Leah Cohen-McHale

Leah Cohen-McHale is an accomplished professional with more than 16 years of experience across various domains such as HR, project management, and leadership. Her expertise extends to driving strategic HR initiatives and achieving remarkable milestones in both for-profit and non-profit sectors.

In her current role as the Director of HR at Redhorse, Leah oversees the human resources operations, concentrating on formulating and executing HR strategies, programs, policies, and procedures. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas, including strategic HR leadership, employee relations and engagement, performance management, compensation and benefits, HR compliance and risk management, HRIS management, and assistance with mergers and acquisitions. By aligning employee needs with business objectives, Leah aims to optimize organizational performance.

Outside of her professional commitments, Leah is deeply involved in volunteer work. She serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Washington Area Total Rewards Association (WATRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Total Reward disciplines such as compensation, benefits, and overall wellness. In this capacity, she facilitates career development opportunities for members and actively contributes to the enhancement of Total Reward practices. Moreover, Leah is passionate about mentoring HR professionals and empowering them in their careers. She finds fulfillment in uplifting others and sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with aspiring professionals.

Leah’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art with a minor in Business from James Madison University, and a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Villanova University. Additionally, she holds certifications such as PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional). She is also a certified trainer for Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership II and has received the Employing Abilities at Work Certificate from SHRM. These qualifications underscore Leah’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the field of HR.