Kona HR’s founding partners came together after many years in the consulting and corporate management world to provide a unique blend of leading-edge advice, practical solutions and financial focus to organizations of all sizes.

In addition to our founding partners, Kona HR brings an extensive network of specialists to meet our clients’ evolving needs. Our extended team covers the spectrum of HR specialists – from actuaries and ERISA attorneys to graphic design artists.

Sarah L. Kelly

Sarah consults with organizations to maximize investment in and demonstrate the value of human resources programs. Sarah’s experience spans all aspects of human resource management. She brings FORTUNE 500 experience to companies across all sectors of business and not-for-profit organizations.

Sarah has extensive experience in the consulting field, including more than 10 years with Hewitt Associates. In addition, Sarah has international experience in both Europe and Asia Pacific—she lived overseas for 12 years. Based in Singapore and Hong Kong , Sarah helped expand Hewitt’s business in the Greater China market setting up three offices and managing relationships with clients’ regional headquarters.

Sarah built Hewitt’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice in Asia . In the context of M&A and broad business restructuring, she specializes in organizational effectiveness, change management and human resource issues.

Sarah has worked with numerous organizations including the Coca-Cola Company, Environmental Data Resources, General Electric, Greenwich Hospital , InTown Suites, Pfizer, Region One School District of Connecticut and the Shelton Board of Education.

Sarah has published a number of articles on human resource-related topics in China Staff and China Employment Manual, Asia Law & Practice and has been a frequent speaker on international topics.

Sarah is fluent in spoken Mandarin and written Chinese as well as Spanish. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and a Masters from the University of Virginia .

Vincent J. Kelly Jr.

Vince works with organizations to assess their human resources needs and identify opportunities to improve their effectiveness. In this role, he assists organizations across the spectrum of human resources activities including strategy development, compliance, employee benefit design, financing, administration and communication.

Vince has been in the employee benefits and human resources consulting field for more than 25 years. He was a Consultant and Partner at Hewitt Associates for over 20 years, where he helped to expand Hewitt’s presence in the Metropolitan New York region. In addition to developing Hewitt’s consulting, actuarial, health management and administration business, he also managed several of Hewitt’s largest global accounts. In this capacity, he coordinated consulting and administrative services in Asia , Europe and South America for North American multinational organizations. Prior to Hewitt, Vince worked in the Employee Benefits division at Aetna Financial Services. Vince started his career working in the White House as a member of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.

Vince has worked with organizations across a range of industries including financial services, education, hospitality and manufacturing. Some of the organizations Vince has served include: Credit Suisse First Boston, General Electric, Greenwich Hospital , InTown Suites, Pitney Bowes, Episcopal Social Services of New York , Salisbury Bank & Trust and Yale University .

Vince earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington , D.C. He was also inducted in The Catholic University of America’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of their 1977 N.C.A.A. Division I baseball team.

Robert F. Toole Jr.

Rob helps organizations across all aspects of human resources with particular focus on finance and compliance. His experience as an executive brings a unique point of view to human resources consulting.

Rob was previously Chief Operating Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of International Operations for META Group Inc.; an independent marketing assessment company that provides research and analysis of developments and trends in the computer hardware, software, communications and related technology industries.

Rob also spent many years as a human resources consultant for Hewitt Associates as well as R. F. Toole Associates. Rob has provided human resources solutions to many organizations including Environmental Data Resources, IBM, Liberty Resources, Sony, Syracuse Community Health Center , Verizon and WYNIT.

His experience includes leadership with the United States Army. Rob served as an infantry officer and held leadership positions in the 10th Mountain Division. Rob earned the Airborne, Ranger, Air Assault, Jungle Expert and Pathfinder qualifications while in the Army. Rob achieved the rank of Captain. Rob holds a Bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point , and a Masters from the New York University Stern School of Business in Finance and International Business. Rob also holds the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation. Rob was named one of Syracuse ’s “40 under 40” leading executives in 2003.

Rob serves on many community boards including: Liberty Resources, Inc., a non-profit agency that provides a wide range of community services including adult, child and family, and developmental disability services; the River Hospital in Alexandria Bay , New York ; the Manlius Library Board of Trustees and the Diocese of Syracuse Religious Retirement Fund Committee. Rob is Treasurer of the Cavalry Veterans of Syracuse as well as Treasurer of the Thousand Islands Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society.