Trina Peterson-Garcia, Ph.D.
As Director, Human Resources, Trina Peterson-Garcia (Dr. Trina) brings a people-centric philosophy to the Financial Health Network to shape the organization’s culture, foster engagement, and support the growth of a talented team. With more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources, Dr. Trina is a respected thought partner and leader who consistently challenges the status quo to encourage continuous improvement. Dr. Trina joined the Financial Health Network because she admires the organization’s commitment to improving financial health and well-being for individuals and communities.
In her role, Dr. Trina upholds the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, innovation, and employee development by creating people-centered programs and policies. Before joining the Financial Health Network, she served as Senior Human Resources Business Partner and Regional Talent Development Leader at Gensler, where she excelled in leadership development, cultural transformation, strategic alignment, and performance management. She was also an Employee Relations Partner at Ulta Beauty Corporate. Trina is a member of the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and she sits on the Board of Directors of Humble Design Chicago, a nonprofit that provides housing for individuals, families, and veterans emerging from homelessness.
Beyond her organizational leadership, Dr. Trina serves as an adjunct professor at National Louis University, where she equips emerging leaders to navigate complex systems with self-awareness, critical thinking, and authenticity. Her research and professional work focus on equity, organizational disparities, and the systems that shape access, advancement, and experience within workplaces and institutions.
Dr. Trina holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology/Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Social Work from Benedictine University.
