Colleen MalmassariSHRM-CP, PHR

My great, great grandparents homesteaded in the Dryden, WA area and were some of the first settlers to start a pear orchard, making me a fifth-generation farmer in the Upper Valley of Wenatchee. The spirit of cultivating your own business passed through family members, led me to pursue courses in agribusiness.

I graduated from Central Washington University with bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Spanish. I began my career in public accounting, providing assurance and tax services to many agricultural family-run businesses. About six years into my public accounting career, I became involved in recruiting and was instantaneously hooked on honing my skills in the Human Resources field.

In 2013, I was hired in my first HR role with a small credit union. However, the Agriculture industry continued to call my name. So, for the past decade, I’ve helped lead HR teams at two different large Agriculture family-run businesses. And in 2021, I joined Larson Gross to implement and lead the firm’s HR consulting services practice, helping clients cultivate their businesses and create improved workplaces for their team members.

To help strengthen our communities and future generations, she currently volunteers with the Cashmere Museum & Pioneer Village, the board of the local SHRM chapter, and with Safety Advocacy Growth Empowerment (SAGE), a Wenatchee-based nonprofit committed to ending violence. Outside of work, she enjoys DIY and home improvement projects, cheering on her daughter & teammates from the sidelines of the soccer pitch, outdoor recreation, and any excuse to coordinate a family costume!