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Excellence in HR Awards Honorees: Valerie Munoz

Valerie Munoz is a Human Resource professional with over 18 years experience and expertise in all aspects of Human Resources. Valerie has held HR leadership positions in various industries from hospitality to education and currently as the Director of Human Resources for National Jets, a private executive jet charter company.

Favorite Quote: “Your smile is your logo. Your personality is your business card. How you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark. — Jay Danzie

Fun Fact: I am a big fan of sci-fi fandoms. Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter, Marvel, DC, Game of Thrones, Disney. I love it all!

How do you unwind after a long day of work? I order in take-out and enjoy a great dinner and show with my family. The Mandolorian anyone?!

What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? There are so many! I think that a big part of a challenge is when fear creeps in and you don’t think you can handle it. I don’t allow that fear to overtake me and rely on my trusted and true support groups- my colleagues, my family and friends, my church. All of these people give me the confidence to trust in my abilities and face the challenge head-on with confidence.

What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? This is a hard question for me to answer because there have been many moments that have contributed in my career and have changed me for the better. For companies that were starting out and never had an HR department before, it was about providing critical solutions and efficiencies that forever changed their way of doing business. There have also been people that I’ve impacted- whether it was an employee going through a very difficult time and desperately needed someone to talk to or mentoring an up-and-comer that I could pour into my knowledge and passion for HR. All these things feel monumental to me. It’s about making a lasting impact.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Learn from the best. Seek out individuals that you admire and are doing what you want to do and learn from them.

What qualities make for an outstanding HR professional? Good Communicator, Trustworthy, Knowledgeable, Positive, Motivator and Good Sense of Humor

How have you adapted your HR skills to COVID? My main objective has been to be well informed. I seek out information from many trusted sources, ask colleagues about best practices and stay in touch with the latest developments.

What are some misconceptions about HR and how do you combat them? I think a big misconception is that those in HR are simply watchdogs who are only concerned with enforcement without concern for operations or people. That just isn’t the case. We are intermediaries who are always trying to fill the gap and bring people, policies and organizations together.

What do you like most about working in HR? I like the pace of the work and the fact that I am always busy. There is always something to do- an urgent employee issue, planning a new and creative recognition program, developing a handbook rewrite, coaching a manager through an issue of their own, etc. I’m never bored.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.