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Group 3

Resource Library

Assessment
for Selection

Group 3

Resource Library

Introduction to
Assessments

Learn more about how the SKS Team partners with you to provide exceptional service and meaningful insights.

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Access information about Assessment for Development here.

The Selection Assessment Process: Key Steps and Milestones

Request Submission

Complete the SKS Assessment Request form.

Send the SKS Assessment Request form, along with:

Candidate’s resume (a link to their LinkedIn profile page may suffice if the resume is unavailable), a job description for the role you are looking to fill, and any other contextual information that it would be helpful for us to know to [email protected].

Introductory Communication

The SKS team reaches out to the candidate via phone or email.

We walk the candidate through the steps of the evaluation process, answer any questions, and work with the candidate to schedule their interview (and work simulation, if applicable).

Talent Screens

  • Typically used as a preliminary screening tool rather than as a means of robust assessment. Talent screens include personality inventories, problem solving measures, and a critical thinking appraisal.
  • A talent screen can be used to assess candidates’ preferences and capabilities in order to provide an initial evaluation of their fit for a given role.
  • The time commitment for a candidate is approximately 3 hours and does not include an interview with a consultant. 

Talent Evaluations

  • Include personality, problem solving, and critical thinking assessments, alongside an interview with a SKS Consultant to provide additional context regarding the candidate’s experiences, approach to others, self-insight, strengths, and development opportunities.
  • Talent evaluations can be used to provide insight around potential for growth and development and to assess a candidate’s behavior and presence, in addition to their preferences and capabilities, in order to identify and target key strengths to leverage and opportunity areas to address.
  • The time commitment for a candidate is approximately 4 hours.
  • This level of assessment is most appropriate for high impact individual contributors.

Candidate Question:

Why am I being asked to complete an SKS Talent Assessment?

Talent assessments are used to identify your aspirations, motivations, strengths, and developmental needs. These attributes are analyzed with respect to the demands of your role as well as opportunities for enhancing your job performance and professional growth.

Candidate Question:

How are hiring decisions made?

Hiring decisions are always made following thorough consideration of all the information gleaned from the talent acquisition process (e.g., interviews, resume, references, assessments, etc.).

Candidate Question:

What role does the SKS Talent Evaluation play in the selection decision process?

The SKS Talent Evaluation is one data point of many in the process.

Initial Notice from HR & Organizational Sponsor

  • The organization will notify the candidate/participant of the initiation of the assessment process and the partnership with SKS Consulting Group. This notification can be done verbally, or in writing via email, and should include the following:
    • An explanation of why the candidate is being asked to participate in a leadership assessment, administered by SKS Consulting (for instance, “as a part of the selection process for ________ role at ________ organization” or “as an investment in your ongoing professional development and growth”).
    • A link to the SKS website, wherein the entire assessment process is outlined in detail here.
    • A connection to the SKS Client Services Team ([email protected] or 952-926-9852).
    • A reminder that an SKS Client Services Coordinator will be reaching out to initiate the process.

Introductory Communication

The SKS Client Services Team will reach out to the identified candidate/participant via phone or email. A Client Services Team member will walk the individual through the steps in the assessment process, answer any questions they may have and provide guidance around next steps. The Client Services Team member will also work with the candidate to schedule their interview with an SKS Consultant at this time.

Email Invitation

The SKS Client Services Team will send a welcome communication and links to the online testing portal and work simulation (if applicable) to the candidate/participant via email.

Meet Our Team

Partners

Marie Anderson, Psy.D.

SKS Partner

David Donnay, Ph.D.

SKS Partner

Heather Mortensen, Ph.D.

SKS Partner

Nathan Whittier, Psy.D.

SKS Partner

Consultants

Jennifer Shepard, Psy.D

Talent Assessment Consultant

Megan Lowery, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Katie Pesch, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Sarah Jensen, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Diane Govern, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Marina Mery, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Yi Du, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Savana Holmes, Ph.D.

Talent Assessment Consultant

Client Services & Operations

Melissa Robinson, MBA

Business Operations Leader

Jeremiah McMillan, Ph.D.

Lead Data Scientist

Phillip Starns, MS

Data Analyst, People Analytics

Jessie Collins

Client Services Lead, Project Specialist

Mimmie Sjöberg

Client Services Coordinator, Operations Specialist

Lindsay Woodworth

Client Services Coordinator

Taylor March

Client Services Coordinator

Michael Torborg

Client Services Coordinator

Casey Hale

Marketing & Client Relations Coordinator

Alice Meichsner

Administrative Assistant

Questions?

Connect with our Client Services team!

Email Us

[email protected]

Call Us

952.926.9852

Let's stay in touch!

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Marie Anderson, Psy.D., Partner

Dr. Anderson has a passion for applying psychological principles and assessment data to enhance decision making and maximize performance. She is specifically focused in the areas of selection and development of key talent. Dr. Anderson’s approach is system oriented and solution driven. The results are high performing individuals and teams that drive results for the business. She has served as a trusted HR and Management partner for over a decade, helping individuals, teams and organizations turn insight into action. Dr. Anderson has insight and knowledge gained from working as an internal consultant at a global medical device company for many years, as well as from owning and managing her own business prior to joining SKS Consulting Group. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University.

Education
University of Saint Thomas – Doctor of Psychology, Counseling Psychology, 2007 – 2011
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Therapy, 2004 – 2006
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2002 – 2004
Purdue University – Psychology, Women’s Studies, 2001 – 2002

David Donnay, Ph.D., Partner

Dr. Donnay develops leaders and transforms organizations. He has nearly two decades of experience in applied psychology in business settings. He is known for his business acumen and strategic thinking as well as his knowledge of psychology. Widely considered an expert in assessment for selection and development, he also brings expertise in coaching and succession planning. His research and consulting career over the past 20 years has focused on the long-term prediction of leadership and career success. 

Earlier in his career, Dr. Donnay led research, product development, and professional services for a global publishing and consulting organization. Dr. Donnay advises organizations on a wide range of strategic issues such as selecting and developing leadership talent, identifying and preparing future leaders, and aligning and accelerating team performance. Dr. Donnay is also on the Board of Trustees of Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Education
Iowa State University – Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, 1993 – 1998
St. John’s University – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 1989 – 1993

Heather Mortensen, Ph.D., Partner

For more than fifteen years, Dr. Mortensen has improved the quality of organizational decision-making in the critical areas of selection and development. She has an exceptional talent for providing empirically driven yet practical solutions that select, develop, and engage leaders and talent at all levels. She is dedicated to making assessment data applicable for individuals to excel personally and professionally and for organizations to understand how people function on the job. She has a keen ability to identify and then maximize and grow the capabilities and competencies of human resources to the fullest. Dr. Mortensen is passionate about maximizing organizational effectiveness by leveraging data, developing individuals, and building teams. Dr. Mortensen performed as an internal organizational psychologist for a Fortune 100 company where she provided practical and results-focused solutions. Just prior to joining SKS she successfully led a learning and development function for one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems.

Education
University of Minnesota – Ph.D., Counseling Psychology (Occupational Health focus), 2001 – 2007
University of Minnesota – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 1996 – 2000

Nate Whittier Psy.D. Partner

Since joining SKS in 2006, Dr. Whittier has partnered with a variety of organizations to enhance the quality of decision-making in the critical areas of selection and development of key talent. He has considerable experience working across diverse industries such as manufacturing, retail, finance, health care, and information technology. Clients appreciate Dr. Whittier’s high level of responsiveness and he has effectively maintained strong partner relationships over the past decade. He has conducted thousands of leadership assessments at all levels within organizations. Dr. Whittier is proficient at making assessment data highly relevant and useful beyond the hiring decision. Solution-focused coaching and onboarding and transition planning are additional areas of expertise. Dr. Whittier is a Board Certified Organizational and Business Consulting Psychologist, a credential recognizing advanced competence within the specialty.

Education
Wright State University – Doctor of Psychology, 2001 – 2006
Wright State University – Master of Business Administration, 2002 – 2005
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire – Bachelor of Science, Psychology, 1996 – 2000

Jennifer Shepard, Psy.D., Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Jennifer Shepard is a Senior Talent Assessment Consultant with SKS Consulting Group. She graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Business Administration from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania in 2018. Throughout her training, Dr. Shepard focused heavily on the integration of psychology and business, specifically on the application of psychological principles to support leadership development and cultivate positive organizational cultures. She brings several years of experience working with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, where she consulted directly with healthcare leaders to drive employee engagement. In all of her work, Dr. Shepard strives to fully understand the “whole person”, using data driven approaches to support leaders on the individual, team, and organizational level. She is passionate about partnering with leaders to facilitate better understanding of themselves and others through the use of assessment data, and to use these insights to make decisions, set goals, and take action to reach desired outcomes.

Education:

Widener University – Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and Master of Business Administration, 2018

Megan Lowery, Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Lowery brings several years of experience helping build organizational cultures that develop and support leadership at all levels. She believes people are an organization’s most valuable resource, and she helps clients leverage data-driven insights to enable talent to thrive both personally and professionally. With technical expertise in psychometric assessment and experience working across industries, she brings a passion for helping people be their best selves at work and beyond. Dr. Lowery holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Georgia and has published research in top academic journals, authored thought leadership whitepapers, and spoken at international conferences to share the latest advancements in talent selection and development, job performance and satisfaction, and employee well-being.

Education:
University of Georgia – Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2016 – 2019
East Carolina University – M.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2014 – 2016
Virginia Tech – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Business Leadership, 2011 – 2014

Katie Pesch, Ph.D., Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Pesch is a Talent Assessment Consultant with SKS Consulting Group. She graduated with her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University, where she studied vocational psychology. Her teaching and research activities revolved around career development, person-environment fit, and vocational assessment. She also brings extensive experience in integrated personality assessment to her role.

Education:
Iowa State University – Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, 2011 – 2017
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities – B.A., Psychology, 2006 – 2009

Sarah Jensen, Ph.D., Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Jensen is a Talent Assessment Consultant with SKS Consulting Group. She earned a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and a Master’s degree in Vocational Counseling from Portland State University. She has published research in top academic journals, authored business press articles, and has experience working across industries. Her research activities and interests revolve around individual differences, person-environment fit, employee potential, and career development. Dr. Jensen brings a passion for helping people optimize their potential and enhance their capabilities across the organization and utilizes a whole person approach in working with organizations to make data informed decisions regarding talent.

Education:
Florida Institute of Technology – Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2023
Portland State University – M.S., Vocational Counseling
Pacific University – BS, Psychology

Diane Govern, Ph.D., Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Govern is a seasoned leadership consultant who partners with clients to maximize the impact of their people through talent assessment and leadership development. She believes effective leadership is the key ingredient for employee well-being and organizational success. With a strong foundation in industrial and organizational psychology, Dr. Govern combines her expertise in data analytics and executive assessment to guide clients in selecting and nurturing top talent across industries. She helps organizations make informed, strategic decisions about leadership potential at all levels. Her experience spans diverse sectors, including manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and nonprofits. She has also led talent initiatives for a nationwide construction labor management firm, designing leadership and sales curricula. Earlier in her career, Dr. Govern developed and validated selection protocols for highly scrutinized civil service roles, honing her psychometric and project management expertise. Her comprehensive approach empowers clients to achieve long-term success through strong leadership and effective talent strategies.

Education
The University of Akron, Ph.D in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (1997)
Bowling Green State University, BS in Psychology

Marina Mery, Ph.D., Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Marina Mery is recent graduate of the Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology doctoral program at the University of Oklahoma (OU). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy and her Master’s degree in Psychology from Tulane University. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a research data coordinator for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, coordinating quality of life studies for breast cancer patients. Her primary research interests focus on ethical decision-making in online contexts and impact of social media use on attitudes and behaviors. She is excited to leverage her extensive education in I/O psychology and experience in research methodology to assist organizations in meaningfully interpreting data to facilitate informed personnel decisions. 

Education
University of Oklahoma – Ph.D., Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2022
Tulane University – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Philosophy
Masters Degree, Psychology

Yi Du, Ph.D., Talent Assessment Consultant 

Dr. Du is a Talent Assessment Consultant with SKS Consulting Group. She graduated with her Ph.D. in
Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University and completed her pre- and post-doctoral training at
University of California, Berkeley. She received extensive training on counseling, human development,
and vocational/psychological assessment. Prior to joining SKS, Dr. Du worked primarily with adults in
higher education and provided coaching, counseling, and psychological evaluation to individuals from
diverse groups in the community.

Education

Iowa State University – Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, 2010 – 2016

Savana Holmes, Ph.D., Talent Assessment Consultant

Dr. Holmes graduated with her Ph.D. and M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Cultural & Global Studies from Central Michigan University. She believes in a system oriented, empirical approach to identifying and developing top talent while retaining practicality and utility. She utilizes insights from applied experience in custom assessment to maximize the potential of the workforce via hiring solutions. With technical expertise in psychometric assessment, training, and development, she has a passion for enabling talent to achieve their highest potential.
 
Education:
Central Michigan University – Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2022-2024
M.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2020-2022
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Cultural & Global Studies, 2017-2020,

Melissa Robinson, MBA, Business Operations Leader

Melissa is the Business Operations Leader at SKS Consulting Group. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BS in Actuarial Science and an MBA from St Cloud State University with additional studies in leadership at St. Catherine University. Leveraging a background in financial and operational performance, she excels in budgeting, forecasting, and analysis to address operational inefficiencies, drive performance excellence, and strategically improve or create solutions for successful outcomes. With a solution- and action- oriented mindset, she is excited to be surrounded by intelligent and driven colleagues and to expand impact on the business community. 

Jeremiah McMillan, Ph.D., Lead Data Scientist

Dr. McMillan has extensive training in applying scientifically rigorous methods and state-of-the-art statistical models to optimize effective talent selection and management. He has several years’ experience developing and validating cognitive and non-cognitive psychological assessments with a specialty in computerized adaptive testing and gamified assessment. He has published and presented his psychometrics-related research internationally. He is passionate about developing data tools and products to improve insights for internal and external SKS stakeholders alike.

Education
University of Georgia – Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, 2019

Phillip Starns, MS, Data Analyst, People Analytics

Phillip graduated from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri in 2019 where he received his BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. His passion for learning led him to Missouri State University where he was awarded a Master of Science degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with an emphasis in Research Design and Statistical Methodology. After his academic career Phillip leveraged his data collecting, cleaning, and analysis expertise to help drive meaningful change within various federal and private organizations. Phillip’s analytical, yet creative, problem-solving approach makes him a unique asset to the SKS Data Analytics Team.

Education
Missouri State University – Master of Science, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, 2019 – 2021
Truman State University – Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2015 – 2019

Jessie Collins, Client Services Lead, Project Specialist

Jessie is a Client & Assessment Coordinator with SKS Consulting Group. She graduated from Minnesota State University with a B.A. where she studied psychology. Supported by her experience in customer service, she is passionate about delivering high quality service efficiently. She is passionate about helping others, excels in tailoring her approach for each person, and enjoys talking with both candidates and clients.

Mimmie Sjoberg, Client Services Coordinator, Operations Specialist

Mimmie She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a BA in Technical Theatre and a Minor in Business. Equipped with over a decade of customer service experience, she is dedicated to providing the highest quality support to candidates and clients alike. Her passion for people and can-do attitude proves to be invaluable in providing an exceptional SKS experience. With an eagerness to foster and grow client and candidate relationships, Mimmie looks forward to working with you.

Lindsay Woodworth, Client Services Coordinator

Lindsay graduated from Argosy University with a BA in Psychology. Lindsay has several years of administrative and operational experience and has a passion for the field of Psychology. Her strength in multitasking, strong organizational skills, and a drive for success make Lindsay a valued member of the operations team. Lindsay also brings a strong interpersonal dynamic to SKS Consulting Group, and she is motivated to provide a professional and personable experience for clients, candidates, and colleagues.

Taylor March, Client Services Coordinator

Taylor is a Client Services Coordinator with SKS Consulting Group. She graduated from Iowa State University cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. With a background in client and customer relations, she excels in calendar management, time management, multitasking, and customer service. She has an expertise in providing a quality and supportive candidate experience and excels in providing accurate and quality work in order to ensure positive client and candidate relationships.

Michael Torborg, Client Services Coordinator​

Michael graduated from Metropolitan State University with a BS in Business Administration. He has many years of experience in scheduling and customer service, making him an effective communicator who can prioritize client needs. Being driven by his desire to help others, Michael is motivated to provide the best possible experience for everyone at SKS. Time management, detailed organization, and being a team player are skills that Michael uses to create strong foundations with his clients and team members alike.

Casey Hale, Marketing & Client Relations Coordinator

Casey graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she received her BA in Psychology with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is detail-oriented, has a can-do attitude, and has been regularly recognized for her personable yet professional approach in the workplace. With her passion for making connections, Casey excels at effectively communicating the SKS values, products, and services to our clients and potential clients alike.

Alice Meichsner, Administrative Assistant

Alice is the Administrative Assistant at SKS Consulting Group. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2022 with a BA in English. She is known for her enthusiasm and strong interpersonal skills. Using her background in communication and a detail-oriented mindset, she excels in customer relations and office management. With a passion for “people first” business models, she is excited to contribute to a value driven company focused on the client and candidate experience.