Outsourced HR Support & Solutions
About Us
Why Hire Orchard HR

Orchard HR specializes in helping mission-driven organizations and start-ups within the arts, non-profit, education, and social service sectors. When you work with us, you’re getting over 30 years of combined experience in Human Resources – from compliance and policy development, to audits, risk management and recruiting.
It’s our goal to make HR management simple and accessible for all small businesses. We start off with a practical and methodical approach to understanding your organization and your goals; then work closely with you to understand your challenges and propose a solution that meets your needs, timeline, and your budget.
Whether you are looking for additional support managing employment compliance, are struggling to handle employee relations issues, need an employee handbook, or are building a Human Resources foundation from the ground up, we can help.
What You Can Expect When You Work With Orchard HR
Personalized Support – We take the time to understand your small business, your goals, and your team dynamics to create solutions that truly fit you. No cookie-cutter advice here, just tailored, hands-on support and guidance.
Clear, Practical Guidance – HR can feel overwhelming, but we simplify the process. From people management strategies to handling sensitive employee matters, we provide straightforward, actionable advice.
Clear, Confident, Employee-Management Practices – Managing people can be stressful, especially when you have other operational responsibilities or aren’t as knowledgeable in employee-management practices you’d like to be. At Orchard HR, we provide your team with guidance and clarity, so you can confidently navigate issues like performance, policies, and employee benefits.
Proactive Policy Development – Get ahead of problems by building strong foundations: clear expectations and policies, healthy communication, and a collaborative workplace culture.
A Real Partnership – Orchard HR is in your corner. Whether you need support on a specific project or on-going guidance, when you hire us, you’ll always have a reliable HR expert to lean on.
At Orchard HR, we believe that when you take care of your people, your business flourishes. When we work together, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing you have a knowledgeable, collaborative Human Resource team to manage compliance and navigate employee issues, if and when they arise. Here’s what we offer our clients:
- Tailored HR Solutions that meet the unique needs of your small business no matter the stage your in or industry
- A Collaborative Hands-On Partnership that isn’t just one-time advice, but a collaboration which provides on-going, practical guidance and support.
- Proactive Problem-Solving to manage complex Human Resource laws and regulations and address potential issues before they become costly problems, ensuring your business is running smoothly and minimizing risks.
- Proactive Problem-Solving to manage complex Human Resource laws and regulations and address potential issues before they become costly problems, ensuring your business is running smoothly and minimizing risks.
- Employee-Management Expertise that helps you navigate performance challenges and leadership development with greater confidence.
- Over 30 Years of Human Resources Expertise that allows us to understand the unique challenges small businesses face, and provide realistic, scalable solutions to meet your business’ specific needs.
Let’s Build Something Great Together!
Our Team



Kristen Wilhelm, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Owner & Principal Consultant
Kristen has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources in both the private and non-profit sectors and holds both national HR certifications at the senior level: SPHR and SHRM-SCP.
With proven success in avoiding costly compliance issues, Kristen specializes in ensuring employers have the documents and processes in place to meet federal and state labor requirements and provides business owners and managers with tools to effectively manage their teams.
Kristen has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Wellesley College. She serves on the Board of Directors for Operation Delta Dog, enabling her to give back to our veterans and homeless pets – two causes close to her heart. As a female business owner, she particularly enjoys working with other women-owned and women-lead businesses to help support them on their path to success.



Kendra Bither, SHRM-CP, GBA
Human Resources Consultant
Kendra adds 13 years of Human Resources experience to our team, and spent over 10 years in the healthcare sector. She is especially knowledgeable and experienced in recruiting, benefits and wellness, compensation, employee relations, and compliance.
Kendra holds a SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), as well as the Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). She graduated with a BA in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross.
Kendra lives in Tyngsboro, MA with her husband, three children, and their golden retriever, Polly. Outside of work, Kendra enjoys reading, barre classes, and going on adventures with her family.