People First.
Purpose Always.
Waterfront HR was founded to bring clarity, structure, and heart to people strategies. We partner with organizations to build stronger teams, leaders and cultures that drive lasting impact.
OUR TEAM
FOUNDER & PRINCIPLE CONSULTANT
Kely Blackburn, MS, SHRM-CP
About the Founder
Kely Blackburn created Waterfront HR to offer what she felt was often missing from the HR profession: practical, strategic support that truly understands how a business operates.
With a background that spans operations, people leadership, compliance, process improvement, and organizational execution, Kely brings a refreshed perspective to strategic HR. She sees human resources not as a standalone function, but as a critical part of how a business runs, grows, and makes decisions.
Her operational experience allows her to look beyond the surface of people challenges and identify the systems, structures, and leadership gaps underneath. Through Waterfront HR, Kely helps organizations build clarity, improve program efficiency, reduce risk, and create people practices that are both compliant and business-aligned.
Waterfront HR was built for leaders who need more than reactive HR support. It was built to be a trusted strategic partner for organizations ready to strengthen their foundation, develop their teams, and grow with intention.
When not at the helm of Waterfront HR, Kely spends time with her family, enjoying all creature comforts the Central Coast has to offer.