About Human Capital Associates

Human Capital Associates (HCA) is an HR Consulting Group focused on providing practical, tactical and strategic Human Resources solutions for privately-held companies, non-profit organizations and professional service firms throughout Northwest Pennsylvania.

Our Human Resources expertise includes: Talent Acquisition, Executive Search and Recruitment, Organizational Design and Effectiveness, Compensation Analysis and Structure, Employee Engagement, HR Analytics and outsourced Human Resources services.

Abigail Lechner

Abigail Lechner

Principal

Abby Lechner, Principal Owner of Human Capital Associates (HCA), has worked in multiple Human Resources capacities for 20+ years. Her practice is focused on providing practical, tactical and strategic Human Resources solutions for privately-held companies, non-profit organizations and professional services firms throughout Northwest Pennsylvania.

A sampling of Abby’s Human Resources expertise includes: Talent Acquisition, Executive Search and Recruitment, Organizational Design and Effectiveness, Strategic Planning, Compensation Analysis and Structure, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, HR Analytics and outsourced Human Resources services.

Abby earned an Executive Master of Human Resource Management from Cornell University in 2019. She also graduated from Xavier University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resource Management (cum laude).

Abby is an Erie, PA native and graduate of Villa Maria Academy. Abby, her husband, Matt, and their twin daughters take pride in being members of the Erie, PA community. She gives back to the community that has brought her both great personal and professional fulfillment.

Abby has served in the following volunteer capacities:

  • Officer, UPMC Hamot Health Foundation Board of Corporators & Annual Corporator Campaign Chairperson
  • Board Member, Erie Catholic Preparatory School – Cathedral Prep, Villa Maria Academy & Mother Teresa Academy
  • Board Member, Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network
  • Board Member, Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS)
  • Executive Committee Member, American Heart Association 2019 Heart Ball
  • Member, Erie Community Foundation Women’s Fund
  • Member, Manufacturer and Business Association of Northwest Pennsylvania
  • Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Erie Ambassador, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
  • Committee Chairperson, Erie Irish Festival
  • Member, St. Patrick Catholic Church
  • Member, St. Jude School PTO
  • Former Board Member, Housing and Neighborhood Development Service (HANDS)
  • Former Board Officer & Special Events Chairperson, Erie Art Museum
  • Former Board of Corporators Member, St. Vincent Health Center
  • Former Development Committee Member, Inner-City Neighborhood Art House
  • Former Committee Member, Erie County Historical Society Farm to Table Dinner
  • Former Committee Member, Niagara League Mariner’s Ball
  • Former Committee Member, Catholic Charities Ball

What some of our clients are saying...

SSJ Neighborhood Network

SSJ Neighborhood Network

Heather May Caspar, Executive Director

The Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network Board of Directors hired Human Capital Associates to guide the Board and Staff through development of a new, 5-year strategic plan. Abby’s inclusive process wrapped the Board’s needs, crucial input from Staff, and informative survey results from community stakeholders into a document with practical insight and actionable goals...read more

Crime Victim Center Board of Directors

Crime Victim Center Board of Directors

Mark Murphy, President, Crime Victim Center Board of Directors

The Crime Victim Center Board of Directors hired Abby Lechner to help us develop a long range strategic plan. Despite our 40+ year history in Erie County, we felt it was time for a plan that addressed the changing social views of sexual assault and ensured that every victim in Erie County was being served...read more

E.E. Austin & Son, Inc.

E.E. Austin & Son, Inc.

Peter Austin

Abby helped us through a recent recruitment effort for an important position in our concrete division. She suggested the best resources for candidates, and her advice continued throughout the process. We used Abby’s skills assessment services to evaluate the candidates we felt best...read more

Smith Provision Company

Smith Provision Company

John R. Weber, President

Abby Lechner of Human Capital Associates is the consummate Human Resources professional. She is experienced, smart, insightful, organized and works tirelessly on behalf of my business...read more

Smith Provision Company

Smith Provision Company

Sara L. Kallner, Vice President, Sales & Marketing

As a Consultant, Abby Lechner has treated Smith’s to insightful and thoughtful strategic planning regarding our policies, procedures and future growth, while embracing our Company’s culture and values...read more

Federal Resources Corporation

Federal Resources Corporation

Angela M. Gutierrez, PHR SHRM-CP, Human Resources Director

Federal Resources Corporation recently relied on Abby Lechner’s expertise to deliver customized leadership training. In addition to facilitating multiple sessions, she met with us in advance to ensure she accurately captured...read more

Griffith Properties

Griffith Properties

Michelle Griffith-Aresco, President

Abby was instrumental in finding the right person for our Controller position. She understood the dynamics of our office setting, along with the importance of the necessary skillsets and traits needed for success...read more

Team Hardinger

Team Hardinger

H. Bender, President, Team Hardinger

We turned to Abby Lechner and Human Capital Associates for our recent search for a Sales & Marketing Analyst. Abby took the time to understand our team, the expectations of this role, and most importantly, the impact this role will have on our company. Following an aggressive search, Abby brought several talented candidates...read more

Montessori Regional Charter School

Montessori Regional Charter School

Craig Palmer, President, MRCS Board of Trustees

The Montessori Regional Charter School (MRCS) hired Abby Lechner to lead a high profile CEO search, recruitment and evaluation process. She immersed herself in the project, taking the time needed to understand the needs and culture of the school. Abby performed an exhaustive exploration of the marketplace...read more

Plastikos

Plastikos

Robert Cooney, Manufacturing Manager

Human Capital Associates has been a strategic partner of ours in filling critical positions. I truly appreciate Abby’s level of passion and detail for what she does in assessing the potential fit for any candidate within our organization...read more