About Hyland Solutions

Our Team

Mariann Hyland, JD, MSW (she/her)

Mariann Hyland, JD, MSW (she/her)

Founder, Hyland Solutions

As a bi-racial African American, growing up in rural America, Mariann learned first-hand the value of belonging, understanding differences, and bridging divides.  These values led Mariann to her first career as a labor and employment attorney.

After several years in private practice, focusing on labor and employment law, Mariann became a leader in operations and administration of large and complex organizations, including Oregon’s largest health sciences university, flagship undergraduate university, state bar association, and one of the largest community foundations in the country. Over the course of her 24-year career as an organizational leader, Mariann provided leadership for human resources, organizational culture, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI), labor relations, civil rights compliance, risk management, and public safety.

As a life-long learner, Mariann earned a BS from the University of Oregon, a JD from the University of Oregon School of Law, and an MSW from Portland State University. She also completed a two-year interprofessional ethics fellowship program at Oregon Health and Sciences University. Currently, Mariann is enrolled in an accredited program through the College of Executive Coaching.

Sophia Jappinen (she/her)

Sophia Jappinen (she/her)

Leadership Coach & Organizational Systems Strategist

Sophia is an intellectually curious, versatile, compassionate leadership coach and electrical system design engineer with over a decade of experience in the media system design industry. Sophia understands the bigger picture of how a system functions and maintains stability under change or uncertainty, given years of success delivering next-level frameworks in creating and implementing systems and technology initiatives for business growth, employee empowerment, and leadership development.

Sophia focuses on creating psychologically safe work cultures, trauma-informed leadership awareness, and heart-centered conflict resolution in her coaching and organizational consulting. In addition, she has a passion for designing strength-based organizational systems that empower individuals and teams.

Sophia earned her BS in electrical engineering from Florida International University and her Master’s in organizational effectiveness and leadership from Charter Oak State College. She is enrolled in the College of Executive Coaching and anticipates attaining her ICF certification by 2023. Sophia is inspired daily by her parents, husband, and two children. In her creative play time, Sophia designs workbooks that inspire individuals to masterfully reach for their highest creative expression and live their truth.

Donna Tyner (she/her)

Donna Tyner (she/her)

Senior DEI & Education Practice Consultant

Donna understands the depth of challenges facing school districts during our tumultuous times. She uses an equity lens to navigate polarization and bridge divides. Donna served two terms on the Beaverton School Board. She was the first person of color elected to serve on the board and was instrumental in forming the state-wide Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus, whose mission is to promote quality education for all students with emphasis on the unique needs of students of color.

In her private sector work, Donna’s DEI practice includes successfully developing the inaugural DEI program for the Greenbrier Companies, a leading supplier of equipment and services to global freight transportation markets in North America, South America, and Europe.

With over 35 years in the insurance and risk management field, Donna understands the risk management perspective of DEI as well as the business and ethical case for DEI. She uses her well-rounded knowledge and experience to address talent recruitment, employee retention, and the creation of a work environment that fosters psychological safety, diversity, respect, and belonging.

Donna earned a BA in Political Science from Willamette University and holds an Associate in Risk Management (ARM).

Hyland Solutions Journey

In Mariann’s role in Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity at Oregon Health & Science University, she became aware of the prevalence of stress and trauma experienced by all parties related to employment discrimination complaints. By completing an MSW at Portland State University, including a year-long emergency room practicum, she integrated trauma-informed and strength-based coaching into her work. This skill set enhanced Mariann’s ability to successfully facilitate the resolution of hundreds of civil rights complaints in a high volume, high stakes, and fast-paced environment.

Recognizing that civil rights compliance alone does not create inclusive, welcoming workplaces, and that systemic change is necessary for cultural transformation, Mariann undertook leading diversity as strategic change in organizations, and fostering leadership growth and development.

2020 presented a new challenge with the pandemic and civil rights uprising. Leveraging her legal, risk management, DEI, HR, and social work skills, Mariann provided organization-wide leadership for COVID-19 response and re-entry as the Vice President of People & Culture at Oregon Community Foundation. This experience prompted Mariann to seek additional training about trauma-informed systems change, the neurobiology of stress, fear and toxic racism, and mindfulness self-compassion. She discovered a passion for leading through crisis and change, leadership growth and development.

During the pandemic, individuals and organizations began reaching out to Mariann to seek her assistance with conflict resolution, training, and coaching. They needed someone who understood the complexities of organizations, DEI, and who could facilitate cross-cultural communication, bolster leadership development, and expand individual and organizational capacity to change. This sparked the creation of Hyland Solutions in 2021.

Representative Clients

Reynolds School District logo
Rose City Futsal logo
Washington State Bar Association logo
Reynolds School District logo
Rose City Futsal logo
Washington State Bar Association logo

Feeling Inspired? Get in Touch

We offer a complimentary consultation to explore the possibility of working together. We believe all stakeholders should have confidence in our ability to build a trusting relationship. We’re open and receptive to learning more about your needs.

Contact Us

We offer a complimentary consultation to explore the possibility of working together. We believe all stakeholders should have confidence in our ability to build a trusting relationship. We’re open and receptive to learning more about your needs.