Shaping the Future of Work — In Human Terms

About Wide Prairie Academy

Wide Prairie Academy stands at the intersection of people and technology — a place where over three decades of human resources leadership meet forward-thinking innovation. What makes Wide Prairie Academy unique is the uncommon blend of people-first expertise with a deep, practical understanding of AI and analytics. This dual perspective ensures that companies can adopt new tools and compliance strategies without losing sight of their most essential asset: their people.

That mission is clear: to prepare organizations for the future of work — in human terms. Wide Prairie Academy helps companies large and small create respectful, compliant, and forward-looking workplaces, while also introducing the tools and skills that drive future growth. The Academy’s vision is to show that compliance, culture, and innovation can move together, building organizations that are safe, inclusive, and future-ready.

Wide Prairie Academy acts as a true AI integration partner, guiding clients through a clear, data-informed journey: assessing current processes, designing tailored AI roadmaps, and building workflows that deliver real results. Each engagement is purposefully tailored to meet each client’s unique needs, balancing strategic insight with hands-on implementation. The focus is always on reducing administrative load, improving efficiency, and demonstrating ROI — all in ways that resonate with people, not in “tech speak.”

At its core, Wide Prairie Academy remains deeply rooted in human resources, people management, and leadership consulting — disciplines that have guided its work for more than three decades. Every partnership begins with a deep understanding of people, culture, and organizational goals, ensuring that technology is integrated with purpose. This unique balance of human insight and technical capability allows WPA to design solutions that are both innovative and practical.

Cultural and linguistic insight is also at the heart of Wide Prairie Academy. Drawing from Russ’s Latino background and decades of experience supporting multicultural workforces, the Academy delivers tailored Spanish language and workplace training programs that bridge communication gaps and strengthen inclusion. The team includes native Spanish speakers and professional translation capabilities, supported by AI tools that enhance training design and retention. This combination ensures that materials resonate authentically across languages while remaining adaptable and accessible.

Wide Prairie Academy helps organizations navigate transformation with confidence — integrating technology, culture, and leadership to create workplaces that thrive, always in human terms.  

About Russ Curry, Founder of Wide Prairie Academy

Russ Curry, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a recognized leader in human resources and organizational development, known for helping businesses blend innovation with people-first excellence. With more than 30 years of experience in HR, manufacturing, agriculture, health care, logistics, shipping, retail, and workforce development, Russ has built a career defined by insight, integrity, and forward thinking.

He has been recognized by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds as a minority-owned small business success story, served as President of the Iowa Senior Human Resources Association, and holds advanced certifications in Diversity and Inclusion.

This journey began a couple of years ago, during a period of growing administrative demand, when Russ found himself challenged by repetitive tasks and constant paperwork — frustrated by the tension between wanting an assistant and recognizing his tendency to micromanage. After weeks of dismissive hesitation, a collaborator introduced him to ChatGPT. The effect was immediate — what had consumed hours each week was streamlined in minutes, from policy writing to job descriptions and handbooks, and the quality of the output improved significantly. That early breakthrough opened the door to something larger: the realization that AI could transform not just his workload, but the very nature of leadership and organizational growth.

That moment reshaped his work — and his vision. It revealed that AI could empower leaders to rethink how work is done, measured, and communicated. Today, Russ and the Wide Prairie Academy team help organizations apply that same transformation to their own environments — building clarity, confidence, and capacity for a more human-centered future.   

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Ready to explore how consulting can transform your workplace?

Let’s talk about your goals and design a path forward — in human terms.