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Our Team
We Build Belonging.
With over 20 years of experience in teaching and culture management, our team’s greatest desire is to see each and every client overcome their own specific roadblocks and obstacles — a certainty of both life and business —not simply to keep going, but to keep growing.
Certifications
President / Founder
Traci Newkirk is an award-winning speaker, teacher/ facilitator, and business owner.
As the president and founder of Human Potential Advisors, Traci is laser-focused on helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Her work and community engagement over the past 20+ years has allowed Traci to hone her skills by teaching people to value themselves and others.
She has worked with small-to-medium businesses, Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, churches, chambers of commerce, government agencies, and more. Traci’s ability to provide fully-customizable solutions to each client has been integral to both her and her clients’ continued success. Traci was recognized in 2023 as a SC Women in Business and SC Women of Influence honoree. In 2024, Human Potential Advisors received the Empowering Women award which recognizes companies and organizations that have shown a strong commitment to supporting and elevating women in South Carolina
Prior to launching Human Potential Advisors, Traci co-founded Intellectual Capitol Inc. (ICAP) in 2003. ICAP is an IT Staffing and Consulting company that has grown to over 50 employees. During her time at ICAP, Traci discovered a strong passion for teaching and leading others. Her acumen in this area became an integral part of ICAP’s success. Over the past 20 years, ICAP has been recognized both locally and nationally with the following honors: Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, 25 Fastest Growing Companies in SC, Roaring Twenties (SC Best Performing Companies), and 2016 Greenville Chamber Small Business of the Year.
Traci holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Winthrop University and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Irvine. She is certified in CliftonStrengths, DISC, Enneagram, and Crucial Conversations. She holds several additional certifications through Gallup: 4DX Performance Coach, Engagement, Employing Top Talent, Individual Development, Team Coaching, High-Performance Management, and Entrepreneurship.
Traci is committed to getting involved and investing in her community. She has engaged in multiple capacities within the Greenville Chamber of Commerce as a Board Member (since 2019), MBA Program Coach, Pacesetters Mentor, Leadership Greenville Class 44 Member, Vice Chair of Leadership Development (2019-2021), Vice Chair of Organizational Effectiveness (2022-2023), and in various other committees between 2018-2024. Traci is the current 2025 Board Chair of the Greenville Chamber.
Beyond her work with the Chamber, Traci invests her time mentoring a variety of young professionals and leads various spiritually-based women’s development groups. She also gives of both her time and treasure to the American Heart Association, OLX, United Way of Greenville County, Julie Valentine Center, American Leprosy Mission, Legacy Early College, and Tech Serve Alliance.
Outside of her time serving and working with the business community, Traci enjoys spending time and going on adventures with her husband Barry and their family, leading book club discussions, and connecting with friends – old and new.
Strategic Staffing Consultant
Barry Newkirk’s career in staffing spans over 30 years. He is the “go to” guy for C-Suite executives looking for advice on staffing, building strategic plans and transitioning to a next life career stage.
Senior Accountant
Tina Boalt is invaluable in the accounting role. She makes sure that all clients are invoiced promptly and accurately. She has been with Barry and Traci in previous ventures and her ability to ask the right questions is impactful.
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Emma Aho has a wide-ranging skillset in marketing, graphic design, community relations, and communications. As an incredibly versatile individual, she plans, executes, and manages marketing strategies and communication efforts within the HPA organization.
Emma is passionate about delivering impactful results and continuously seeks innovative ways to elevate the brand and drive its success in a competitive market.
Training and Operations Coordinator
Laura VanWingerden has a strong background in training, operations, and client relations. As a detail-oriented and strategic professional, she ensures smooth processes, clear communication, and thoughtful planning that align with organizational goals.
Laura is passionate about leading with heart, building strong relationships, and providing clients with seamless, positive experiences. She thrives in fast-paced environments, balancing efficiency with care to deliver meaningful results for both customers and teams.
