Resource Team

 Judy Brandt

Judy has worked with Penumbra Group since 2004 and is a recognized speaker, consultant and HR professional with more than 20 years of experience in human resources management. Judy's work with FORTUNE 500 companies and the international community has earned her a unique reputation as an authority in assisting organizations recruit and retain top talent. As Head of Staffing for Allergan, a $4+ billion pharmaceutical company, Judy played a key role in recruiting the most skilled employees in all areas. She developed management training programs and implemented successful talent acquisition systems which included the Career Center on the Allergan website.

She has proven to be an engaging and forceful speaker at local and national events, is active in several professional and community organizations. Judy is Past President of the Orange County Chapter of the National Human Resources Association is active in NAWBO Orange County.

After earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Judy spent several years in Mexico City teaching English and managing a private language school. She is fluent in Spanish.

In 2002, following 10 successful years at Allergan, Judy launched her own consulting practice, Fox & Company. She consults with organizations, large and small, in establishing successful hiring processes and management training programs.

 Rhonda Askeland

Rhonda has worked as a performance consultant for Penumbra Group since 2005 and brings with her a twenty-year background in organizational development and training working with leaders at all levels “ from C-level to individual contributors. She has her own consulting business and has worked for training companies Blessing/White and Cahners TRACOM. She has worked with leaders in Fortune 500 companies like Fox Entertainment, Hewlett-Packard, Sony Electronics, Southland Corporation, and SC Johnson, as well as government agencies and a university system.

Consulting to Fortune 500 organizations on human performance and organizational development needs, she uses gap and needs analysis, performance tools, assessments and coaching. She has helped organizations increase performance through their people.

 Christina Helm

Christina has worked with Penumbra Group since 2005 and is an independent Business Consultant focused on organizational and individual professional development; with specific/ primary salient strengths/expertise in organizational change management, coaching and training, group facilitation and strategic planning.

 Steve Friedlein

A gifted communicator, facilitator and coach, Steve Friedlein brought his highly consultative development approach to Penumbra in 2003. Since then he has helped hundreds of participants develop new skills and improve performance. Steve's extensive experience in leadership, management and skills development allows him to deliver individualized learning in coaching, as well as group interventions. Working in a variety of organizational settings, Steve has particular expertise in national retail, healthcare, government and education. Before joining Penumbra, he led JCPenney's Leadership Development unit for Direct Marketing Services, managed HR projects for JCPenney Credit, and was a Store Manager for Hartmarx Retail Specialty Stores.

Steve is certified in the TRACOM suite of communication style programs, including Social Styles, which includes a 360-degree feedback instrument.

Steve is a graduate of Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota and holds a degree in Education. His career has taken him and his family from Southern California to Plano, Texas. They have now settled into their family farm in Northwestern Minnesota.