About — Zero Gravity HR

About Zero Gravity HR

HR shouldn't feel like dead weight

We started Zero Gravity HR to give growing teams the structure and protection of a full HR department — without the cost, the complexity, or the fine print.

Meet the Founder

Barb Mack — Founder & Principal HR Consultant

I bring more than 20 years of experience across leadership, HR, healthcare operations, consulting, employee relations, compliance, organizational development, training, and leadership development.

HR wasn't where I started. I came into the profession after years of being a leader who experienced HR from the other side of the table — and that perspective still shapes how I practice today.

Throughout my career I've worked alongside some truly exceptional HR professionals. I've also experienced HR that was rigid, overly reactive, disconnected from the business, or simply wrong. What I came to understand is that poor HR usually isn't the result of bad intentions. Sometimes people are undertrained, misinformed, or so focused on policy and risk that they lose sight of the people and the business behind the issue.

One experience stayed with me. During a union strike, HR reached a conclusion about an ordinary, non-work-related conversation I'd had with members of my team — without first asking what actually happened. For me, the lesson wasn't about unions, or even the strike. It was about the importance of gathering facts before reaching conclusions, and recognizing that protecting an organization doesn't require abandoning judgment, fairness, or humanity.

Experiences like that made me believe HR could be better — and I wanted to be part of making it better.

Why I founded Zero Gravity HR

Zero Gravity HR grew from that same belief. Over the years I've seen the enormous difference great HR can make. I've also seen business owners struggle with complicated people issues, conflicting information, overly legalistic advice, or guidance that technically answers a question but doesn't help them figure out what to actually do next.

I wanted to create something different — a way to give small and growing businesses access to experienced, practical HR leadership without necessarily needing a full-time senior HR professional.

My approach balances compliance and risk management with the reality that there are actual human beings on both sides of every workplace issue. I don't believe good HR automatically takes the employee's side or management's side. Good HR asks questions, understands the facts, explains the options and risks, and helps leaders make fair, informed, legally sound, and practical decisions.

I also don't believe HR should be the department of "no." Sometimes the answer really is no — but when it is, I want clients to understand why, and, whenever possible, what they can do instead.

Teaching is a big part of how I consult. I've spent more than a decade as a college instructor, and I bring that same philosophy to my clients: I don't just want to tell someone what to do — I want them to understand why, so they become stronger, more confident leaders.

Ultimately, I built the kind of HR consulting firm I would have wanted when I was sitting on the other side of the table: experienced, candid, practical, approachable, and willing to listen before jumping to an answer.

What We Believe

HR made weightless

Facts before conclusions

We ask questions and understand what actually happened before we advise. Fairness and judgment aren't at odds with protecting your business.

Human on both sides

There are real people on every side of a workplace issue. Good HR helps leaders make decisions that are fair, informed, and legally sound.

Never just "no"

When the answer is no, we'll tell you why — and, whenever possible, what you can do instead.

We teach, not just tell

We want you to understand the "why," so you come out of every engagement a stronger, more confident leader.

Credentials & Experience

SHRM-SCP — SHRM Senior Certified Professional
PHR — Professional in Human Resources
Six Sigma Green Belt
CHAM — Certified Healthcare Access Manager
10+ years as a college instructor in healthcare & patient-access education
20+ years across leadership, HR, and healthcare operations

Who We Serve

We specialize in healthcare and professional-service organizations — teams that are growing fast, carry real compliance obligations, and can't afford an HR misstep, but aren't ready for a full-time HR department.

If that's you, you're exactly who we built this for.

Let's Talk

Let's take HR off your plate

The first conversation is free — and there's no pressure. We'll get to know your team and show you exactly how we can help.

Book a Free Consult