About Monarch Endeavors
Monarch Endeavors, LLC (“Monarch”) was founded in 2016 by Julie Sumner, a labor and employment attorney with over 15 years of experience helping employers when they were sued for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and other claims. Although Julie enjoyed helping employers, she became frustrated by the reactive nature of litigation. Indeed, by the time a lawsuit was filed, all she could really do for her clients was perform damage control.
Monarch was born out of that frustration, as a more impactful and effective way to help employers avoid (or at least minimize the risk of) litigation by taking a proactive approach to compliance. We help you stay in compliance with our training and HR Hotline support services.
And when things go wrong, as they inevitably do from time to time, we can help you figure out what happened by providing unbiased, independent investigation services.
But Monarch doesn’t stop at compliance. We work with employers to move beyond compliance to creating a workplace environment where all employees – and as a result, the company as a whole – can excel. We do this through our customized consulting and coaching services.
Our Promise to You:
At Monarch, our motto is “Alis volat propriis,” which is Latin for “She flies with her own wings.” That is what we aim to help you do: fly with your own wings. Our goal is that, one day, you won’t need us anymore (at least not on a regular basis). We will always be here for you, especially when complicated situations arise, but we strive to get you to a point where you feel comfortable handling the vast majority of issues on your own.
Julie Sumner, Founder
Trainer, Investigator, Consultant, Coach
A self-proclaimed “recovering attorney,” Julie combines her legal experience and knowledge with her social worker heart. She has has charted an unconventional career path; spending four years as a social worker in Michigan after graduating from college, and then embarking on a legal career in her 30’s. In July of 2016, Julie left the legal world to pursue entrepreneurial interests.
Julie’s sweet spot is that “Oh, Sh!t!” moment, when companies or individuals are at a loss for how to proceed. Julie has seen and heard a lot during her almost 20 years in the labor and employment & HR world. She uses this experience to help clients navigate sticky situations and find common sense solutions. Her sense of humor also helps to make the best of typically difficult or awkward circumstances!
Julie does still practice law, part-time, as Of Counsel with The Lydia Floyd Law Firm. Her practice focuses on helping small businesses, particularly women-owned businesses, with their legal needs.
Trisha Textor-Gerrity
Chief Training Officer
Trisha has over 10 years of experience in Human Resources and Recruiting. As the Director of Legal Recruiting for a Cleveland-based company, she developed and implemented outreach programs with law schools to educate students on alternative legal careers. She also established an outreach program to offer support to students taking the Ohio Bar exam.
For the last several years, Trisha has been training HR professionals across the country, teaching certificate programs for HR Generalists and Internal Investigations.
Trisha’s passion lies with recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, and talent development. Trisha spends time getting to know your organization, your industry, and your culture, so that she can help you design a talent acquisition and development program that will attract the candidates that are right for you.
Trisha also offers consulting services, providing support to small HR departments who need a little extra help.
Brynna Soth
Project Coordinator
Brynna is a seasoned project manager and creative powerhouse with over 15 years of diverse experience. She thrives on combining strategy, organization, and creativity for clients, having collaborated with a wide range of teams across a multitude of industries.
A proud graduate of the University of Idaho with honors in Theatrical Performance, Brynna’s journey took her from the stage to the bustling streets of Chicago, and then to the vibrant community of Grand Rapids, MI. Her expertise bridges both traditional and digital realms, from handling administrative logistics to driving impactful client marketing campaigns.
Outside of her role at Monarch, Brynna is a passionate content creator, variety streamer, and voice actor. Whether she’s bringing characters to life or crafting innovative client experiences, Brynna is always up for a challenge.
Stephanie Fredrick
Consultant
Stephanie Fredrick is a seasoned human resources and talent development professional with over ten years of experience, bringing expertise in organizational learning and performance enhancement. She holds a master’s degree in human resource management with a focus on fostering change and growth.
A dedicated mom of four, Stephanie enjoys quality time with her family, including her husband and two dogs. Outside of her professional life, Stephanie finds joy in the outdoors, traveling to warm destinations, crocheting, and unwinding with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
