James Cooper Consulting is a multi-service consulting group specializing in career and workforce development, talent search and recruitment. We empower people with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to accomplish their desired career goals or execute positive workforce transformation within their organization.
Let’s Build Excellence Together!
ABOUT THE FOUNDER & CEO
James A. Cooper Jr., MA (He/Him/His) is the founder, CEO, & principal consultant of James Cooper Consulting LLC. His professional background consists of years of experience in career and college advising, organization development, recruitment & retention strategic planning, leadership management, student affairs, instructing, and diversity, equity and inclusion practices. His educational credentials include a B.S. in Management and Marketing and a M.A. in Organization, Leadership, Policy, and Development. As a scholar practitioner, his past research topics have focused on access and utilization of career exploration/development resources by underrepresented/underserved populations and recruitment/retention programs focused on students, staff, and faculty of color.
Born in Liberia (West Africa), James Cooper Jr. immigrated to the United States in 2001 with his family. Education has always been a driving force and value in James’ life. As a consultant, James believes in the importance of empowering others to reach their full potential. With a holistic consulting style rooted in empowerment, James utilizes a social cognitive career and asset based lens to support the needs of his clients. Within his previously held positions, he was often credited as a strategizer, implementer, and connector. He thrives in his ability to bring ideas into fruition and in streamlining process improvements. James lives by the motto that as we rise, we must bring others with us. That was, and remains, the driving force for the creation of James Cooper Consulting LLC.
MEET THE TEAM
Britney Hayes, MS
Career Development Consultant
Britney Hayes, MS (She/Her/Hers) is a seasoned Career Consultant with over five years of experience coaching and teaching in the career development field. She has a passion for supporting career explorers, career seekers, and individuals looking to rise and create growth within their current employment.
In addition to consulting, Britney works at the University of Minnesota as a Senior Student Life and Career Coach in the Undergraduate Program at the Carlson School of Management. She also serves as an adjunct instructor for courses related to the development of career skills and career exploration.
Britney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Counseling and Student Personnel. Well recognized for her significant contributions to the career development field, Britney received the Minnesota Career Development Association’s Irenne Rossman award in 2021.
She is driven to support others to reach their full career potential in life.
Jessica Thompson, MSW
Organization Development Consultant
Jessica Thompson, MSW (She/Her/Hers), actively seeks to support organizational leaders in designing inclusive and affirming workplaces. With over five years of experience as an organizational change researcher and consultant, Jessica draws from her multidisciplinary background in Organizational Development and Learning, Social Work, and Human-centered Design to radically transform organizations into spaces that advance equity.
Jessica’s experience as a Black, low-income, first-generation employee and personal values of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are central to her work. She has provided coaching and support to leaders in various sectors to design people-centered organizations, including the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Lumina Foundation, and Intermediaries for Scale (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-sponsored initiative).
Jessica is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota studying Higher Education. She completed her undergraduate degree in Youth Studies at the University of Minnesota. She received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan.
The culmination of her lived, educational, and professional experiences provides her with a distinctly unique vantage point, positioning her as an active learner, collaborator, and researcher in organizational change.
Shay Marlowe
Career Development Consultant & Talent and Employer Inventory Specialist
Shay Marlowe (He/Him/His) brings nearly 15 years of experience in job placement and career development. Most recently, he served as a diversity recruiter in local government, where he led initiatives to recruit, onboard, and train talent across Minnesota’s 87 counties and 11 sovereign tribal nations—promoting equitable access to professional opportunities. Shay’s expertise includes designing and facilitating training programs centered on employee retention, leadership development, personal awareness, social identity, and cross-cultural engagement. His work empowers individuals and organizations to build inclusive, growth-oriented environments. A passionate advocate for youth and young adult success, Shay actively mentors students through Augsburg University, the University of St. Thomas, Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, and 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Eric Howell
President
Howell Enterprises, LLC
Rashné Jehangir, PhD
Associate Professor of Higher Education & Founding Director of the First Gen Institute University of Minnesota
Heather Ludwig
Retired HR Manager & Professional Career Coach
Tru Pettigrew
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx
Founder & Chief Bridge Builder of Tru Access
Wm. Scott Slattery, phD, LP
Director of Learner Development
University of Minnesota Medical School
Michael J. Stebleton, PhD
Professor and Coordinator of Higher Education
University of Minnesota
Mary Tate
Teresa Truong
Manager of Marketplace Diversity Solutions
TEKSystems
