The HR Awards is a program that recognizes HR professionals in Northeast Ohio who have demonstrated excellence in the field of human resource management. These professionals are nominated by their peers for their achievements and skills within their field. We were able to get the inside scoop from the 2016 winners! Here are some insights from industry leaders in Northeast Ohio:
Aimee Lorig, HR Manager at BevCorp
Award for Compensation and Benefits
How did you get started in HR?
Growing up, I was always at the center of organizing and planning events; I loved filling out paperwork and keeping lists for my parents. My report cards all spoke of my people skills as I was the “social butterfly” of every class. Immaturely, and as many still do, I thought that’s what HR is all about. I got started in HR because I convinced the HR Manager at my prior company to let me try my hand as her Assistant. She did and I fell in love with the field. It was so much more than just planning parties and keeping track of employees. I learned about insurance, compensation, benefits, the law, analytics, and data—these topics still keep me excited to come to work every day.
Lindsay Latessa, Manager of Talent Acquisition at Hyland Software
Award for Emerging Leader
What is the most important lesson you’ve gained from working in HR?
It’s important to think about each individual and the impact that you could potentially have on their life. The way you interact with each person shapes their view of your company. You truly are a part of the brand of your employer.
Michelle Leighton, VP of Organizational Development at Medical Services Company
Award for Business Leadership
What is the best part of your job?
In my role, I get to develop, coach and provide consult to at every level within the organization. To watch a co-worker learn and grow in their role, that is success.
Stephanie Boledovic, HR Manager at Lubrizol
Award for Employee Relations
Tell us a story or a mantra that has inspired you to stay in HR over the years.
I have not always stayed in HR. As I was approaching my 10 year anniversary with MedQuist I looked back over my career and came to the realization that I was not where I wanted to be and that where I wanted to be was in HR. I knew it would be a challenge to get back into HR after being away for that long, but I have always been one for a challenge.
Maria Gaeta, Corporate Director of Human Resources at Mar-Bal, Inc.
Award for Organizational & Employee Development
How did you get started in HR? What sparked your interest and dedication to the field?
I was actually in High School when I got started as I accepted a part time “Personnel Assistant” position at an engineering recruiting company. I enjoyed learning about the field of engineering and working with customers and engineers to match jobs with needs. I went full time when I graduated and was at that company almost 12 years and was able to grow with the organization and provided training and development to our other locations and help to implement our software package and trained others on our system. I went back to school twice for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and obtained my HR certification. From there, I worked at a local consulting firm and had the opportunity to continue to grow in the field and set up and managed the human resources practice. I was with the organization for 10 years and then started my own consulting company. I love the energy of working with leadership in organizations and assisting the company and its people realize their goals. It was always fun for me to see my clients win awards for growth or see them in the news or opening a new facility and know that I was part of their success. Mar-Bal was one of my consulting clients a number of years ago, so when they were looking to add this position to their team I reached out to Scott to express my interest in the newly-created role!
Gary Szelagowski, AVP of Talent Management at Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Award for Talent Management
What advice would you give to your peers in HR?
Never forget that what you do impacts lives, and lives way beyond employees in many instances: their families, your firm’s customers, the community in which you do business. The “human” in HR is a pretty big audience.
Linda Langman, Client Service Executive at Hylant
Award for HR Partner
Tell us a story or a mantra that has inspired you to stay in HR over the years.
“A job worth doing, is worth doing right”—iWe had a poster with this saying in our home when my children were young. Although my husband hung it to inspire our daughters improve their performance on chores—ifeeding the dog can get messy—iit’s often served as a reminder for me to slow down and focus on doing the best I can with each and every task, every project, and every relationship.
Vicky DePiore, HR Manager & Diversity Focal at United Technologies Aerospace Systems
Award for Diversity
What is the most important lesson you’ve gained from working in HR?
Understanding that there is no “cookie-cutter” approach to any problem when it involves people. There are so many nuances, personalities, motives, etc., that they must all be taken into careful consideration.
Paige Barkume, HR Intern at Jergens, Inc.
Award for HR Intern
What do you hope to accomplish in a HR career?
I hope to become an HR manager in which I am able to implement organizational change, enhance value for both my employer and employees, and take on challenging projects with a team.
The HR Awards 2016 Finalists
- Veonta Pride, NE Ohio Regional Sewer District
- Sarah Eppink, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
- Amanda Bradley, National General Insurance
- Amy McMullen, Lincoln Electric
- Monica Brown, Cleveland Foundation
