Carmen Canales

Carmen Canales is an award-winning human resources executive and trusted advisor who helps organizations navigate transformation, elevate leadership, and build people strategies that drive results. As the founder of Channels Consulting, she delivers practical, high-impact solutions to clients across industries during times of change, growth, and reinvention.
Carmen brings deep executive experience in sectors including financial services, healthcare, legal, higher education, senior living, construction consulting, and consumer goods. Her background includes roles at PepsiCo, Wells Fargo, Wake Forest University, and leading healthcare and legal organizations.
She specializes in:
• Fractional and interim HR leadership
• Executive and team coaching
• Organizational and HR team assessments
• Leadership development and retreat design
• Culture, change, and engagement strategy
• Executive search and talent acquisition
Known for her clarity, candor, and commitment to engagement and belonging, Carmen also is a dynamic speaker on talent, inclusion, and leadership. Her work has been recognized by HRO Today (CHRO of the Year), the National Diversity Council (Top 100 HR Professional), and Diversity MBA (Top 25 Inclusive Leader).
She holds a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations degree from Michigan State University, where she serves on the School’s Advisory Board, and has been appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to statewide boards and councils.