-CP professional and has studied Human Resource Management at Southern New Hampshire University.

Originally from South Africa, Gayle moved to Colorado in 2001 and has since made it her home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three daughters and two Goldendoodles. Her passions include hiking, running, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors.

2024-2025 Board Members

  Sarah Ballow

  Sarah Ballow is the Sr. Human Resources Generalist for the Town of Castle Rock where she focuses on    compensation and classification, employee relations, and recruitment. She has been with the Town since    2022, and has 8 years previous experience that includes talent acquisition management, HRIS and business   analytics, and campus recruitment. Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Administrative Operations from Metropolitan State University of Denver, and is SHRM-CP and SPHR certified. Sarah has lived in the Town of Castle Rock for over 20 years and is very passionate about the opportunity to serve the community that she grew up in.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys running alongside her 7 year old blue heeler, Lila, finding a new recipe to try, or traveling to new places.

Lydia Ombogo

Lydia Ombogo is a Senior HR Consultant with the University of Colorado Denver. For over 14 years, Lydia has been providing human resources support in all areas of Human Resources in both the private and public sectors. She is currently specializing in employment relations as that is the area of Human Resources she enjoys. Lydia has her Master of Science in Human Resources from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin. She is also PHR and SHRM CP certified.

In her free time, Lydia enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and traveling to new places.

Brittany Dvorak 

Brittany currently serves as the Director of People & Culture for the Town of Frederick, where she leads HR strategy with a bold, business-minded approach. With over 12-years of experience in human resources, she’s known for her “Lift and Shift” methodology, transforming underperforming HR functions into high-impact strategic partners that drive operational excellence, workforce alignment, and cultural credibility. Her focus is on doing HR differently: future-focused, data-informed, and operationally integrated.

Recognized as one of Denver’s Top 3 HR Professionals in 2023 by Mile High SHRM, Brittany is passionate about building leadership capacity, rethinking traditional HR models, and creating people strategies that actually move the needle. She brings a hybrid background in both human resources and business operations, offering a practical, outcomes-driven perspective to every challenge.

As a PSHRA Board Member, Brittany looks forward to sharing her experience while continuing to learn from other leaders in the public sector. When she’s not working, she’s golfing, reading, spending time with her family, scouting out the best coupons/deals, or proving that french fries can be a stand-alone food group.

Rachel Klinger 

Rachel Klinger is an experienced Human Resources professional with a long-standing career built on a foundation in psychology and a passion for supporting organizations through people-centered strategies. With a background that includes significant experience in employee relations, training, quality, and safety, Rachel brings a well-rounded and strategic perspective to her HR leadership.

Currently serving as the HR Manager for the City of Dacono in Colorado, Rachel is relatively new to the public sector, having joined less than two years ago. She enjoys the diverse and dynamic nature of HR work; from employee relations to organizational development. Her enthusiasm for public service and community impact is reflected in her recent appointment to the PSHRA Board, where she looks forward to contributing for the next two years.

Deanna Heyn

Deanna Heyn, Regional Manager & Local Client Liaison, is a seasoned Human Resources executive and HR consultant with over 35 years of experience, including more than 20 years in public sector leadership, and the past eight years with CPS HR Consulting. She has served federal, state and local government agencies, providing strategic HR solutions that align people strategies with organizational goals. Mrs. Heyn has led all core HR functions—talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational development, employee benefits, compliance, and policy implementation, to name a few—bringing deep insight into the operational and cultural dynamics of government agencies. Her hands-on leadership fosters high-performing teams and drives efficiency, engagement, and innovation. With a collaborative and client-focused approach, she ensures HR is positioned as a strategic partner in advancing agency success.

Michelle Oeser

Michelle Oeser is the Town Clerk/Administrative Services Director which includes Human Resource duties for the Town of Elizabeth, Colorado. Michelle has been with the Town of Elizabeth for 7 years, prior to this she was with the Town of Kiowa for 12 years. She works to promote a culture of collaborative relationships with all departments. She has developed a reputation for looking at the big picture, strategic thinking, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Michelle has lived in and worked in Elbert County for 30 years and is dedicated to serving her community and the people she works with.

Michelle holds her MMC, PSHRA-CP, and CPM certifications. She also has a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband, sons, and dogs. She likes hiking, camping, ATVing, reading, and is looking forward to doing more traveling and new hobbies.

Lindsay Ghirardelli

Lindsay Ghirardelli is a Senior HR Business Partner on the Employee Relations team for Jefferson County. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Colorado State University, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is passionate about fostering inclusive workplace cultures, leading strategic HR initiatives, and aligning people practices with organizational goals. Prior to her experience in the public sector, she served as Human Resources Director for a local non-profit which focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of abused and neglected youth. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two children, ages 15 and 13, and their goldendoodle, Bear.

Andrea Orth

Andrea Orth is an HR Generalist with the Town of Castle Rock. She started her career out as a Recreation Admin Manager that gave her the opportunity to dip her toes in HR related duties. As she grew, she realized HR was where she wanted to be. she transitioned fully into HR 4 years ago, and switched to Public Sector HR about two years ago, it was one of the best decisions she has made. She's grown to love the variety and creativity Human Resources can bring! Earning her Masters in Human Resource Management and the SHRM-CP, plus working alongside great colleagues and mentors has helped her become the HR Professional that she is today.

2025-2026 Associate Board Members

THANK YOU to our 2024-2025 exiting Board Members

• Geralyn Gorshing - Past President, President, Vice-President, Board Member
• Annie Swan - Board Member
  
• Carin Owen - Board Member, Treasurer