Greenville SHRM recognizes chapter award winners
December 29, 2021
The Greenville chapter of SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management) recently announced the winners of its annual HR Awards. Awards were presented at the chapter’s annual fundraising auction, which was sponsored by Total HR and raised $3,543 for the SHRM Foundation.
“Never before has so much been expected of HR professionals and people managers,” explained incoming Greenville SHRM President Jennifer Floyd. “This year’s award recipients embody the very best of our profession.”
The winners of the 2021 Greenville SHRM HR Awards are:
- HR Rising Star Award sponsored by Clemson MBA
- Courtney Goforth, SHRM-SCP
- Senior Human Resources Partner, GE Gas Power
A dual member of SHRM and GSHRM since 2017, Goforth has served as GSHRM membership director since 2018. In addition to leading three committees focused on singular aspects of membership, she also serves as Global Program Leader for an internal Diversity Program at GE Gas Power; is a member of GE’s Covid Engagement Task Force; and is the Global HR Business Partner for a new organization within GE Gas Power called Pivot to Value.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award sponsored by the Clemson Center for Corporate Learning
Think Up Consulting
Think Up Consulting helps employees develop a wide range of skills, education, and training to help strengthen the overall capabilities of the companies they work for. Think Up’s commitment to diversity begins at the top. A certified LGBT-owned business, a majority of Think Up’s senior leadership is female. In 2020, Think Up launched an internal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Team to educate and equip their employees with foundational DEIB knowledge to better serve each other and clients. The company also conducted a self-audit using SHRM’s online DEI Strategy Guide. As a result, they established KPIs focused on “belonging;” updated their job descriptions, interview process and questions, and new hire onboarding experience; and took measures to recruit diverse pool of job candidates.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Unsung Hero Award sponsored by the Clemson Center for Corporate Learning
Nicole Andrews, MHRD, CMCS
Vice President of HR, McMillan Pazdan Smith
In 2021, Andrews built the first-ever DEI task force at McMillan Pazdan Smith. Part of her work included planning a DEI training session for company leadership; leading a variety of company-wide presentations on DEI; and facilitating DEI listening sessions to inform the firm’s three-year DEI strategy. In addition to her DEI leadership at MPS, Andrews is involved in Greenville’s Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM) Commission, whose aim is to create a better Upstate and Greenville for all.
Human Resources Professional of the Year Award sponsored by Ogletree Deakins
Leanne Fuller, MHRD, SHRM- SCP, RCC
Human Resources Business Partner, Dodge Mechanical Power Transmission Company, Inc.
Highly regarded among her HR colleagues, Fuller successfully accomplished an astonishing number of projects this year in the areas of organizational effectiveness; workforce planning and sustainability; and safety and security. In addition to fulfilling the ongoing demands of her job –– including guiding the HR process through a corporate buyout –– Fuller dutifully fulfilled the demanding role of president of GSHRM. Her leadership has been an important source of strength for both her employer and GSHRM throughout 2020 and 2021.
Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Ogletree Deakins
Kelly Shumaker, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Vice President of Human Resources at Pharmaceutical Associates, Inc.
Throughout her career, Shumaker has made it a practice to be a resource far beyond the typical HR partner. She has negotiated cost savings in health plans to improve employee health benefits; led an effort to establish an on-site wellness center for employees, dependents, and contractors; led the Covid response efforts for her employer; took two plants from construction to manufacturing; and championed lean manufacturing outside of the HR realm.
For the past three years, Shumaker has guided several Greenville SHRM Workforce Sustainability committees, and was instrumental in the development of a program designed to assist military Veterans successfully transition to the civilian workforce. The program, which will soon be implemented by other SHRM chapters across the U.S., received a Pinnacle Award earlier this year, the highest honor bestowed by SHRM.
About GSHRM
Greenville SHRM (GSHRM) is the area’s premier human resource organization. With approximately 500 members, the chapter provides a forum for leadership and learning discussions that impact Greenville’s business environment. Our work helps attract and retain world class companies and talent in the Upstate community. GSHRM provides tremendous value to human resource and business professionals through educational opportunities, networking with community leaders and peers, and developing meaningful relationships that aid in professional and personal growth. Learn more at Together4HR.org and on LinkedIn.
