Why is it called PEAK Education and not PEAK Consulting?

…Because the focus is on LEARNING and GROWING.

I’m Katrina Sten, PHR, founder of PEAK Education and an HR consultant helping small and mid-sized businesses in Maryland and the DC region build compliant, practical people practices.

I spent nearly 20 years in HR and business operations across retail, non-profit, and education. Along the way, I specialized in employee relations and investigations and in labor and employment law compliance. More recently, my focus has been I-9 and immigration compliance for diverse employee workforces, an area where small mistakes can carry large penalties.

I’ve also sat in the owner’s chair. I founded, ran, and later sold a learning school overseas, so I understand what it’s like to make people decisions without an HR department behind you.

I hold the PHR certification and an Executive MBA, and I bring working knowledge of U.S. employment law along with Maryland and Montgomery County requirements. I’m not an attorney, and I’ll always tell you when something calls for one.

What I believe

My values are honesty, transparency, and compliance, delivered through clear, respectful communication. I seek practical approaches that honor the individual while acknowledging the real limits of the business (and the law). The right practices help you hire and keep great people, avoid expensive penalties, and grow with confidence.