James Cooper Consulting is a multi-service career & organization development consulting group empowering people with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to accomplish their desired career goals or execute positive change 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 Program Coordinator for the Cargill thrive scholarship program which focuses on the academic and career success of women, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), agriculture, and business. She also serves as an adjunct instructor for courses related to the development of career skills.
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 that are responsive to employees and local communities. With over five years of experience as an organizational change/transformation researcher and consultant, Jessica draws from her multidisciplinary background in Organizational Development and Learning, Social Work, and Human-centered Design to challenge the status quo and radically transform organizations into spaces that center and advance equity.
Jessica’s personal 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 a wide variety of 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’s educational background includes a Doctorate of Philosophy – Higher Education (anticipated graduation May 2023), Master of Social Work – Community Organizing and Social Systems, and Bachelor of Science – Youth Studies.
The culmination of her lived, educational, research, and professional experiences provide her with a distinctly unique vantage point that positions her to be an active learner, collaborator, and researcher in organizational change/transformation.
Hamilton (J.) Hines
Marketing & Communications Manager
Hamilton (J.) Hines (He/Him/His) processes an excitement for maximizing success at the intersection of technology, education, and commerce. Hamilton began his career as an Advertising Account Executive at Gannett’s USA Today Network where he worked with several stakeholders to coordinate the deployment of multimedia marketing campaigns including print, digital, and online products. He began his career in Information Technology as a Corporate Recruiter in Enterprise Resource Planning for several Fortune 500 companies. Currently, Hamilton works as Software Implementation Project Manager at SPS Commerce where he manages the implementation of cloud based electronic data interchange that connects retailers to their trading partners. Hamilton earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sales and Marketing Management from Purdue University. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he currently serves on the Executive Committee and also recently served as the immediate past President of the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences Alumni Board.
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
