Greenville SHRM recognizes top HR professionals

The Greenville chapter of SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management) recently announced the winners of its annual HR Awards.

Greenville SHRM President Jennifer Floyd says, “Change in the workplace is the new constant, placing tremendous responsibility on HR professionals to keep the ship upright. This year’s award winners are navigating the waves of change exceptionally well.”

The winners of the 2022 Greenville SHRM HR Awards are:

HR Rising Star Award
Kristyn Dees, SHRM-CP
HR/Accounting Manager, Think Up Consulting

Since joining SHRM as a new HR professional in 2017, Dees has been on a rapid progression of leadership at her place of employment –– Think Up Consulting –– and Greenville SHRM. At Think Up she has been instrumental in developing new ways to enhance and strengthen employee engagement. Likewise, she will serve on the 2023 board of directors of Greenville SHRM as Membership Chair, having served as a vital committee member in 2022.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
CommunityWorks
CommunityWorks is committed to creating a brighter future for financially underserved people and places in South Carolina by providing equitable financial products and services to build wealth. In 2022, the organization made great strides to align their practices with their mission and vision via several DEI initiatives, including:

• Forming a Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee to set internal goals for DEI work
• Drafting, adopting, and releasing a new Racial Equity Statement
• Having all staff undergo comprehensive training to ensure a common language for internal and external communications
• Implementing a staff DEI book club
• Completing a compensation and organizational analysis aligned with industry and company DEI goals
• Reworking the vendor process to intentionally seek and utilize diverse vendors.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Unsung Hero Award
Laura Bogardus, PhD, SHRM-SCP

Co-founder and President, Noble Aim Consulting
Bogardus firmly believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with the addition of belonging and accessibility (DEIBA), is a state of being that must be embodied as a formative aspect of one’s character, and by extension, of one’s organization. DEIBA is not something that happens occasionally or as a stand-alone initiative. Currently, she directs a collaboration of disability service providers to promote cooperation across agencies for the purpose of greater access to competitive employment for people with disabilities. The State of SC is interested in replicating this model, which she developed and leads along with her business partner.

Human Resources Professional of the Year Award
Rick Silva, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Director of Talent Management, Interim Healthcare of the Upstate
This former U.S. Army veteran-turned-HR professional puts as much energy and passion into his HR career as he did into serving our country. Since joining Interim Healthcare in 2019, Silva has led several game-changing strategies that have significantly improved the company’s hiring and onboarding efficiencies, increased staff despite nationwide shortages of healthcare workers, and improved worker productivity. By introducing analytical research to the organization, he played a tremendous role in the company’s recent successful expansion into other regions of the state.

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 that impact Greenville’s business environment. The organization’s 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.