“Experience Matters – Practical Solutions for Complex Organizational and People Issues.”
L.A. “Skip” Gast is a visionary global Human Resources executive with more than four decades of experience transforming people strategies into tangible business outcomes. Recognized as a trusted connector, Skip combines strategic HR leadership with an innate ability to simplify complexity, foster collaboration, and help organizations navigate rapid growth, cultural transformation, and structural change. His deep knowledge across a wide array of industries—engineering, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, IT, insurance, legal, and manufacturing—makes him a valuable asset to both executive teams and boards alike.
As the current Senior Vice President and Principal at Insight Consulting, Skip serves as a high-impact HR strategist, interim CHRO, OD Consultant and executive coach. In this role, he develops and implements programs that drive business results by aligning talent and leadership strategies with organizational goals. Whether improving talent acquisition pipelines, designing M&A integration plans, or cultivating leadership competencies, Skip brings clarity, focus, and sustainability to each engagement.
Skip’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that effective organizations are built through the alignment of five foundational elements: strategy, structure, process, technology, and talent. This organizational development (OD) framework has served as the backbone of his consulting and executive leadership approach. It enables companies to adapt and thrive, particularly in fast-changing or high-growth environments where people systems must scale quickly and cohesively.
During his 18-year tenure at Black & Veatch, a top-ranked global engineering and consulting firm, Skip held the role of Vice President of Human Resources. He spearheaded the implementation of a global HR business partner (HRBP) model, redesigned the company’s talent acquisition process, and led successful M&A integrations across several regions. These systems have consistently led to measurable improvements in retention, engagement, and business performance including: retention strategies that saved over $1 million annually enterprise wide, increased employee engagement scores by 12% within one year in a business unit, and utilized The Dennison Culture survey to integrate 5 separate businesses into 1 business unit improving synergy, cross functional collaboration and financial performance.
Skip’s leadership has consistently been rooted in trust, results, and people-centered strategy. He has designed leadership development frameworks that support executives and front-line managers alike—utilizing simple, impactful tools like the “One Topic, Once a Month, One Hour” model to deliver practical training on foundational leadership topics. His coaching style is approachable and grounded in real-world business acumen, making him a sought-after advisor for both individuals and teams.
Notably, Skip has extensive experience with global HR transformation. From working on talent strategies in China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to building onboarding programs for contractors in Afghanistan, and working with offshore leadership teams he brings cultural intelligence and operational rigor to international human capital efforts. His cross-cultural insight has helped organizations expand successfully while respecting and leveraging local norms and strengths.
In the nonprofit realm, Skip’s board leadership has spanned healthcare, education, and global development. As Board Chair of Menorah Medical Center and Vibrant Health, he played a central role in strategic planning, CEO onboarding, and board structure design. His tenure at Turner House Children’s Clinic helped grow the organization’s operating budget from $600K to $3M and its team from 3 staff members to 26, a testament to his commitment to sustainable mission-driven growth.
Academically, Skip holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources from Ottawa University and a Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Administration and Human Relations from the University of Kansas, where he also minored in Speech Communications. His technical proficiency spans multiple tools and assessments, including StrengthsFinder, Hogan, Lominger, Denison, and Senn Delaney.
Today, Skip continues to seek opportunities to serve on mission-aligned boards, where he can apply his decades of experience to help organizations grow stronger, more resilient, and people-focused. He brings not only his knowledge and wisdom but a collaborative spirit that elevates those around him.
Character:
Skip leads with integrity, empathy, and a passion for helping others succeed. His approachable leadership style makes him a trusted partner in both corporate and boardroom settings.
Knowledge:
He brings over 40 years of multidisciplinary HR expertise, including talent management, M&A, analytics, and global workforce development, helping organizations adapt with purpose and agility.
Strategic:
A big-picture thinker, Skip connects human capital strategies directly to business outcomes. He excels at simplifying complexity and implementing scalable systems that align with organizational goals.
Communication:
Whether coaching a CEO, leading a board, or guiding a leadership team, Skip communicates with clarity, authenticity, and purpose—ensuring alignment across all levels of the organization.
