With more than 20 years of experience working in industries ranging from technology and hospitality to banking and healthcare, I approach my job with two end-goals in mind: to help businesses grow, and do whatever I can to assist every team member in reaching their goals.
Favorite Quote: “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” — Roald Dahl
Fun Fact: I took a sabbatical from work to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. While I didn’t complete the thru-hike due to injury, it was an amazing opportunity to challenge limiting beliefs I had and do something completely outside my comfort zone. It changed my life.
How do you unwind after a long day of work? I’m a big fan of the outdoors. Walking, biking, and going to the beach are my favorite ways to unwind after a long day.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? Perfectionism is a big deal that can cause me to spend too much time on different projects or tasks that don’t bring a return for the time spent. I’ve really learned to limit time spent on tasks and prioritize what’s important. Also, if I get stuck, I’ll leave what I’m working on and come back to it later in the day.
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? The best part of my career is watching people I’ve recruited and hired grow and develop into amazing leaders and contributors.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? PeakActivity CEO, Manish Hirapara, said there are very few decisions you can’t walk back from or course correct. That statement has absolutely changed how I work and how I get things done. I am more decisive and move quicker.
What qualities make for an outstanding HR professional? I believe integrity, compassion, and curiosity are at the top of my list. I’m also a learner. When I can approach situations, ideas, and the profession with these qualities, I find I can have an impact on those around me.
How have you adapted your HR skills to COVID? It’s almost like everything I’ve depended on to be successful in HR needed to be utilized times 10. Our remote world has required more compassion and curiosity than ever before to make sure we are all connected and not feeling on our own. I’ve also had to learn more about infectious diseases. As a technology company, we are fortunate to be able to work remotely, but we want to ensure our teams are safe when we do return to the office.
What are some misconceptions about HR and how do you combat them? The biggest misconception about HR is that we are paper pushers. I enjoy the tactical aspects of HR but find I can be more effective when I understand what’s going on with the business. Understanding business challenges and the strategic direction of the organization helps me align our people strategies in the best possible way. Nothing feels better than being proactive to support the growth of the business.
What do you like most about working in HR? I love sharing who PeakActivity is and what we do with candidates and new hires. We have such a unique and wonderful culture and watching people grow and learn with us is the best!!!
