For the past 30 years, Stephanie C. Harper, PHRca, CHRM, CCP, has worked in the human resources field with some of America’s most prominent business entities. First as an employee, then a Business Consultant, Stephanie has been a leader in the human resources world making indelible marks and leaving an impact on those whom she encounters.
Gifted with a “scribes anointing”, Stephanie has been writing since she was a child, where she would turn R&B songs into church songs. In high school she challenged her English teacher in the form of a poem during their daily journal requirement and this set the stage for her to share her writing with the world. With the help of her teacher, Stephanie submitted her first works to Hallmark, resulting in her first greeting card being published in the 10th grade.
After being laid off during the dot-com bust and seeking employment options, Stephanie frequently heard she was “overqualified.” Instead of letting the rejection define her, she used it as motivation to reinvent her career. That journey led her to write her first book in 2006, Why Should I Hire You?, a bold response to the very question employers kept asking. In 2008, Stephanie released her second book, entitled, A Kingdom Built Career, where she asked her father in the faith, Bishop Noel Jones to pen the foreword. With two best sellers to her credit, these books, set another stage for Stephanie as a subject matter expert in the career services field, and opened countless doors for her “to become” a well sought after speaker for conferences and worship centers. Following her first national feature in The Wall Street Journal, Stephanie quickly became a sought-after contributing writer and subject matter expert for numerous newspapers and magazines. She served as a regular contributor to the Atlanta Business Journal and Streaming Faith, where she introduced her column, “Careers and Christ,” column blending professional insight with spiritual guidance. Her first subject matter expert (SME) column appeared in Diversity News, marking the beginning of her influential voice in both career and faith-based media.
A true trailblazer, Stephanie became the first employment expert featured on both the Reggie Gay Gospel Show (91.9FM) and the nationally syndicated SGN The Light were her debut “Career Minute” reached over 2.5 million listeners. Her unique approach to using the Word of God for career strategies, gave her a dual audience to share her professional expertise and her love for God, simultaneously! This “careers and Christ” strategy of success continued to work in her favor and pique the interest of many. Stephanie has written over 15 books, and is soon to release A Labor of Love: Understanding Dementia. Not just a note to her “Granny”, but an educational tool written for others who may unexpectedly become caregivers as Stephanie. Caring for her grandmother from the age of 99 to 107, was the job Stephanie thought she was “under-qualified” for, but the one that gave her the most joy! She also understood this was part of God’s promise for long life in action.
As HR Director for one of the world’s largest faith-based hair care companies, Stephanie not only led core HR functions but also played a key role in hiring contractors for the company’s “world famous” annual hair show and staffing its media publication (a separate business entity). This exposure to the inner workings of media gave her a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective that sparked a new vision. No stranger to the world of media, in 2008, she launched CAREER Magazine to give readers a real-world, behind-the-scenes perspective of the workplace—something she found missing in traditional career publications, which often offered polished, journalistic takes instead of practical, hands-on insight from the employer’s side of the desk. The CAREER Magazine motto was simply, “Know Better, Do Better, Live Better!” As that was her message of hope for the readership. A gatherer of the people, Stephanie is the Founder of Careers and Coffee, which once hailed as “the place to be” as an Atlanta hotspot!
Stephanie’s proven success strategies have earned her appearances on several major television platforms, most notably, TBN, The Word Network and The Steve Harvey TV Show, where she often jokes that she was an invited guest before Oprah or Michelle Obama. Whether by divine order or pure scheduling luck, it’s a fun fact that adds flair to her bio and reflects her journey and rite of passage to standing among celebrated Queens.
Speaking of Queens, Stephanie is the Founder of the Quintessential Queens Conference and Retreat —a royal gathering that continues to empower women across the country. Held annually since 2013, The Queens gather during the first weekend of March, and proudly ushers in Women’s International Month with inspiration, sisterhood, and purpose.
The Chief People Officer of H.A.R.P.E.R., LLC, Stephanie is a true serial entrepreneur, – known as The HR Compliance Coach—where she partners with businesses seeking expert guidance in human resources. With a sharp eye for compliance and a heart for people, she helps organizations navigate complex HR challenges with clarity and confidence. H.A.R.P.E.R., LLC is not just her last name, but her vision of Having A Resource Propels Excellent Results!
Stephanie’s latest venture is an expressive dress line (www.sayitonadress.com) designed to help women boldly proclaim that “Queens Rock” and they have G.O.A.L.S.—an acrostic for Go On And Live, Sis! Through fashion, inspiration, and purpose, Stephanie continues to be a powerful messenger. She sees her work as a form of marketplace ministry—an avenue through which God allows her to play her part in fulfilling the Great Commission.
From the very beginning, Stephanie’s life has been marked by divine purpose. She often says, “I’m like no one else you’ll ever meet,” not out of pride, but out of gratitude for the God who set her apart. Her birth alone is a testament to His sovereignty. After doctors told her mother she could no longer have children, God had the final say—bringing Stephanie into the world in a way that only He could orchestrate.
She was born at home, delivered by her father—a young Airman and father of six. As the baby of the family and the only girl, Stephanie learned early to find joy in her own company and to draw others in with charm and creativity. Due to complications at birth, she was monitored for brain damage until the age of three—but God’s hand never left her life. Today, when faced with trials, she declares with holy confidence: “If the devil couldn’t stop me then… he surely can’t stop me now.”~ Selah.
Beyond her professional achievements, Stephanie is a licensed minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. She walks boldly in her faith, unapologetically declaring the goodness of the Lord and acknowledging that she is nothing without His grace. While her journey is a reflection of her story, she remains deeply aware that it is only for God’s glory. She believes her book, A Kingdom Built Career, was divinely inspired—a message from God that continues to resonate nearly two decades later. For Stephanie, its enduring impact is a powerful reminder that only what she does for Him will truly last. Stephanie is a native of California and she continues to be “Stephanitely Successful” as she allows the Lord to order her steps! To contact Stephanie, you can reach her at http://www.StephanieHarper.com