About tonyel
Tonyel Thompson, Founder + HR Consultant
Real HR Hero founder and HR Consultant Tonyel Thompson has over 15 years of progressive HR experience, including serving as the Director of Human Resources for a global technology company.
She started her human resources career in payroll, but quickly realized that human resources was much more than transactional, but instead strategic. She believes that employees are a company’s number one asset! The president of a former employer often stated, which she wholeheartedly agrees – ‘if you treat your employees well, they will instinctively treat your customers well.’
Real HR Hero is Tonyel’s dream job because she has the opportunity to help various businesses create and maintain cohesive and people oriented talent management programs - working with business leaders who envision being an employer of choice.
Tonyel grew up in the Twin Cities (St. Paul/Minneapolis) with nine siblings. As the middle child, she was pulled in so many directions – negotiator, leader, and servant (😊), which is probably why it was easy for her to fall into human resources. Growing up, her parents did not doubt that she would be an attorney, fighting for people’s rights. But she believes Human Resources is much more fun – she gets to be proactive rather than reactive! She prefers to live in the grey but understands when things are just black and white.
Tonyel has two children and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. She loves music, hiking (when it’s not too hot), and making creative plant-based meals with her family.
Meet the team
Molly Gustavus, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Molly has over a decade of Human Resources experience that started in hospitality, moved into technical staffing surrounding the aerospace industry, and landed in non-profit healthcare before she accepted the HR Advisor position at Real HR Hero. Before Molly entered a world of employee engagement, she worked in the event planning industry
Molly has over a decade of Human Resources experience that started in hospitality, moved into technical staffing surrounding the aerospace industry, and landed in non-profit healthcare before she accepted the HR Advisor position at Real HR Hero. Before Molly entered a world of employee engagement, she worked in the event planning industry where she developed a passion for design and coordination.
Molly and her husband have two young children, both born during the global pandemic. When Molly isn’t dreaming of a nap, she is enjoying time with her family & friends, good music, her Peloton bike, a juicy podcast, great new restaurants, and of course wine and design 😊.
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston is a seasoned professional in the field of Human Resources, bringing 15 years of diverse experience to the table. Her career initially kicked off in the realms of accounting and finance after completing her undergraduate degree in business. However, it didn't take long for her to recognize that her true calling lay in a
Adrienne Egleston is a seasoned professional in the field of Human Resources, bringing 15 years of diverse experience to the table. Her career initially kicked off in the realms of accounting and finance after completing her undergraduate degree in business. However, it didn't take long for her to recognize that her true calling lay in a different direction – Human Resources. Her transition into the field of HR was seamless, with Adrienne demonstrating a natural affinity for the intricacies of human resource management. Known for her quick grasp of HR concepts and a genuine love for continuous learning, Adrienne has established herself as a valuable asset in the organizations she has served.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, her personal life is similarly fulfilling; Adrienne is a proud sister to a family of four strong, independent women. Among four siblings, each is unique in their own way. She is married and mother to five children, which made for a lively and close-knit household.
Cynthia Rodriguez, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Cynthia Rodriguez, HR Advisor
Cynthia has 19 years of Human Resources experience that started in the studio entertainment industry, transitioned into hospitality, and subsequently moved into HR consulting before she accepted the HR Advisor position at Real HR Hero.
Lena Littman, HR Advisor
Adrienne Egleston, HR Advisor
Cynthia Rodriguez, HR Advisor
Lena was a stay-at-home mom for many years raising her four children with her husband while she worked part-time jobs and went to school. She graduated from California State University at San Marcos with a degree in liberal studies and Spanish and a few years later, earned a master’s degree in executive leadership from the University of S
Lena was a stay-at-home mom for many years raising her four children with her husband while she worked part-time jobs and went to school. She graduated from California State University at San Marcos with a degree in liberal studies and Spanish and a few years later, earned a master’s degree in executive leadership from the University of San Diego.
She started her professional career in education working as a teacher and in leadership. Supporting and leading others laid the foundation for a natural transition into the field of Human Resources where she now has over ten years of progressive experience. She began her HR career working for a non-profit hospice and also worked in the manufacturing industry before starting her role as an HR Advisor for Real HR Hero.
Lena values time spent with family and friends and lives her life “one day at a time” with a focus on learning something new every day. She enjoys reading, writing, cooking, outdoor activities, and traveling.
Omied Mizrahi, HR Consultant
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Omied Mizrahi, HR Consultant
With over a decade of experience in Human Resources, Omied's journey in HR began after completing his doctorate in organizational industrial psychology. His psychology background provides him with a foundation that enables him to approach human resources consulting through a scientific lens. Over the years, he has honed his skills acr
With over a decade of experience in Human Resources, Omied's journey in HR began after completing his doctorate in organizational industrial psychology. His psychology background provides him with a foundation that enables him to approach human resources consulting through a scientific lens. Over the years, he has honed his skills across diverse sectors, including healthcare, retail, technology, and international sectors.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Omied enjoys visiting and spending time with his diverse and extended family members who are spread out in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. He enjoys spending time with friends and family; playing and watching basketball, and attending live music and comedy shows.
Nikki Velo, HR Consultant
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Omied Mizrahi, HR Consultant
Nikki brings over a decade of experience across hospitality, property management, startups, nonprofits, and consulting. She thrives on untangling complex HR challenges, digging deep to uncover root causes and craft strategic, long-term solutions. For her, the most rewarding part of HR is navigating the gray areas—where answers aren’t alwa
Nikki brings over a decade of experience across hospitality, property management, startups, nonprofits, and consulting. She thrives on untangling complex HR challenges, digging deep to uncover root causes and craft strategic, long-term solutions. For her, the most rewarding part of HR is navigating the gray areas—where answers aren’t always clear at first, but with the right perspective and patience, everything falls into place.
Her passion lies in Learning & Development and HR technology, leveraging modern tools to make HR more efficient, automated, and people focused. Whether it’s building training programs or refining processes, she’s always looking for ways to help teams work smarter, not harder.
Outside of HR, Nikki enjoys yoga, hiking, and getting lost in a good book. She loves adventure—scuba diving, skydiving, paddleboarding—and believes that great energy and the right mindset can turn any challenge into an opportunity.
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Len is an experienced Diversity, Equity Inclusion, and Belonging Strategist, having worked in the non-profit sector for over a decade. As a recruiter, Len advocates for underrepresented groups and champions the need for change and community. She prioritizes creating opportunities for these groups in top organizations and firmly believes t
Len is an experienced Diversity, Equity Inclusion, and Belonging Strategist, having worked in the non-profit sector for over a decade. As a recruiter, Len advocates for underrepresented groups and champions the need for change and community. She prioritizes creating opportunities for these groups in top organizations and firmly believes that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are the keys to building a progressive and authentic workplace culture. She is dedicated to recruiting talent from diverse backgrounds and industries, driven by the belief that this is the only way to build a better world.
When she's not working, Len enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband and three college-aged children. Recently, she's developed a love for Podcasts and even added a mic to her office. Her husky, Blade, shares the workspace with her and often beats her to the office in the morning. Who knows? She and Blade may start their podcast someday!
Alli Tweedt, Business Operations Coordinator
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Len Thomas, DEI(B) Strategist | Recruiting Consultant
Alli has several years of experience working with online businesses doing everything from personal assistance to business optimization to podcasting. She graduated from the University of Iowa with an English degree and has pursued a career in Online Business Support ever since. She loves working with small businesses to help ensure their
Alli has several years of experience working with online businesses doing everything from personal assistance to business optimization to podcasting. She graduated from the University of Iowa with an English degree and has pursued a career in Online Business Support ever since. She loves working with small businesses to help ensure their success and growth and believes that there is no stopping a team of talented, highly motivated individuals pursuing their passions.
She grew up in Iowa which sparked her interest in traveling, exploring new places, meeting people, and in her free time, she loves backpacking, scuba diving, and eating as much plant-based food as she can track down!
Nicole Farquharson, Project Coordinator, Sales/Marketing
Nicole Farquharson, Project Coordinator, Sales/Marketing
Nicole Farquharson, Project Coordinator, Sales/Marketing
Nicole has over a decade of experience in Sales, Marketing, and Finance. She takes pride in contributing to business growth, profitability, and overall success. From partnering with her customers to achieve mutual success to collaborating with internal team members, Nicole is focused on increasing the overall value of her company’s brand
Nicole has over a decade of experience in Sales, Marketing, and Finance. She takes pride in contributing to business growth, profitability, and overall success. From partnering with her customers to achieve mutual success to collaborating with internal team members, Nicole is focused on increasing the overall value of her company’s brand. Born and raised in Texas, she attended Texas Tech University and earned a Finance degree.
Beyond her professional life, she values moments with her husband and young son, enjoys the adventure of traveling (particularly to beach destinations), experimenting with new recipes, immersing herself in fantastic music, and savoring meaningful family time.